Lodi Animal Services

The City of Lodi is surrounded by farm land and grape vineyards, which provide homes to a variety of wildlife. In addition, we have 58 acres of wilderness area within Lodi Lake that is home to many types of wildlife so it should come as no surprise that residents see raccoons, possum and skunks in their yards. Although they may cause a nuisance to the resident, specific regulations must be followed when dealing with wildlife.

Opossum

The opossum is a house cat sized mammal (4 to 14 pounds) with a long and pointed face.They eat a wide variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, eggs, insects, pet food, and garbage. They are found in many different habitats from woodlands to highly developed residential areas. They have been found living in attics, garages, chimneys, woodpiles, under houses and decks, or in any place that offers protection. Although they are very common, opossums are not often seen due to their nocturnal habits.

Prevention: Opossums are attracted to urban areas by the easy accessibility of food, water and shelter. Tight fitting lids should be kept on garbage cans; pets should be fed during daylight hours and any leftovers removed immediately, water bowls should be empties or taken in at night; gardens should be frequently harvested. Food should never be intentionally left out for wild mammals.

Close off any open vents to your home and repair any area that may provide an entrance either under or into your residence. This includes pet door which should be locked at night. Opossum can be kept away from roof areas by trimming tree branches 10 feet from roof and by keeping climbing plants trimmed away from eave areas.

Direct Control: Opossums may be trapped in a cage or cat trap. Almost any type of food can be used as bait, but using fruit, berries, raw egg, or peanut butter rather than meat will reduce the chance of catching neighborhood cats. Place trap in areas of greatest activity or near entry holes. Trapped animals will need to be released as soon as possible after trapping for humane reasons. Do not set the trap if you are going to be away from your residence for longer than a day, or if the Lodi Animal Shelter is closed for the weekend. If you have a trapped Opossum contact the Lodi Animal Services to arrange for a staff member to pick up the animal as soon as possible.

It is a violation of California state law for any wildlife to be kept as pets. California Fish and Game Regulations prohibit the relocation of opossums and other wildlife without written permission of the Department.

Raccoons

Raccoons are common throughout California and are medium sized animals weighting 12 to 35 pounds. The fur has a salt and pepper appearance with the black mask marking on the face. Raccoons will eat fruit, grain, eggs, poultry, vegetables, nuts, fish, insects, rodents, pet food and garbage. Raccoons are nocturnal (night-time active) animals. Raccoons den up in hollow trees, drain pipes, homes and buildings, under decks and storage building, brush piles and abandoned burrows.

Prevention: Raccoons may be kept away from roof areas by trimming tree branches 10 feet from roof and by keeping climbing plants trimmed away from roof and eave areas. The use of a watch dog may prove advantageous in keeping raccoons from your yard, but raccoons can be extremely vicious and have been known to attack pets.

Raccoons are drawn to the easily accessible food source around homes. Secure your garbage and never leave food out overnight for your pets. Raccoons causing lawn and turf damage may be encouraged to leave by controlling the grub worms or other subsoil insects that they eat.

Direct Control: Trapping with a baited cage or cat trap is the best way to remove raccoons. Almost any type of food can be used as bait, but using fruit, berries, raw egg, or peanut butter rather than meat will reduce the chance of catching neighborhood cats. Place the trap in areas of greatest activity. The addition of a wadded up piece of aluminum foil in the trap may help to stimulate curiosity. Trapped animals will need to be released as soon as possible after trapping for humane reasons. Do not set the trap if you are going to be away from your residence for longer than a day, or if the Lodi Animal Shelter is closed for the weekend. If you have a trapped raccoon contact the Lodi Animal Services to arrange for a staff member to pick up the animal as soon as possible.

Skunks

Striped skunks are a house-cat sized animal that has white stripes down the back. Skunks are nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night for insects, small rodents, poultry, eggs, nesting birds, fruit, pet food and garbage. Skunks will sue any shelter place as a den including wood piles, animal burrows, culverts, under houses, decks and sheds. Skunks have the ability to discharge a nauseating musk from their anal glands. They are capable of spraying their must several times with accuracy to about 10 feet. Confrontation with pets can result in the pet being sprayed or bitten. Skunks are the primary carrier of rabies in California with approximately 65% of the skunks checked in the past five years tested positive for rabies.

Prevention: Skunks are attracted to residential areas by the availability of food, water and shelter. They can be encouraged to leave by reducing or eliminating these attractants. Remove unused pet food and water bowls at night, and keep tight fitting lids on garbage cans. Seal up entry holes in and under buildings and decks. Keep pet access doors locked at night.

Direct Control: Live trapping can be used to remove skunks with a bated cat trap. When trapping skunks it is a good idea to cover the top, bottom and side of the trap with heavy cardboard or plywood. This reduces the chance that the person picking up the trap will be sprayed. Do not place traps under a building or deck. This does not increase trap success, but it does greatly increase the chance of getting sprayed. Almost any type of food can be used as bait, but using fruit, berries, raw egg, or peanut butter rather than meat will reduce the chance of catching neighborhood cats. Trapped animals will need to be released as soon as possible after trapping for humane reasons. Do not set the trap if you are going to be away from your residence for longer than a day, or if the Lodi Animal Shelter is closed for the weekend. If you have a trapped skunk contact the Lodi Animal Services to arrange for a staff member to take care of the animal.

Odor: Individual reaction to skunk must ranges from mild irritation to severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and burning of the eyes and nostrils. No diseases are known to be transmitted through the must. Skunk musk on clothing may be neutralized by a strong detergent washing followed by the liberal use of vinegar or household ammonia and a final rinse. Airing these articles on hot, sunny days will also help.

To remove musk sprayed on pets, first rinse the eyes gently with clear water, bathe with a "No Tears" shampoo taking special care around the eyes, then rinse with clear water. You may wish to rinse the pet with tomato juice or a diluted solution of vinegar and water. If you take this extra step, you must then shampoo and rinse the pet again. This treatment may need to be repeated. If you pet was bitten by the skunk, take it immediately to your veterinarian.