Animal Control Services: Complete Guide
Strange noises in the attic at 3 a.m. A torn vent cover you didn’t notice until now. A skunk that’s taken up residence under your deck. These situations send most homeowners straight to their phones, searching for help—but knowing who to call makes all the difference.
Animal control services resolve conflicts between humans and animals, whether that’s a stray dog on your street or a raccoon family living above your bedroom. This guide covers the types of animals handled, when to call for help, what humane removal looks like, and how to tell the difference between municipal services and private wildlife removal companies serving the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
What are animal control services?
Animal control services help resolve conflicts between humans and animals. The term actually covers two different things: municipal animal control agencies that handle domestic animals like stray dogs and cats, and private wildlife removal companies that deal with wild animals getting into homes.
Municipal animal control focuses on pet-related issues. Think stray dogs, barking complaints, injured cats found on the road, and licensing enforcement. Private wildlife control is different. It handles raccoons in your attic, squirrels chewing through your soffit, bats roosting in your walls, and similar situations where wild animals have moved into your living space.
Knowing which one to call saves time. A raccoon in your garage? That’s a private wildlife company. A stray dog wandering your street? That’s municipal animal control.
Types of animals handled by professional animal control
Private wildlife removal companies deal with a range of animals commonly found in Ottawa-Gatineau homes. Each species behaves differently and requires a specific approach.
Raccoons
Raccoons are clever, strong, and persistent. In spring and summer, females look for quiet, sheltered spaces to raise their young, and attics fit the bill perfectly. They can tear through roofing materials, rip apart soffits, and cause serious damage to insulation. Once they settle in, they’re not eager to leave.
Squirrels
Squirrels slip into attics through surprisingly small gaps in rooflines and vents. The real concern? They chew constantly. Electrical wiring, wooden beams, insulation—nothing is off limits. Chewed wires create fire hazards, and the damage adds up quickly.
Bats
Bats present health concerns because their droppings, called guano, can contain spores that cause histoplasmosis when disturbed. Ontario wildlife regulations also protect bats, so removal requires specific techniques. Handling a bat situation without professional help can result in fines or incomplete removal.
Birds
Birds nest in dryer vents, bathroom exhaust vents, and gaps along eaves. A blocked vent creates a fire risk and can introduce mites into your home. The nests themselves often contain parasites that spread once the birds are gone, making professional bird removal important.
Skunks
Skunks like to den under decks, porches, and garden sheds. Beyond the obvious spray concern, they can carry rabies and dig up lawns while hunting for grubs. Removing a skunk without triggering its defensive response takes experience and the right equipment.
Mice and rats
Mice and rats reproduce fast. A single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a year, so a small problem becomes a big one quickly. They contaminate food storage areas, leave up to 25,000 droppings per year throughout wall cavities, and chew through materials to build nests.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs dig extensive burrow systems near foundations, patios, and sheds. Over time, the tunnels can undermine structural integrity and destroy landscaping. Filling in one hole rarely solves the problem since the tunnel network often extends further than expected.
Wasps and bees
Wasps and bees become most active in late summer and early fall. Nests hidden in wall voids, soffits, or attic spaces pose sting risks, particularly for anyone with allergies. Removing an active nest without proper protection is dangerous.
Dogs and domestic animals
A stray dog or cat must be captured quickly to prevent accidents, bites, or formal complaints. The animal is safely secured, scanned for a microchip, and checked for any visible identification. If no tag or microchip is found, it is transferred to a municipal facility until the owner is located or the legal holding period has expired.
When to call animal control
Some situations call for professional help rather than a DIY approach. Recognizing when to make that call protects both your family and your property.
Wildlife inside your home
Scratching sounds in the attic, an animal in your living space, or nesting materials in your walls all point to wildlife that has moved in. Wild animals can be unpredictable when cornered, and attempting removal without experience often makes the situation worse.
Animals causing property damage
Chewed wires, torn insulation, damaged vents, or holes in your roofline indicate an active problem. Without intervention, the damage typically spreads. Animals that have found a way in will keep using that entry point, and others may follow.
Aggressive or injured animals
An animal that appears sick, injured, or aggressive is not safe to approach. Rabies—with 93 raccoon rabies cases in Quebec in 2025—and other diseases are transmitted through bites and scratches. Professionals have the training and protective equipment to handle these situations safely.
Neighbor pet disputes and dog control
Complaints about barking dogs, roaming pets, or aggressive neighborhood animals go to your local municipal animal control office. Private wildlife services don’t handle domestic animal disputes.
Municipal animal control vs private wildlife removal
The two services handle different problems. Calling the right one gets your issue resolved faster.
| Service Type | Handles | Does Not Handle |
| Municipal Animal Control | Stray dogs and cats, dog licensing, injured domestic animals, pet complaints | Wildlife in homes, damage repair, prevention work |
| Private Wildlife Removal | Wild animals in structures, humane removal, entry point sealing, attic restoration | Stray pets, dog control complaints, pet licensing |
What municipal services handle
Municipal animal control responds to stray pet reports, enforces dog licensing bylaws, investigates animal cruelty complaints, and picks up injured domestic animals from public areas. In most cases, these services are free to residents.
What private wildlife companies handle
Private wildlife removal companies specialize in removing wild animals from homes, identifying and sealing entry points, repairing damage, and cleaning up contamination left behind. The work involves service fees based on the scope of what’s required.
Humane animal control methods
Reputable animal control services resolve wildlife conflicts without causing unnecessary harm. The approach depends on the species and situation.
Live trapping and relocation
Live traps capture animals unharmed so they can be moved to a suitable habitat away from residential areas. This method works well for raccoons, skunks, and groundhogs. The traps are checked regularly to minimize stress on the animal.
Exclusion techniques
Exclusion means sealing all potential entry points on a building using durable materials like galvanized steel mesh, metal flashing, and hardware cloth. The goal is to physically prevent animals from getting inside while allowing any currently in the structure to exit safely.
One-way door systems
One-way doors are installed over entry points and allow animals to leave but block them from returning. This approach works particularly well for humane squirrel removal and bats. The animal exits on its own schedule, and once out, it can’t get back in.
How much do animal control services cost
Costs vary based on several factors. Getting a detailed quote upfront helps you understand what to expect before any work begins.
- Type of animal: Some species require more specialized removal techniques and equipment than others.
- Location and accessibility: Animals in hard-to-reach areas like high attics or deep crawlspaces take more time and effort to address.
- Extent of damage: Contamination cleanup and structural repairs add to the overall cost when animals have been present for a while.
- Prevention measures: Sealing entry points to prevent future intrusions is an additional service that protects your investment in removal.
Municipal animal control is typically free for basic complaints. Private wildlife removal involves service fees, though many companies offer free inspections and detailed quotes before starting work.
What to expect from professional animal control
A thorough process ensures your wildlife problem is resolved completely, not just temporarily. Here’s what typically happens.
1. Initial inspection and assessment
A technician evaluates your property to identify the animal species, locate all entry points, assess damage, and determine the extent of any contamination. This step is essential for developing an effective removal plan tailored to your specific situation.
2. Humane removal process
Animals are removed using methods appropriate to the species. Depending on the circumstances, this might involve live trapping, one-way doors, or hands-on removal. The goal is always to resolve the problem while minimizing stress and harm to the animal.
3. Damage repair and entry point sealing
After removal, technicians secure your home by repairing damage and sealing all potential entry points with durable materials. This step prevents the same problem from happening again. Without it, new animals often move into the same spaces.
4. Attic restoration and decontamination
Wildlife leaves behind droppings, urine, and nesting materials that pose health risks and can attract other animals. Professional cleanup removes contamination, eliminates odors, and restores your attic to a safe, clean condition.
Signs you need animal control services
Catching a wildlife problem early makes it easier and less expensive to resolve. Here are the most common indicators.
Noises in the attic or walls at night
Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds, especially at night or early morning, often mean animals are active inside your home. Raccoons tend to be heavy-footed and loud. Squirrels are lighter but persistent, particularly around dawn.
Damaged vents, eaves, or roofing
Visible damage to your home’s exterior, like torn vent covers, holes in soffits, or damaged shingles, may indicate animal entry points. Even small gaps can allow squirrels and mice inside.
Animal droppings or strong odors
Finding feces, urine stains, or noticing musty or ammonia-like smells are clear signs of an infestation. Droppings also point to potential health hazards that require proper cleanup.
Visible entry points around your home
Gaps around utility lines, holes in foundation vents, or chewed areas on fascia boards are all potential entry points. If you can see daylight through a gap, an animal can likely fit through it.
Animal control services in Ottawa and Gatineau
Aspen Wildlife Control provides professional animal control services throughout the National Capital Region. With over 25 years of experience serving local homeowners, we understand the specific wildlife challenges in this area.
Gatineau region coverage
Service is available throughout Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Chelsea, Cantley, La Pêche, and Wakefield for all wildlife removal needs.
Ottawa region coverage
Service extends across Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Stittsville, and surrounding communities within the national capital region.
Emergency response and urgent pest control
Some situations can’t wait. Fast response is available for urgent wildlife problems, so your issue gets addressed as quickly as possible.
Tip: If you’re hearing noises in your attic or have spotted signs of wildlife activity, acting early typically means simpler removal and less damage to repair later.
Protect your home with trusted animal control in the National Capital Region
Wildlife conflicts are stressful, but they don’t have to disrupt your life for long. Professional, humane removal resolves the immediate problem, and prevention work keeps animals from returning.
For expert animal control services in Ottawa and Gatineau, contact Aspen Wildlife Control for a Quote Request today.