updated Feb 11, 2025
Nuisance Wildlife
Effective March 26, 2025, the City of Willoughby will no longer offer free animal trapping services. Rising costs have made it no longer feasible to continue providing this service.
If you need animal trapping assistance, Click Here for a List of Local Animal Trappers available for hire at the homeowner’s expense.
Homeowners may also choose to trap and euthanize nuisance animals themselves. Please note that releasing trapped nuisance animals is prohibited.
Additional Information:
- The Lake County General Health District does not assist with the removal of nuisance animals from homes or yards.
- Nuisance animals are typically healthy but may be living in close association with humans and homes.
For further questions or guidance, please contact the Willoughby Service Department:
- Phone: (440) 953-4111
- Email: acooper@willoughbyohio.com
Report Animal Bites and Scratches
If a wild animal, stray domestic animal, or pet has bitten or scratched a human or another animal, please report the incident to the Health District. Such encounters may require investigation for potential rabies exposure.
- If the wild animal is available, it should be humanely destroyed and kept cool for rabies testing.
- Efforts should also be made to identify and safely contain any stray domestic animal involved in the incident.
Bats In Home
If a bat is found in your home or has had contact with a person or pet, contact the Health District immediately. Do not release the bat outdoors without consulting the Health District first.
If you capture a bat, take care not to damage its brain to ensure proper testing if needed.
Rats Near Property
If you have concerns about rats in or around your property, please refer to this guide.
Collecting Sick or Strange-Acting Animals for Rabies Surveillance
- If you encounter a dead or strange-acting animal that may need rabies testing:
- Do not shoot the animal in the head—damage to the brain will prevent accurate testing.
- Use gloves and shovels to handle the animal safely, avoiding direct contact. Ensure the animal is relatively fresh, with an intact head and no maggots.
- Bag the animal and place it in an obvious location for pickup.
Contact for Pickup
- Weekday (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): Call the Health District at (440) 350-2543 for pickup as soon as possible.
- After Hours and Weekends: Call the answering service at (440) 974-5009 for emergency assistance.
The Health District can also train staff on personal protection techniques for handling wild animal calls.