Animal Care Services

Seeing a coyote walking down a busy street is not as uncommon as most would think. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not require open space to survive, and have successfully adapted to living in close proximity to humans.

The nighttime howling of wild coyotes is ever-more common across America – they are now found in every state but Hawaii. The best way to protect your pets is to let them outside only when you are with them, especially at night. Some other precautions include:

• Never feeding coyotes or any other wildlife.
• Keeping pets and pet food inside. If feeding outside, feed pets during the day (no more than one hour) and remove the food and water bowls when finished.
• Staying close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keeping them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.
• Removing fallen fruit from the ground.
• Bagging food wastes such as meat scraps or leftover pet food.
• Keeping trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Using "hazing" techniques to shoo away coyotes, such as standing tall, yelling and waving arms while approaching the coyote; using a whistle, air horn, bell or other device; banging pots or pans together; stomping your feet; using a water hose, pepper spray, or throwing tennis balls or rocks at the coyote.
• Never running away from a coyote.

Long Beach Animal Control Officers do not respond to calls for service for normal coyote behavior, such as sightings, but these calls are recorded and documented. However, ACS Officers do respond to calls involving a sick or injured coyote(s), or if there is a public safety issue; for instance, a coyote(s) threatening people or lingering in an area frequented by people, such as a yard, park, playground, school, etc.  Coyote activity should be reported online using the link below.   All animal-related emergencies should be reported immediately by calling (562) 570-PETS (7387). If there is an immediate threat to a human, call 911.

• Keep Me Wild: "Coyote country" precautions
• Keep Me Wild: "Coyote country" Printable Brochure