COYOTES IN GLENDALE

March 29, 2004 - Pasadena

As public concerns about coyote sightings in the city of Glendale increase, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and the city of Glendale are taking positive steps to insure that each reported sighting will be handled as humanely and professionally as possible. The city of Glendale has increased its budget on this issue but realizes that only when a coyote is aggressively threatening humans is it necessary to begin selective trapping. Trapping is performed only by the County Department of Agriculture - not by the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.

There is no cause for concern. Conflicts between urban wildlife and city residents can be lessened through a proactive, thorough public education program. Harmonious coexistence between native wildlife and residents is possible if steps are taken to discourage wildlife from the area.

"Coyotes are opportunistic animals and are looking for an easy food source," says Steven McNall, executive director of the Pasadena Humane Society. "Remember that Glendale is located in a wildlife corridor, and that coyotes will follow prey animals such as rabbits, gophers and rodents through the corridor. If another food source is made readily available, the coyote will go for that food source." These easy food sources include garbage cans without lids, food left outside, small pets left outdoors and fallen fruit on the ground.

Here are simple and effective things you can do to discourage coyotes from visiting your yard:
· Never intentionally feed any wildlife
· Remove all pet food or water from outside after 10pm. Glendale Municipal Code 6.04.150
· Secure the lids of your outdoor garbage cans
· Pick up fallen fruit
· Cover compost piles-do not put food in compost piles
· Reduce the use of bird feeders. Clean up fallen seed.
· Spay or neuter your dogs
· Make all of your cats indoor cats.

For more infomation about Coyotes, visit our website's Wildlife section.