- The document establishes policies and procedures for handling wildlife encountered by OC Animal Care field operations personnel. It outlines how to handle injured, nuisance, illegally possessed, and dangerous wildlife. Key points include impounding injured wildlife and releasing healthy wildlife near the location of capture, educating the public about nuisance wildlife, and working with state agencies on situations involving large predators like mountain lions. The document provides detailed guidance on wildlife handling procedures.

1. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 1
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
I. PURPOSE
To establish a uniform policy and procedure for the disposition and handling of wildlife
impounded by OC Animal Care Field Operations personnel.
II. POLICY
OC Animal Care’s Policies and Procedures regarding wildlife are intended to protect the
health and safety of County residents and to provide a high level of service to the public
while dealing with wildlife using accepted humane management methods. OC Animal
Care will respond to calls regarding wildlife as follows:
• Injured wildlife will be impounded and may be placed with an outside
veterinarian or State licensed rehabilitator, at no charge to the County.
• Nuisance wildlife calls are handled through public education.
• Healthy wildlife impounded by citizens is released in the immediate area of
capture.
• Residents found to be illegally in possession of wildlife may be cited and are
reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for appropriate
action.
Wildlife that presents an immediate threat to the health and safety of human beings,
domestic animals or property are given priority status. OC Animal Care will respond
upon request along with CDFW officials and appropriate local law enforcement to assist
in securing the area and taking other appropriate actions.
Employees of this Division shall not retain for their own personal use, or the use of
another, any wildlife (live, dead or body parts). All impounded wildlife will be deposited
at appropriate authorized locations, e.g., OC Animal Care approved
veterinarians/rehabilitators. Violation of this directive may result in disciplinary action.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all Field Operations personnel.
IV. FORMS
Rabies Control Investigation Report (Bite Report)

2. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 2
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
Notice to Appear (Citation)
Notice to Appear (Anaheim Citation)
Notice to Comply (NTC)
Animal Head Information Slip
V. REFERENCES
CDFG Code 2118 and 2150 defines their responsibility relating to the handling,
possession, capture, confinement, and hunting of any native wildlife, including birds and
mammals. Native wildlife is considered to be owned by the State, even though it may be
in the possession of a private individual. Possession of certain species is prohibited
except under permit issued by the State. State law prohibits the capture and release of
wildlife to wilderness areas without a permit. CDFW responds to routine wildlife calls
regarding wildlife by distributing educational materials. However, CDFW wardens will
respond, in person, in cases of large predators which are causing an immediate threat to
human life or are reported injured (e. g. mountain lions).
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.04
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.08
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.11
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.21
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.29
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 600.34
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 700.02
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 700.03
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 700.04
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Illegally Owned Wildlife
1. Citizens in possession of wildlife that require a permit to possess for which
the person has no permit, or is in possession of an animal which is illegal to
possess, shall be issued by the investigating officer either a Notice to Comply

3. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 3
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
per OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.11 or a Notice to Appear per
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.08. All information pertaining to
the case shall be forwarded to the Staff Specialist assigned to Business
Licensing for further review regarding permitting.
2. The Officer will notify supervision for possible referral to the CDFW.
B. Impound and Release of Healthy Wildlife
Healthy native wildlife, except bats and red foxes, should not be removed from
the area of their native habitat. Should a resident insist on an animal’s removal,
the animal may be impounded and released in the same general vicinity.
1. Bats
a. While wearing appropriate safety gear, impound all accessible bats
and place them in a canister for transportation.
b. Advise the on duty veterinary staff and transport to OC Animal
Care.
c. Initiate all applicable paperwork required for impound and
submission of the bat for rabies (FRA) testing per OC Animal Care
Policy and Procedure 300.21 and 700.02.
d. Initiate a Chameleon Kennel Window per OC Animal Care Policy
and Procedure 600.34.
e. If the bat is impounded after hours, the canister will be placed in a
designated cage in the Receiving room.
2. Skunks
a. Officers will assist the reporting party in releasing healthy skunks.
b. A Sergeant will respond for field euthanasia of skunks appearing
unhealthy.
c. Initiate all paperwork required for impound of a rabies suspect
animal per OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.21 and
700.02.
d. Initiate a Chameleon Kennel Window per OC Animal Care Policy
and Procedure 600.34.

4. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 4
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
3. Poisonous Reptiles
a. Impound all accessible poisonous reptiles using County approved
safety equipment.
b. Euthanize the reptile by decapitation on site. Crush the decapitated
head and bury it in the field. Native Rattlesnakes may be placed
in an Agency approved snake container and transported to a safe
area in the same general vicinity as where it was found.
c. Bury the remaining carcass of the euthanized snake in the field or
dispose of at OC Animal Care by placing it in the appropriate
Station III barrel.
d. Initiate a Chameleon Kennel Window per OC Animal Care Policy
and Procedure 600.34.
4. Opossums
a. The reporting party may be referred to a State licensed rehabilitator
for impound of joeys (eyes opened or eyes closed and covered in
hair).
b. Removal of opossums by Officers are only made at the insistence
of the reporting party.
c. Delivery of joeys to a State licensed rehabilitation facility is to be
made prior to the end of the shift. As a last resort, the joeys can be
delivered to OC Animal Care where arrangements are to be made
for delivery on the following shift. If there is no State licensed
rehabilitation facility available to accept the joeys, they are to be
humanely euthanized.
d. Request the response of a Sergeant for field euthanasia of joeys
whose eyes have not yet opened or are not yet covered with hair.
e. Initiate a Chameleon Kennel Window per OC Animal Care Policy
and Procedure 600.34.
C. Impound of Injured, Sick or Debilitated Native Wildlife
Injured wildlife is impounded and transported for treatment only to licensed
rehabilitators and veterinarians who have been accepted to perform these services,
or to OC Animal Care.

5. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 5
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
1. In the case of moribund animals, a Sergeant is to be contacted for field
euthanasia or instruction.
2. Upon delivery to OC Animal Care, the impounding Officer shall complete
a Chameleon Kennel Window per OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure
600.34.
3. Veterinary staff is to be notified of the arrival of the animal.
D. Special Situations
1. Mountain Lions
a. An Animal Control Officer and Sergeant will be dispatched to the
area.
b. The Watch Commander will be notified immediately should a
mountain lion be located. The Watch Commander or his/her
designee will notify CDFW. Officers are to assist CDFW, as
needed.
c. Should the mountain lion pose a threat to human life or is in the act
of attacking a domestic animal, the Officers at the scene may take
appropriate action, including the use of chemical capture or
conventional firearm (with the approval of the Watch
Commander), to protect the health and safety of human or animal
life per OC Animal Care P&P 300.04.
d. All mountain lion reports are logged on the radio journal per OC
Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.29.
2. Coyotes and Bobcats
a. Appropriate action is to be taken in releasing confined healthy
coyotes or bobcats. A Chameleon Kennel Window is to be
initiated per OC Animal Care P&P 600.34.
b. Stray healthy coyotes or bobcats are to be driven from the area and
the citizen educated per policy.
c. If evidence exists that the coyote or bobcat constitutes a continuing
problem and/or hazard to human life or property, the Watch
Commander will be advised to determine the best course of action
to be taken in accordance with CDFW regulations.

6. Number: 300.22
SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HANDLING Page: 6
Date: 4/21/95
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Interim Director Revised: 2/3/15
E. Wildlife Involved in Bites to Humans or Exhibiting Symptoms of Rabies
The procedures regarding the quarantine of animals and the initiation of Rabies
Control Investigation Reports are to be followed pursuant to OC Animal Care
P&P 700.02-04.
1. Accessible animals will be impounded.
2. Conduct a thorough investigation as to the possible rabies exposure to
humans or domestic pets.
3. Initiate all applicable paperwork and Chameleon windows relating to the
impoundment of a biting animal.
4. Transport the animal to OC Animal Care.
5. Officers will attempt impound of all stray rabies suspect wild animals.
6. Initiate all applicable paperwork and Chameleon windows related to the
bite.
7. Enter recommendation on bite report relating to the viability of a trap
being utilized.
8. The first officer to handle a coyote bite is to contact CDFW to report the
incident.