City of St. Thomas

Feral Cats

Understanding and How to Help Feral Cats in Your Neighbourhood

Feral cats are the wild offspring of domestic cats.  This is usually the result of the owner not confining their unspayed/unneutered cat, or abandoning their 'intact' cat.

A female cat can have up to 3 litters per year, with up to 5 kittens per litter which in turn can start breeding as early as 4 months.   This why there is an overpopulation of free roaming feral cats. 

The City of St. Thomas recognizes this is a problem and is committed to humanely stopping the cycle of unwanted litters through their Community Cat Program of Trap - Neuter - Return (TNR).

If you see a cat with part of its left ear removed or altered, this indicates the cat has been spayed/neutered for population control.  Please do not bring a 'feral' cat into the shelter.  Unlike homeless friendly strays that can be taken to the shelter for adoption, these cats do not trust people and should be left alone to live their lives as they are unadoptable.

Though once spayed/neutered, feral cats do play a valuable role in the community.  They reduce the population of unwanted species in your neighbourhood such as moles, mice and rats which may transmit diseases; and, because these cats are territorial, they will keep out other cats.  You can help them by providing food and water.  And we can help you by ensuring these cats will stop reproducing.

A 'feral' cat that is not ear tipped, can be spayed/neutered free of charge.  Assistance is also available to help trap these cats.

If you have a feral cat on your property or in your area that does not appear to be ear-tipped, please call:  Animal Services about the Community Cat Program at 519 631-7430

Together we will stop these unwanted litters.

 

If you would like to report a case of animal abuse or neglect please call Ontario Animal Protection at 1-833-926-4625. If you feel that the situation is an emergency that must be dealt with immediately call the police at 519-631-1364.

If you need to surrender your pet please be aware there is a $50 charge per animal. We accept dogs from St. Thomas, the Townships of Central Elgin and Southwold. Only cats from St. Thomas will be accepted when room permits. We also have a cat waiting list which you can be placed on to bring in a cat as soon as room is available, if there is no room at the time of your inquiry. 

Please fill out the application. 

Animal Services will contact you after reviewing it to discuss next steps. Any vet records, and information you can give us regarding the surrendered animal is key to finding a new home for your pet. Please consider professional behaviour advice/services for a pet that has a behaviour problem that you are having difficulty dealing with. In some cases undiscovered medical conditions can cause a pet's negative behaviour, and should always be ruled out as a cause for the behaviour. We highly recommend contacting rescue groups first to see if they would be able to take in your animal, see the Rescue Resources page for a list of rescue groups. We reserve the right to refuse any owner surrender.

Raccoons

Raccoons are incredibly intelligent creatures who have learned to adapt to the urban landscape.

Did you know it’s normal to spot a raccoon out during the day?

A mother raccoon may have up to seven babies to care and raise on her own, that’s a lot of mouths to feed! Being seen out and about during the day doesn’t mean they require help.

Some indicators that a raccoon might be sick or injured include:

• Visible injuries such as limping or bleeding
• Discharge around the eyes and/or nose
• No fear of human/domestic pets (when being approached)
• Sleeping in high traffic areas or in the open during the day on ground level

If you encounter a raccoon exhibiting any of these behaviors, please call the City of St. Thomas at 519-631-1680.

Canadian Wildlife Federation:

(https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/fauna/mammals/raccoon.html)

Skunks

An encounter with a skunk can be an unpleasant one if you don’t heed their warnings! It is normal to see skunks out, especially around dusk and dawn. If you give them their space skunks are happy to leave you alone!

For more information about living with Skunks please visit: Ontario SPCA

How to Avoid a Skunk Spray

• Skunks can give off warning signs before spraying
• Stomping their front legs
• Hissing and mock charging
• Raising their tail
• Aiming their hind end towards you

You can look for these warning signs to avoid that lasting smell!

Identifying Sick or Injured Skunks

Skunks may also exhibit abnormal behaviors similar to raccoons

• Pacing or circling
• Stumbling, weaving or staggering
• No fear of humans/pets
• Sleeping in high traffic areas or in the open during the day

If you encounter a skunk exhibiting any of these behaviors, please call the City of St. Thomas at 519-631-1680.

Coyotes

Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets.  They re active during the day and night, particularly dusk and dawn.

Remember these tips when dealing with coyotes:

• Never feed any wildlife.  This will ensure the maintain their natural instincts and their wariness towards humans.
• Clean under bird feeders and fruit trees regularly.
• Do not leave pet food or water bowls outside.
• Never approach coyotes, their den or their young.
• Never approach coyotes, an injured coyote or pup.  Contact an Authorized Wildlife Rehabilitator.
• If you see a coyote, do not run or scream.  Yell “GO AWAY” and make loud noises with pans or a plastic bag until they leave the area.
• Keep all garbage and recycling secure and do not put it out until collection day.

For more information on coyotes please visit Coyote Watch Canada.

 

Additional Resources and Contact Information

Sick or Injured Skunks and Raccoons:

• City Animal Services will pick up sick or injured skunks or raccoons on public and private property within St. Thomas. 
• The City will not pick up any skunks or raccoons that are acting normal or appear healthy or skunks/raccoons located within or under a private structure.
• City of St. Thomas at 519-631-1680.

Sick/Injured wildlife excluding skunks and raccoons:

• Another Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation: 519-868-1937
• FurEver Wildlife Rehabilitation: 519-777-6440

Orphan Wildlife including skunks and raccoons:

• Another Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation: 519-868-1937
• FurEver Wildlife Rehabilitation: 519-777-6440

Healthy Wildlife:

• Contact a private pest control company

Foxes, Deer, Coyotes:

• Ministry of Natural Resources: 519-773-9241 or 1-877-847-7667 after hours.

Injured Birds

• Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Services: 519-264-2440

Animal Abuse or Neglect:

• Ontario Animal Protection: 1-833-926-4625
• St. Thomas Police: 519-631-1224

Other Contacts:

• Authorized Wildlife Rehabilitators List:https://learningcompass.learnflex.net/Upload/Public/WildlifeRehabilitatorsPublicList.htm

Stray dogs or cats found in the City of St. Thomas can be picked up by any resident and delivered to The City Animal Services Centre to be sheltered. Feral cats please see Community Cat Program - Feral Cats above for services available. All stray cats must be friendly and able to be handled by humans.

Dogs and cats may be reclaimed by an owner with proper payment of the redemption fee. Redemption fees cover impound charges and board (of every day including part of a day). If a dog or cat is not claimed within 72 hours of impound the owner forfeits the pet and all rights to it. All unclaimed pets beyond the redemption period are screened for temperament and health. Staff members may be away from the shelter throughout the day. It is best to call ahead and set up a time to drop in. Call 519-631-7430 to make an appointment.

Animal Rescue Resources

St. Thomas Rescue Groups

All Breed Canine Rescue - dogs and cats available to adopt or foster
Animal Aide - cats available to adopt or foster
Pet Friends 4 Life - cats available to adopt or foster

Partners in Rescue

Animalert - dogs and cats available to adopt or foster
Art4Animals
Art 4 Animals: cat rescue, foster and adoption program servicing London, St. Thomas, and area. Also supports St. Thomas low income residents with the spay/neuter of their cats and dogs.  Eligibility is based on the criteria established by EVAH, East Village Animal Hospital.
Gentle Jake's Coonhound Rescue - coonhounds available to adopt or foster
Golden Rescue - golden retrievers available to adopt or foster
Holly's Hope - cats available to adopt or foster
Labrador Retriever Adoption Services Inc. - labs available to adopt or foster
Paws United Dog Rescue - dogs available to adopt
Second Chance Auction Animal Rescue - cats and dogs available to adopt or foster
Speaking of Dogs - dogs available to adopt or foster
East Village Animal Hospital - veterinary services for low income individuals, those on social assistance, animal rescue groups, human societies and municipal shelters

St. Thomas Dog Owners Association

St. Thomas Dog Owners Association, STDOA, promotes off leash dog parks and supports responsible dog ownership and the welfare of dogs. For further information on the St. Thomas Dog Owners Association, please visit their Facebook group.

The St. Thomas Dog Owners Association has partnered with the Caring Cupboard Food Bank in St. Thomas to create the Caring Pet Cupboard to provide an easy network to collect and distribute pet food donations to people who need it.

Lost or stray dogs or cats can be turned in by residents or captured by City Animal Services staff. Please contact The City Animal Services Centre at 519-631-7430. For a list of lost and adoptable dogs and cats please visit our Petfinder webpage.

Upon entering a dog or cat as stray or lost, City Animal Services staff scans for the presence of an identification microchip. If a microchip is found, ownership information is obtained and the lost or stray animal is returned to the owner. The City Animal Services Centre recommends that owners microchip their dogs and cats.

Rats are common in urban areas. The risk of rats spreading diseases is low, but they can cause damage to homes and property. While rats generally avoid contact with humans, they will enter your home to seek food, water and shelter if given a chance.

Tips on Rat Control