Common Questions

Q&A

Commonly-Asked Questions

Question: Why is this separate from SCWR's mission as a rescue organization?

Answer: The state of California only allows animals to be rescued if they are sick, orphaned, or injured. If you are aware of an animal that fits this description, call our help line (707) 526-WILD. If the animal is healthy, and in your home - SCWR has created its exclusion service to help.

Question: Can I get free advice?

Answer: Absolutely - our on-call volunteers are happy to give you advice on what attracts animals, and some effective ways to discourage them. Call our help line at 526-WILD.

Question: What are some of the reasons animals "invade" my home?

Answer: There are two common reasons:

Food: Please be careful if you are thinking of blocking off entry points, or removing an animal yourself - you could be leaving a litter of babies under your house!
A warm dry place, often to have babies: For general issues with animals around your house, be sure to bring animal (cat food, dog food) in at night.

Question: Why is there a $75 initial assessment fee?

Answer: If your needs go beyond basic advice, a technician needs to perform an inspection and assess the situation, and a basic fee is charged. The exclusion service uses paid technicians, and has basic office expenses. SCWR requires the exclusion service to cover its own expenses. Because real expenses are incurred to assess a situation, a basic fee is required to offset those costs. However, if you shop around, you will find out that our fees are very reasonable. Were are here to help the community and wild animals - so we charge comparatively low fees.

Question: What is the difference between Exclusion and Trapping

Answer: Trapping entails immediately catching the animal and taking it away. Trappers are required by law to kill any animal they remove from your property - unless the animal is released nearby. Typically, techniques used to kill animals are cheap, and horrific. They can be so dreadful that we will not even mention them here. Also, trapping is not very effective for two reasons:

Trapping a mother leaves the babies to die under the house. Often, animals go under your house specifically to have babies.
The crawlspace that allowed one animal to enter your home will allow others to enter in the future. Unless the core issue is resolved, you will likely have the problem again.

"Exclusion" is based on the fact that animals leave your home on their own to forage for food and water. Single animals can be "evicted" without delay. Mothers may need a little more time to leave with the babies in tow. This can require a little more patience, but is more effective and humane. In addition, we close up the access points to greatly reduce the chance of future problems. Exclusion allows the animal to remain in their existing territory, while keeping them out of your home or other buildings.