Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

WILDLIFE and PETS
We appreciate our pets and the presence of wildlife on our property, but need to be careful
to ensure we are not negatively impacting the environment around us. Wildlife is just that
– wild. By being aware of how our actions affect the plants and animals around us, we can
make sure that the natural environment maintains its healthy form and function.
Maintain natural levels of wild animals by reducing
and eliminating attractants on your property.
• Place all garbage in good storage containers that cannot be
accessed by animals.
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Keep your compost far away from water in a sealed, animal-proof container. Turn regularly to reduce
odours.
• Keep all pet food inside.
Water-Pennywort
Common Nighthawk
Populations of wild animals such as squirrels and raccoons generally increase in developed areas. These
animals can impact turtle populations by preying on hatchlings and digging up turtle nests to eat the eggs.
It is important to remember that predators are not “bad” species and that predation is a part of a natural
ecosystem. However, by keeping our land free of attractants, we can avoid artificially raising predator
populations to levels that would not occur naturally.
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You are responsible for your pet and its actions. Keep your cat and dog on a leash or
in an enclosed area when outdoors.
Cats and dogs can disturb and kill wildlife. Under the Nova Scotia Wildlife Act it is against the law to allow
a dog to run “at large” or unaccompanied by its owner. Free-roaming cats are estimated to kill hundreds
of millions of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals every year. One cat can have a huge impact on
wildlife (even if it has a bell or is de-clawed), and can kill many animals per week. Most wildlife kills go
unnoticed and it is difficult for a pet owner to realize the full impact of their pet.
Prevent the spread of invasive species when fishing and boating.
• Do not move fish from one lake or stream into another.
• Do not release live bait (see page 37 for a list of prohibited bait species).
• Drain live wells and bilge water from your boat before leaving a water body. Remove all plants, mussels,
and other visible organisms from your boat.
• Wash or dry all your fishing gear (trailer, boots, tackle, etc) away from water bodies to kill the aquatic
species on them, which can live for two weeks out of the water.