Wildlife

Animal Control responds to dead and injured and/or sick wildlife within the city limits of Seattle. Dead wildlife that is under 15 pounds can be double bagged and disposed of in the regular trash.

PAWS Wildlife Center

The Seattle Animal Shelter partners with the PAWS Wildlife Center, a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility located north of Seattle in Lynnwood. A volunteer from PAWS comes to SAS daily to transport animals to the center. PAWS also assists thousands of citizens facing conflicts with wildlife, working with them to find effective, long-term, humane solutions to wildlife problems.

If you have found a sick or injured wild animal, have questions about wild animal behavior, or are experiencing a wildlife problem, visit the PAWS website or call the center at (425) 412-4040.

Wildlife and disease concerns

• Bats and rabies
  • If a bat has contact with a human, please contact Public Health for Seattle & King County at (206) 296-4774.
  • If a bat has contact with a pet, find information on testing here.
• Birds and West Nile virus
  • For questions regarding the West Nile virus in general, visit the Washington State Department of Health or call 1-866-78VIRUS.
• Other zoonotic disease resources
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Wildlife Diseases
  • Washington State Department of Health: Zoonotic Disease Program
  • Public Health - Seattle & King County: Zoonotic Disease Program

Living with wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and the interactions of wildlife with humans. WDFW also keeps a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Washington state, which can be viewed here.

For information about living with specific types of wildlife, visit the WDFW Living with Wildlife web resource, or click on the links below:

• Baby birds
• Bears
• Cougars
• Coyotes
• Crows and dive-bombing
• Deer
• Opossums
• Raccoons
• Squirrels
• Information on other animals
• Marine mammals
  • Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 
  • If you see an injured or sick marine mammal, do not approach it. Contact the NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network and/or Seal Sitters; visit their websites to determine which phone number to use based on the animal's location.