Emergency Wildlife Removal — New York
Wildlife emergency in your home? Call Wildlife NY now. 24/7 response for bat exposure, raccoon in attic, skunks, aggressive animals, and more. NYS DEC licensed.
🚨 Wildlife Emergency? Call Now.
Bat exposure requires immediate contact with your health department.
When Wildlife Becomes an Emergency
Most wildlife problems are urgent — but some are true emergencies requiring immediate action. Wildlife NY provides emergency response across New York for situations that cannot wait. If you're unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us now at (516) 447-4673 — we will help you assess the situation and advise on immediate steps.
The most critical wildlife emergency in New York is a bat found in a room where people were sleeping or could have had physical contact. Bats can carry rabies, and because their bites are small and sometimes painless, exposure may not be obvious. The NYS Department of Health recommends that any situation involving potential bat-human contact be evaluated for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — which is highly effective when started promptly.
Other wildlife emergencies include aggressive animals, skunks in enclosed spaces, animals actively entering living areas, and injured wildlife creating public safety hazards. For all of these, Wildlife NY's licensed technicians provide rapid, professional response.
Common Wildlife Emergencies in New York
Bat in Living Space
CRITICALA bat found in a room where people were sleeping or could have had contact is a potential rabies exposure. Capture the bat if possible (do not release it). Call Wildlife NY and contact your local health department or NYS DOH immediately. Do not wait.
→ Call us NOW + contact health dept
Raccoon in Attic or Living Space
URGENTRaccoons entering living areas are an immediate concern. They can be aggressive when cornered, carry rabies, and will cause significant damage quickly. Do not attempt to corner or capture the animal. Isolate the area and call Wildlife NY.
→ Call us for same-day removal
Skunk Under Deck or in Crawlspace
URGENTSkunks are relatively docile but will spray if startled. A skunk in an enclosed space near your home can spray with devastating results — the odor penetrates walls and HVAC systems. Keep pets and children away and call Wildlife NY for professional removal.
→ Do NOT approach — call us
Aggressive or Disoriented Animal
CRITICALAn animal that is aggressive without provocation, circling, falling over, or active during abnormal hours may be rabid. Keep all people and pets away and do not approach. Call Wildlife NY and contact local animal control or police if the animal is a public safety risk.
→ Keep distance — call us + animal control
Injured Wildlife
MODERATEInjured wildlife can bite and scratch even when not aggressive. Do not attempt to handle the animal. For protected species (bats, raptors, songbirds), NYSDEC-licensed rehabilitators should be contacted. Call Wildlife NY and we will connect you with the right resource.
→ Keep distance — call us
Animal Trapped in Walls
URGENTScratching, crying, or movement sounds inside walls indicate a trapped animal. This requires prompt action — animals die in walls creating odor and secondary pest problems. Wildlife NY uses specialized equipment to locate and extract trapped animals with minimal structural damage.
→ Call us for rapid response
🦇 Bat Exposure — Immediate Action Protocol
If a bat has been in a room where people were sleeping, a child was present and unattended, or anyone had direct contact with the bat — this is a medical situation requiring immediate action.
- 1Do NOT release the bat. If possible, confine it in the room with a door closed so it can be captured for testing.
- 2Call Wildlife NY immediately at (516) 447-4673 for bat capture and removal.
- 3Contact your local health department or the NYS DOH to report the potential exposure and receive guidance on rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- 4Seek medical evaluation promptly. PEP is highly effective but must be initiated quickly. Do not delay waiting to see if symptoms develop — rabies is fatal once symptomatic.
NYS DOH Rabies Hotline information: Contact your county health department or call 1-800-4CANCER (for after-hours rabies exposure guidance).
What To Do While Waiting for Wildlife NY
Keep all family members and pets away from the animal
Close doors to contain the animal in one area if possible
Do not attempt to trap or handle the animal yourself
Note where and when you first saw the animal
For bats: turn on lights (bats avoid light) and open a window if you cannot contain it
For skunks: move slowly, avoid sudden movements or loud noises
Wildlife NY's Emergency Response
When you call Wildlife NY with an emergency, here's what happens:
Immediate Phone Assessment
We assess the situation, advise on immediate safety steps, and determine response priority — all within minutes of your call.
Rapid Dispatch
For critical emergencies — especially bat exposure — we dispatch the nearest available licensed technician as quickly as possible.
Safe, Professional Removal
Our licensed technicians handle the animal safely, document what is needed for health reporting, and address the entry point to prevent recurrence.
Emergency Wildlife Removal — FAQ
Wildlife Emergency? Don't Wait — Call Now.
24/7 emergency wildlife removal across New York. NYS DEC licensed. Bat exposure requires immediate action — call Wildlife NY and your health department.