Living with wildlife is a part of everyday life in Addison. Interactions with wildlife are normal and you can expect to see the following species, and many others, in Addison:
- Armadillos
- Bats
- Bobcats
- Coyotes
- Opossums
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Snakes
- Waterfowl
Animal Services and Wildlife
If you have a nuisance animal on your property, please contact Animal Services to discuss possible solutions for your issue (raccoons, opossums, etc.). If you have trapped a wild animal on your property, or have a wild animal in the interior of your home or business (birds, bats, etc.) please contact us so we may assist you.
Animal Services does not trap or relocate coyotes, bobcats, or other predators unless they become a danger to public safety as determined by state and local authorities. We defer to the Texas Parks & Wildlife recommendations for dealing with urban wildlife; specifically coyotes.
Check out this resource guide from the Humane Society for more information on humane wildlife interventions.
If you would like to report wildlife sightings please fill out this form(PDF, 549KB) and email to animalservices@addisontx.gov.
You can contact Animal Services by emailing animalservices@addisontx.gov or calling 972-450-2845.
Coyotes
Addison is home to many types of wildlife, but none cause as much concern as coyotes. Unfortunately, coyotes have a bad reputation, and despite what you see on the news, they rarely threaten humans. Smaller animals, such as cats and dogs, may be at risk with nearby coyotes, and pet owners should be mindful of letting domesticated animals roam outside while unattended. Should Animal Services receive confirmed reports of dangerous behavior of any animal, we will take immediate steps to mitigate the public risk.
While their presence may be discomforting for some, coyotes are an integral part of the local ecosystem, and will not be disturbed unless they pose a credible threat to humans in the area.
The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife provides the following common-sense precautions people can take to manage coyotes:
- Do not feed coyotes! Keep pet food and water inside. Keep garbage securely stored, especially if it has to be put on the curb for collection; use tight-locking or bungee-cord-wrapped trashcans that are not easily opened.
- Keep compost piles securely covered; correct composting never includes animal matter like bones or fat, which can draw coyotes even more quickly than decomposing vegetable matter.
- Keep pets inside, confined securely in a kennel or covered exercise yard, or within the close presence of an adult.
- Walk pets on a leash and accompany them outside, especially at night.
- Do not feed wildlife on the ground; keep wild bird seed in feeders designed for birds elevated or hanging above ground, and clean up spilled seed from the ground; coyotes can either be drawn directly to the seed, or to the rodents drawn to the seed.
- Keep fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground.
- Do not feed feral cats (domestics gone wild); this can encourage coyotes to prey on cats, as well as feed on cat food left out for them.
- Minimize clusters of shrubs, trees, and other cover and food plants near buildings and children's play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that will in turn attract coyotes
- Use noise-making and other scaring devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and firearms ordinances. Portable air horns, motor vehicle horns, low-powered pellet guns, slingshots, and thrown rocks can be effective.