Important Notice: October 3, 2025 - Dead Animal Pick up Delays
- Due to high call volumes, there may be delays in the removal of dead animals (cadavers). Animal Services will respond as soon as possible; however, removal may take up to two weeks.
- If you no longer require removal services, please call 311 to cancel your request. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Description of Service/Summary:
- Animal Service, along with other City divisions, removes dead animals to support public health, safety, and cleanliness.
- Removals are based on the type of animal and its location and are carried out when it is safe to do so.
Safety Precautions
If you need to handle or bag a dead animal before pickup:
- Do not touch the animal with bare hands.
- Wear disposable gloves, eye protection, and a mask or face shield.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
Dead Animals Collected by Animal Services
Dead Animals found on roads, sidewalks, parks and other City property are eligible for pickup.
Animal Services will collect:
- Small Wildlife including bats, rabbits, skunks, squirrels, birds of prey (such as owls, hawks, falcons etc.), reptile, snake and turtles
- Large Wildlife including coyotes, deer, fox, groundhogs, opossums, raccoons
- Domestic stray animal – owner unknown
Note: Small cadavers such as small birds, rodents/mice will not be picked up. If possible, they can be bagged and placed in a black garbage bin.
Dead Animals on Private Property
Animal Services will only collect the following from private property:
- Skunks
- Large wildlife cadavers (raccoons, Coyotes, deer and opossums)
Preparation for pickup:
- Skunks, raccoons, opossums, and unowned domestic animals: Bagged and placed at the curb.
- Coyotes and deer: Do not to be bagged, but must be placed at the curb for pickup.
- If curbside placement is not possible due to special circumstances, please include a note in your request so staff can plan accordingly.
Note: Dead wildlife smaller than a raccoon such as rabbits, birds, squirrels, rats will not be picked up. They should be bagged and placed in the black garbage bin, and will be collected by Solid Waste Management.
Alternate Option: Drop-off at Animal Services Shelters
- You may also make an appointment to bring a deceased animal to a Toronto Animal Services shelter for disposal.
- All dead animals are respectfully handled, cremated and disposed in a environmentally responsible method.
