Lost Animals

Stray or lost/found animals that are seen or secured by a citizen should be reported to the Police Department at (925) 931-5100.

An Animal Services Officer, Police Officer or Community Services Officer will respond to evaluate the appropriate disposition of the animal. If ownership can be determined, the owner will be contacted and the animal will be returned to the owner. Other animals will be transferred to the East County Animal Shelter or another facility.

Wild Animals

Mountain Lion Information (all pdf files) » Keep Me Wild Brochure » Living With California Mountain Lions Brochure » Commonly Asked Questions

The East Bay is home to an amazing diversity of wildlife and Pleasanton, which issurrounded by open space, Regional parks land, and the Pleasanton Ridgelands is no exception. Encounters with birds, deer, raccoons, skunks, and many other animals becomes more commonplace as development approaches open space boundaries. Food supplies for animals are reduced are impacted by seasonal climates throughout the year. In the summer months, the heat dries grasses, plants and water sources. In the winter, some plants go into hibernation. 

There are a few preventive measures that can be taken to minimize contact with wild animals:

• Remove or cover possible food sources i.e., garbage cans, pet food etc.
• Screen all attic, porch and foundation vents with wire mesh.
• Professionally cap chimneys or cover with heavy gauge hardware cloth.
• Close off passages to areas beneath porches and other crawl spaces.
• Prune or remove tree limbs hanging over rooflines.
• Use pet doors at you own risk. If conventional doors are used, bolt them tightly at night or consider purchasing an electronic pet-door designed to open for your pet only.
• Remove unnecessary outdoor clutter such as old newspaper, junk, woodpiles and old cars that provide animals with shelter.
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Most wildlife is repelled by the odor of mothballs or ammonia. Rags soaked in ammonia placed in areas wildlife frequent can help keep them away.
• Nocturnal wildlife that has made a home in an attic or under a house do not like light or noise. A well placed droplight and radio will cause them to leave. After they are gone, the openings they gained access through should be secured.
  
  Additional information about how to deal with specific wildlife can be found at the following sites:
  
  Lindsay Wildlife Museum - Click on the "All about Wildlife" link on the left column and then on the "Help for Wildlife" link on the page.
  
  Humane Society of the United States - A Closer Look at Wildlife page, click on any of the listed animals for information.
  
  Other questions about wildlife can be directed to the Animal Services Unit at (925) 931-5100. Pleasanton Animal Service Officers can offer advice about wild animals, set traps in rare cases, and assist to relocate wild animals when necessary.

Trapping of Animals

With few exceptions, the Police Department's Animal Services Unit does not offer trapping services.  Traps can be purchased or rented through a variety of sources.

Depending upon the nature of the problem, Alameda County vector Control will provide traps for wild animals.  For additional information about trapping, please contact the Animal Sevices Unit at (925) 931-5100