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Know when to step in — or step back — with wildlife
Spotting a wild animal in your yard or neighborhood doesn’t always mean it’s time to intervene. Healthy fawns curled up in tall grass, feathered baby birds learning to fly, and bats snoozing in trees are best left alone. On the other hand, call local animal control or wildlife rescue if you see injured, trapped, or visibly sick animals; distressed young wildlife; nocturnal animals active in daylight; or signs of rabies.
To keep wildlife from getting too close, remember to secure trash in sealed bins, bring pet food indoors at night, and eliminate standing water. Skip composting meat or dairy, and consider motion-activated lights and sprinklers to discourage unwanted visitors. Seal up gaps around your home to prevent entry.
Above all, keep pets vaccinated and never touch wild animals. Diseases like rabies, distempers, and mange may not always be obvious but they can be dangerous to both pets and people.
To report unusual behavior, bites, or scratches, call Gwinnett Animal Welfare at 770.339.3200 or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 706.557.3333.
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