Thank you for caring about wildlife animals!

Sadly, Ann Arbor continues to shoot healthy deer (the City is now in its fifth year of a four-year plan) due to human/animal conflict. But there are plenty of ways to coexist that are easy, humane and effective in reducing conflict and supporting all wildlife. For instance:

• Prevention is key
  • Prevent animals from taking up residence in your home.
  • Put a (secure) lid on it – Make sure garbage and compost is not accessible.
  • Don’t invite them to dinner – Plant deer-resistant gardens, keep bird feeders out of reach of deer, and use a feeder with a seed catcher. Consider using birdseed that birds like but others find unappealing like Safflower seed and Nyjer seed.
  • Adopt a dog (or two!) – Check out those currently available for adoption.
• Patience is a virtue
  • Give them a brake – When driving, brake for wildlife – and remain alert for animal crossings especially around dawn and dusk.
  • Be careful of baby animals, particularly in the spring and summer.
  • Families of animals often move on with a little time or encouragement. See how to evict unwanted guests here.
  • But consider giving them a home? There are lots of beautiful bird, bat and butterfly houses and other alternative outdoor wildlife shelters.
• Persistence pays off – When using light, sound, smell or taste deterrents, don’t give up! There are some species-specific tricks to making them work, and continued application and novelty are usually neecessary.
• No poisons, please – Avoid the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.
• Appreciate wildlife from a distance, and shoot only with a camera.
• Educate yourself and others – Promote better understanding of wildlife and urban wildlife issues, and advocate for all of our wild neighbors!
• Get help – If you are in Washtenaw County and see a sick or injured wild animal, or need assistance evicting an unwanted guest, please call HSHV’s wildlife rescue line at (734) 661-3512 or see more information about our services.

Take the pledge to say “the only way for me is to coexist wildly” and stop by HSHV to pick up a FREE removable “Coexist Wildly” bumper sticker!

Living with wildlife

Love them or not, urban wildlife are here to stay. While some call them a “nuisance,” the truth is that wildlife are a lot like us. Their intention isn’t to invade our yards or homes, but simply to find food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and a safe place to raise their babies.

Fortunately, for most of us, they are an enjoyable part of our community! With human land development increasing and animals losing their natural habitats at an alarming rate, finding ways to co-exist with our wild neighbors and promote their well-being is more important now than ever.

More and more communities are helping residents to learn about and live peacefully among wildlife. In fact, cities as large as New York have launched co-existing with wildlife campaigns, including a non-lethal deer management program.

You can help! There are plenty of easy, humane and effective ways to reduce conflict and create a more compassionate world for animals. From actions at home to advocacy with public officials for nonviolent solutions and community education programs, your pledge to take steps to peacefully coexist can make a huge difference!