Coyote and other Wildlife Information

Many residents in Fullerton and all of Orange County experience occasional visits from local wildlife, especially those that reside in newly developed neighborhoods or areas next to protected parks and wilderness trails. During spring time, these visits may become more frequent as this is the breeding season for many wild animals. While some residents understand that wildlife is being pushed from their natural habitat and take pleasure in these visits, many consider them a nuisance because of late night forages in trash cans, messes left behind and the occasional "setting up camp" in or around one's property.

Small pets can easily become coyote prey. Cats and small dogs should not be allowed outside alone, even in a fenced yard. It is highly recommended that their owner always accompany small pets. Though coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they can be observed at all hours of the day and will not pass up the opportunity for an easy meal. A dog or cat left in a backyard can be taken in a matter of moments. Eradication and/or relocation of the urban coyote is not effective. These programs actually provide a vacuum in nature, causing these animals to have even larger litters, ultimately increasing the coyote population.

The City of Fullerton offers some helpful tips to discourage wildlife activity in their neighborhoods.

• Keep pet food indoors and do not leave food of any kind outside at night. Food left out at night will be taken as a welcome invitation by wildlife, and may prompt a future visit.
• Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult.
• Remove any fruit which has fallen to the ground.
• Store trash in covered, heavy-duty containers.
• Keep yards free from potential shelter such as thick brush and weeds, and enclose the bottoms of porches and decks.
• Eliminate garbage, debris, lumber piles, etc.
• Check fencing and try to eliminate access points to roof tops.
• Change automatic sprinkler settings regularly.

Taking these preventive measures should help in deterring wildlife from visiting your property. Please remember that if the three (3) life sustaining elements are available (food, water and shelter), you are likely to encounter some wildlife in your area. For more information on the laws pertaining to urban wildlife and their protection visit the Department of Fish and Game's website at www.dfg.ca.gov. 

Note: The City uses the coyote contact/sightings reporting to monitor their activity in the community and to take appropriate action in accordance with the City's draft Coyote Management Plan. The City is not able to respond to every coyote reporting or make follow-up contact with each citizen who files a report.

How to Haze a Coyote

City of Fullerton Coyote Management Plan - Coming Soon

Preventing Coyote Conflicts

Coyote Hazing Guidelines

Department of Fish and Game

To report a coyote siting, you can report it by using the Coyote Cacher from the University of California Cooperative Extension, or contact the Orange County Animal Control.

OC Animal Care

 Hours of operation
 8:00am-5:00pm daily
 (714) 935-6848 or (949) 249-5160
 5:00pm-8:00am nightly
 (714) 935-7158

Fullerton Police Non-Emergency

 Fullerton Police Department Dispatch (714) 738-6700

Emergency

 In case of an emergency, where the coyote is immediately attacking a person or pet, or has become aggressive on your property, call 911.