Coyotes are native wildlife and are free to roam as determined under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fish and Wildlife; they are a normal and valuable part of the urban ecosystem. Coyotes keep rodent populations down and provide free carrion removal, among other benefits.
If you are experiencing conflicts with coyotes in your yard or near your home, we are here to help. We list a variety of safe, humane ways to help peacefully coexist with wildlife. And also offer a humane exclusion service where we can come to your home to provide tailored assistance.
Coyote basics
Coyotes evolved here in the American Southwest and have been capable of living among humans for the 15,000+ years that humans have existed here. They have continued to adapt to living in cities where they can easily find resources including human’s close fellow travelers, mice and rats. Coyotes may be active at any time of day. They are opportunistic and eat a generalist diet consisting of not only small mammals, carrion, and sometimes birds and deer, but also supplement their diet with berries and other plant materials. If allowed, they will also prey on domestic pets such as cats and any human or pet food that is easily accessible.
Coyotes venture out in search of food and shelter. By removing any potential food sources from your home, you can prevent repeat coyote visits. Securing your own home is a good first step, but coexisting with coyotes is truly a community effort, so be sure to share these tips with your neighbors. You can print out or download our coyote flyer and share them in your neighborhood or on your online neighborhood forums such as Facebook and Nextdoor.
Coyotes and food
Since coyotes’ natural instinct is to fear people, they are unlikely to approach or harm us. However, intentional or unintentional feeding can alter their natural behaviors, making them more comfortable around humans, and lead to bolder, potentially aggressive behavior. As such, it is crucial to remove any potential source of food from coyotes and actively haze them whenever they are near humans.
- Keep your cats inside and supervise small dogs outdoors or keep them in predator-proof catios or dog runs
- Remove any outdoor pet food
- Remove any bird feeders or regularly clean up any fallen seed and secure it to ensure other wildlife is unable to access it
- Pick up fruit as soon as it falls to the ground
- Keep barbecue grills clean
- Eliminate access to water on your property, like standing water or bird baths
Secure your home
In addition to seeking out food, coyotes tend to linger anywhere they can find shelter. Secure your home so that coyotes will not find it hospitable.
- Wildlife-proof garbage in sturdy containers with tight fitting lids
- Keep trash in a secure location and only take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled
- Keep compost in secure containers
- Secure your garage and don’t leave the door open
- Enclose your garden with hardware cloth
- Trim overgrown landscaping and clear brush, trim hedges 6”-12” off the ground
- Close off crawl spaces under decks and around buildings
- Invest in motion detecting lights that make sound when activated, motion sensing water sprayers, or roll bar fencing also referred to as “coyote rollers”
Encountering a coyote
Coyotes are typically very wary of humans and will do their best to avoid us. Take the following steps when you encounter one to ensure your safety:
- Make the coyote feel uncomfortable
- Maintain eye contact
- Be aggressive: Yell and/or spray a hose at the coyote. Make loud noises by shaking a can of pennies or marbles to scare the coyote away. Throw tennis balls or open and close an umbrella.
- Make yourself appear large and stand your ground–pick up small pets and children
- Never turn your back or run away
- Make safety your first priority. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Protect your pets
- Walk your pets on a 6ft or shorter leash. You can lower your chance of encountering
coyotes on your dog walks by avoiding walking your dog at dawn or dusk. - Change your walking routine to avoid den sites in the spring and summer
- Keep your cats inside and supervise dogs outdoors or keep them in predator-proof
catios or dog runs - Remove any outdoor pet food
- If you are a community cat caretaker, only feed at specific and consistent times of day
for 30 mins at a time while you supervise. Hose down the area and clean up any
leftover food after the 30 mins are up. Cats will learn this schedule.
How we can help
- If you believe you have found sick or injured wildlife, please call or text the wildlife helpline at 626.344.1129 (text is preferred) between the hours of 9am-5pm. Please note, this is not an emergency service and we will return your message as soon as we are able. General inquiries about wildlife can be sent to wildlife@pasadenahumane.org.
- We will visit your neighborhood association or community group to provide a wildlife presentation or interactive coyote safety workshop. For more information, contact 626.792.7151 ext. 114 or outreach@pasadenahumane.org.
- Visit our wildlife page at pasadenahumane.org/wildlife for more tips about peaceful coexistence with other native wildlife.
- We offer Humane Wildlife Exclusion services
More resources
Stay Up To Date
Sign up for our email newsletter
Questions? Contact us at wildlife@pasadenahumane.org
