Humane Wildlife Control in New York City, NY
The Humane Wildlife Control Society recommends non-invasive solutions to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. This includes:
Determining if the issue needs to be addressed at all
Opting for preventative measures first
Opting for wildlife exclusion as opposed to trapping
If trapping is the only way to solve the problem do so humanely
The Humane Wildlife Control Society screens candidates prior to recommendation. Our process requires any company we recommend to meet the following criteria:
Is properly licensed in New York for wildlife control
Carries appropriate business licenses and insurance
Complies with all New York laws and regulations for wildlife control
Adheres to the humane principles listed above.
In New York City, New York we recommend Humane Wildlife Removal New York City for professional wildlife control services. This is a private company that charges for their services.
Contact Information:
Wildlife Removal New York City
347-650-2446
If you have any wildlife issues that can be handled by the state government agency for free, the New York Wildlife Commission can help.
State Contact Information: (518) 402-8883
The State Department of Agriculture may also be able to address your wildlife problem for no charge.
USDA Contact Information: (518) 457-2771
New York City Policy on Humane Animal Control Policy Statement Humane Control Strategies Exclusion and Structural Protection: Preventing wildlife entry is the cornerstone of this policy. Property owners must seal access points—rooftops, vents, and basement gaps—with durable materials like stainless steel mesh or concrete, per NYSDEC recommendations. One-way exclusion devices, validated by Humane Society of the United States studies, allow animals such as bats or squirrels to exit buildings without re-entry, ensuring no harm. In NYC’s high-rise and brownstone architecture, this method is critical to block access without disrupting urban infrastructure.
Official Guidelines for Ethical Urban Wildlife Management
New York City, New York, a global metropolis spanning five boroughs— Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—encompasses over 8 million residents within a dense urban grid interwoven with parks, rivers, and coastal edges. This environment sustains a resilient wildlife population—raccoons, squirrels, bats, pigeons, and rats—that thrives alongside human activity, from Central Park to the Staten Island Greenbelt. These animals, while integral to the city’s ecosystem, pose significant challenges: property damage, public health risks (e.g., rabies, per DOHMH data), and safety concerns. The New York City government establishes this policy on humane animal control to balance community welfare with ethical treatment of wildlife, mandating humane, effective strategies across all boroughs. This essay delineates the city’s official stance, regulatory framework, and enforcement measures, reflecting our commitment to a safe, sustainable urban landscape.
The City of New York prohibits inhumane wildlife control practices—lethal traps, poisons, or any method causing unnecessary suffering—under municipal law and New York State regulations. Such tactics endanger public health, harm non-target species, and contravene the ethical standards upheld by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Our policy mandates humane animal control as the exclusive approach, emphasizing prevention, exclusion, and regulated removal over eradication. This is not a discretionary guideline but a binding directive, rooted in science, law, and the city’s responsibility to its residents and environment.
New York City enforces the following humane methods, informed by wildlife management research and tailored to our urban density:
Live Trapping and Restricted Relocation: When exclusion is insufficient, live traps—secure, baited cages—are deployed by NYSDEC-licensed professionals to capture nuisance wildlife. New York State law (Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0524) restricts relocation of rabies vector species (raccoons, bats, skunks) due to disease risks—NYC reported 25 rabies cases in 2022 (DOHMH)—requiring on-site management or humane euthanasia only in extreme cases. Non-vectors like squirrels may be relocated within borough limits to suitable habitats, such as Pelham Bay Park, with strict oversight.
Habitat Modification and Sanitation: Reducing attractants aligns with NYC Health Code (Article 151). Residents and businesses must secure trash in rodent-proof containers—a priority in the city’s rat mitigation zones—and eliminate food sources like pet bowls or bird feeders in problem areas. The NYC Department of Sanitation enforces this through regular inspections, cutting wildlife incentives by up to 60%, per Wildlife Society estimates.
New York City’s Urban-Wildlife Interface
NYC’s unparalleled density—27,000 people per square mile—and 14,000 acres of parkland create a unique wildlife challenge. Cold winters drive raccoons and squirrels into tenements and subway tunnels—NYSDEC notes peak activity in January—while spring breeding swells pigeon and rat populations in areas like the Lower East Side or Flushing. The city’s aging infrastructure—19th-century rowhouses, skyscraper HVAC systems—offers endless entry points, amplified by coastal proximity to the Hudson River and Atlantic. Rats, a persistent issue, thrive on 13 million pounds of daily waste (DSNY data), necessitating targeted humane control. This policy addresses these pressures systematically, prioritizing public health and structural integrity without ecological harm.
