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 located at 4595 Gleason Dr., Dublin CA.  they can be reached at (925) 803-7040.

Feral Cat Trapping

With few exceptions, the Police Department's Animal Services Unit does not offer trapping services for feral cats.  Traps can be purchased or rented through a variety of sources.  When attempting to trap a feral cat please ensure that the cage is placed in a spot on your property that is protected from the elements.  Cover the trap with a blanket or towel to help keep the cat calm.  The trap must be monitored daily and Animal Services does not recommend setting the trapping at night as you may capture wildlife.  Trapped cats must be taken to the East County Animal Shelter in Dublin.  Please contact Animal Services with any additional questions.

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 is surrounded by open space, Regional parks land, and the Pleasanton Ridgelands, is no exception. Encounters with birds, deer, raccoons, skunks, and many other animals become more commonplace as development approaches open space boundaries. Food supplies for animals are reduced and 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 your 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.

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.  Additional assistance with nuisance wildlife including bats, skunks, opossums, raccoons, pigeons and rodents are handled by Alameda County Vector Control Services at (510) 567-6800 or visit their website at www.acvcsd.org.  Pleasanton residents can contact Jeff Hardman with Vector Services directly at (510) 567-6825.

Trapping of Wild Animals

Under most circumstances nuisance wildlife problems can be resolved without trapping the animal.  In accordance with State Fish and Game regulations wild animals may not be trapped without a tag issued by Fish and Game.  Animals found in violation of these regulations are to be immediately released on site.  Wild animals may also NOT be relocated under these same regulations, leaving the only option for a legally trapped animal to be euthanized on site.  Please contact Alameda County Vector Services for assistance with nuisance wildlife.