Pets and Wildlife

Pets and Wildlife

The Wauwatosa Health Department provides education and investigates animal issues.

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Please call (414) 479-8936 or fill out a service request form to report an animal issue. A member of our team will investigate and respond.

Animal Bites and Rabies Prevention

  • Report all domestic animal bite incidents to the Wauwatosa Police Department at the non-emergency number (414) 471-8430. The police report will be sent to us to investigate.
  • Thoroughly wash the animal bite or scratch wounds with liberal amounts of soap and water and seek medical attention. Both domestic and wild animal bites and encounters create a potential for rabies exposure.

  • For wild animal exposure, including bat encounters, please contact us as soon as possible at (414) 479-8936. If you have the animal contained, do not release it to nature or harm the animal, since it may be needed for testing.
  • Thoroughly wash the animal bite or scratch wounds with liberal amounts of soap and water and seek medical attention. Both domestic and wild animal bites and encounters create a potential for rabies exposure.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected animals to humans. With early intervention, rabies can be prevented. However, it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Domestic animals (dogs and cats) in Wauwatosa must be vaccinated for Rabies. Learn more about Wauwatosa’s pet licensing and vaccination requirements.

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Rats

The rats that live in Wauwatosa are Norway rats. There are no known reports of individuals in Wauwatosa contacting any illness from a rat. There are no known cases of Norway rats spreading Hantavirus to humans. Other types of rats can spread disease and interfere with economic and physical well-being.

Rats, predominately burrowing rodents, are most active at night and are rarely seen during the day except when there is a large rat population. Rats will eat almost anything and often feed on pet or bird seed.

We respond to complaints about rats and mice and provide information about rodent control and enforcement according to the Wauwatosa ordinance. We do not offer baiting or elimination services but can refer you to pest control companies.

You can report illegal dumping of garbage and solid waste on private property to the Wauwatosa Department of Property Maintenance at (414) 479-8981.

  • Droppings: shiny and dark colored when fresh
  • Runways: rats use the same trails from burrow to food, water and shelter
  • Burrows: found along walls, wood piles, and concrete slabs
  • Gnawing: rats must gnaw to keep their front teeth worn down

  • Eliminate food sources
    • Use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid for storing garbage
    • Do not leave pet food where rats can have access to it
    • Do not put food scraps in your compost pile or use the pit method of composting
    • Bird feeders may also be a source of food for rats
  • Eliminate shelters
    • Get rid of all rubbish, junk, and unwanted materials where rats can hide and live
    • Store building materials, firewood, etc. at least 18 inches above the ground
    • Grass clippings and tree trimmings can provide additional shelter
    • Prevent rats from entering buildings by closing all access route
  • Poison or trapping can be used to supplement good prevention practices but should not be used as a substitute for prevention
  • Rat poison is sold by many companies and is available to the general public – be sure to follow all instructions on the label completely
  • Please only use rat poison if you know you have a rat population issue
  • Trapping may be effective if populations are small

If you need more help, please contact a professional pest control specialist.

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Bats

It is common for bats to find their way into homes and apartments. However, a very small amount of bats (2-3%) carry the rabies virus and testing is done only when necessary.

If you find a bat in your home, avoid coming into contact with the bat. If you or someone else has been exposed, the bat may need to be tested for rabies.

For recommendations on how to safely capture a bat, contact us by email or phone at (414) 479-8936. If needed, we can help you find animal control contractors who can assist if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

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Coyotes in Wauwatosa

There are wild coyotes in Wauwatosa. Learn more about reporting options and our response plan.

Reporting Nuisance Wildlife

The Wauwatosa Health Department does not trap or bait wild animals. Our role is to assist residents by providing education and tips for coexisting with wildlife peacefully. For assistance with nuisance wildlife, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Turkeys, coyotes, and other wildlife are a valuable part of our community, and we recognize that many people in our community enjoy the local wildlife. However, intentional feeding of wild animals can cause them to lose fear of humans and can result in habitation at close distances to humans. This can increase the risks of a negative interaction or aggressive behavior. Please do not feed wild animals in Wauwatosa.

Reporting Sick or Dead Wildlife

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors the health of Wisconsin’s wildlife. Report your sightings of sick or dead wildlife to the DNR Wildlife Hotline by calling 608-267-0866 or [email protected].

In your message, please include the number of animals, the species (such as raccoon or Canada goose), if they were sick or dead, the specific location where you saw them, including the county and your contact information. You will need to leave a message for hotline staff to return your call.

Pets and Your Responsibilities

Pet owners in Wauwatosa are required to follow several safety laws.

Pets may not run loose on any public property, with the exception of designated dog parks. Pets must be confined by a leash, pen, or fence while on your property.

You may not possess more than a total of 3 cats or dogs or a combination thereof in any residence, apartment, or property. This includes foster animals.

You must have your pet vaccinated by a veterinarian within 30 days of the animal reaching five months of age and re-vaccinated as required.

You must obtain an annual pet license through the Wauwatosa City Hall Treasurer’s Office. Pets must have visible license tags attached to a collar. Additional information can be found at the Dog & Cat Licensing website.

You are required to remove your animal’s excrement from public property or the property of another person.

Besides following the local law, cleaning up pet waste helps keep our waterways clean. When left on the sidewalk or grass, rainwater washes pet waste through storm sewers and into nearby ponds, rivers, and lakes. As it decays and combines with warm water, pet waste uses oxygen and releases ammonia which can kill fish and other aquatic species.

Reporting Issues

You are required to report any incident of a bite, attack or injury to the Wauwatosa Police Department (stop by in person or call 414-471-8430). You can also submit an Animal Nuisance Report about the number of dogs or cats in a home.