When animals invade your property or pose a threat, it can be challenging to know which service to contact—animal control or wildlife removal.
While these services may seem similar, they cater to vastly different needs.
Knowing when to call either of them can save you time money, and potentially avoid harm to both you and the animal involved.
In this article, we will discuss the differences between animal control and wildlife removal, and when you should contact each service in Australia.
Let’s get straight to the point
Animal control and wildlife removal serve different purposes. Animal control, typically run by local councils, deals with domestic animals like stray dogs, cats, and aggressive pets.
They also manage pet vaccinations, population control, and animal shelters.
Wildlife removal, on the other hand, is a private service that focuses on safely removing wild animals like possums or snakes from properties.
Wildlife removal experts handle damage repair, sanitisation, and future prevention.
It’s important to hire professionals for both services to ensure safety, compliance with laws, and proper handling of animals.
Evaluation of the Circumstances: Wildlife Removal Vs. Animal Control
At first glance, animal control and wildlife removal may seem like they cover the same ground.
However, their focus areas and responsibilities differ significantly. Before calling either service, it’s essential to assess your situation.
Here are a few questions to help you determine whether you need animal control or wildlife removal:
- Is this a feral or stray animal, or is it a wild creature?
- Is the animal residing inside your home, such as in the walls or attic?
- Is the animal a threat to public health or safety?
- Is cleanup or sanitisation necessary after removing the animal?
- Are there any regulations or legal requirements involved in the animal’s removal?
If most of your answers lean toward the presence of wild animals, wildlife removal may be your best option.
However, if the animal in question is domestic or stray, animal control is more appropriate.
Let’s dive deeper into the key differences between animal control and wildlife removal, so you can make the right decision when faced with an animal-related issue.
What is Animal Control?
Animal control is a public service designed to protect the community from dangerous or lost domestic animals.
In Australia, animal control services deal primarily with pets like dogs, cats, and sometimes livestock, responding to complaints about strays, dog bites, and animal cruelty.
When Should I Call Animal Control?
You should contact animal control if you are dealing with domesticated animals such as stray dogs or cats.
Additionally, if you come across an animal that appears rabid or injured on public property, this is a matter for animal control.
Local councils in Australia typically manage animal control services, and they operate within strict legal frameworks.
What Services Do Animal Control Agencies Provide?
Animal control offers several vital services to ensure the safety and welfare of both animals and the public:
1. Rabies Treatment and Prevention
Although Australia is rabies-free, animal control officers work to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases like parvovirus and distemper. They also assist in managing vaccination programs for household pets.
2. Population Control
To help curb the problem of overpopulation among dogs and cats, animal control agencies promote and sometimes offer low-cost spay and neuter programs.
3. Shelter and Adoption
Animal control services often manage animal shelters where stray or lost pets are housed.
These shelters frequently offer adoption services and basic animal care, including vaccinations, spaying, and neutering.
4. Aggressive Dog Complaints
Animal control officers handle complaints about aggressive dogs, ensuring the safety of the public.
If the dog is deemed a danger, they may conduct an investigation and take appropriate action.
What is Wildlife Removal?
Wildlife removal is a service provided by licensed professionals that deals with native or invasive wild animals that enter homes or properties and pose a risk.
Unlike animal control, wildlife removal focuses on safely and humanely removing wild creatures from your property, ensuring they are relocated or, in extreme cases, eradicated.
When Should I Call Wildlife Removal?
You should contact a wildlife removal service when you notice signs of wild animals making their way into your property, such as scratching noises in the attic, foul odours, or physical sightings of animals like possums, snakes, or birds.
These professionals are trained to handle wild species safely, using humane traps and relocation methods when appropriate.
What Services Do Wildlife Removal Agencies Provide?
Wildlife removal professionals in Australia are skilled at handling various species, from marsupials like possums to reptiles like snakes. Here are some services they provide:
1. Removal of Animals from Homes
If animals such as possums, rats, or snakes enter your home, wildlife removal specialists can safely capture and relocate them.
2. Damage Repair and Cleanup
Wild animals can cause extensive damage to homes, including chewed wires, damaged insulation, and urine or faeces contamination.
Wildlife removal experts not only remove the animal but also assist with damage repair and sanitisation.
3. Prevention of Future Infestations
Wildlife removal services often include prevention measures, such as sealing entry points and installing deterrents, to ensure the animals don’t return.
The Risks of DIY Wildlife Removal
Attempting to handle wildlife on your own is not advisable, as it comes with several risks:
1. Property Damage
Without the proper equipment and expertise, trying to trap and remove wild animals yourself can lead to property damage.
Wild animals often panic when cornered and may destroy parts of your home in their attempt to escape.
2. Personal Injury
Wild animals, unlike pets, can be dangerous when they feel threatened. Attempting to remove animals like snakes, bats, or possums without the proper skills could result in injury.
Snake bites and scratches from distressed animals are common hazards.
3. Health Risks and Disease
Wild animals are often carriers of zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted to humans.
Possums, for example, can carry leptospirosis, while bats may transmit Hendra virus. Professionals have the necessary training and gear to manage these risks effectively.
Animal Control vs. Wildlife Removal: Key Differences
While animal control and wildlife removal both aim to manage animal-related issues, they differ in several key aspects:
1. Type of Animals
- Animal Control: Primarily deals with domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, and livestock.
- Wildlife Removal: Focuses on wild animals like possums, snakes, birds, and other native Australian wildlife.
2. Service Provider
- Animal Control: Typically run by local councils and funded by the government, providing services as part of public safety efforts.
- Wildlife Removal: Offered by private companies, with fees paid by the homeowner.
3. Scope of Services
- Animal Control: Primarily handles stray animals, rabid or dangerous pets, and ensures compliance with local pet laws.
- Wildlife Removal: Focuses on the safe capture and removal of wild creatures, including repair of any damage and prevention of future infestations.
4. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Both animal control and wildlife removal in Australia operate under strict laws and regulations.
Wildlife removal experts must hold licences to handle certain species, and in some cases, animals like snakes and possums are protected by law, meaning they cannot be harmed or relocated without permission.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional for Animal and Wildlife Removal
When it comes to removing animals, whether domestic or wild, hiring a professional is always the best option.
Not only do they have the experience and knowledge to safely manage the situation, but they are also equipped with the tools necessary to avoid property damage and personal injury.
Additionally, professionals are aware of the legal obligations related to the handling and removal of animals in Australia.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between animal control and wildlife removal is essential for resolving animal-related issues efficiently and safely.
If you are dealing with stray or domesticated animals, animal control is the appropriate service to contact.
However, if you are facing problems with wildlife, a licensed wildlife removal service is your best option.
In Australia, where a wide variety of native wildlife exists, it’s crucial to rely on the expertise of professionals to ensure both the safety of the animals and the well-being of your household.
Whether it’s removing a snake from your backyard or helping a lost dog find its way home, knowing who to call can make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Wildlife Removal Services Approach Dealing With Wild Animals?
Wildlife Removal services use specialised techniques to trap, remove, and relocate wild animals, focusing on humane practices that ensure the animal’s welfare.
Can Animal Control Assist With Nuisance Wildlife On Private Property?
Generally, Animal Control agencies focus on domestic animal issues. For wildlife on private property, Wildlife Removal services are usually contacted.
Do Animal Control Agencies And Wildlife Removal Services Collaborate?
There can be collaboration between these entities, especially if there are overlapping concerns or when a situation involves both domestic and wild animals.
Are The Methods Used By Animal Control And Wildlife Removal Services Different?
Yes, while Animal Control often focuses on capturing stray pets using nets or traps, Wildlife Removal employs specialised traps and techniques tailored to wild animal behaviour.
Can Animal Control Agencies Handle Emergencies Involving Wildlife?
In some cases, especially when an animal poses an immediate threat to public safety, Animal Control may respond until a Wildlife Removal service is available.
