City of Santa Monica - Customer Services Directory

Despite the degree of urban development in Santa Monica, various species of wild animals have managed to adapt and develop a niche in our community. Squirrels, opossums, and raccoons are commonplace in many neighborhoods, and sightings of coyotes, owls and hawks are sometimes reported.

If you have specific concerns about unwanted wildlife, please call the Santa Monica Animal Shelter at (310) 458-8595 during business hours. Wild animals are protected by the California Department of Fish and Game and the capture and relocation of wild animals is illegal. Animal Control staff can provide detailed advice on how to exclude and repel various species of wildlife that you may not want on your property.

Some people feed wildlife and like to think they are helping by providing food, but the reality is that:

Supplemental feeding encourages wildlife to become dependent on handouts that are not part of their natural diets.
Juvenile animals that are taught to depend on humans fail to develop normal foraging behavior, and could starve if the artificial food sources are removed.
Human foods are often nutritionally inadequate for wildlife and may lead to subsequent health problems.
Wildlife may lose their fear of humans and pets, a behavior that could result in wild animals not avoiding contact with aggressive dogs and cats, or people who might intentionally harm them.
Wild animals being fed by humans may congregate in unnaturally high numbers, increasing the chances for disease transmission.

If you find a baby bird, baby squirrel or other young and apparently helpless animal that has been displaced from its nest or mother, call Santa Monica Animal Control at (310) 458-8595. Do not transport the baby animal to the Animal Shelter or to a veterinarian. Doing so is likely to decrease its chances for survival and will likely result in its death. Animal Control Officers can assist in the attempt to reunite the baby animal with its mother to afford its best chance to live. Keep in mind that even in the wilderness, many species of wildlife produce more offspring than the mother can sustain, so not every nestling can be saved.

Animals