Animal services can help answer questions about both domestic and wild animals in the Town of Comox, from licensing and off-leash areas, to handling urban wildlife in your area.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
To report a conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety call the BC Conservation Officer Services: 1-877-952-7277.
You may also wish to inform the Town by email or phone 250-339-5410.
If you see a marine mammal that is dead, injured, stranded or entangled, contact the DFO (Department of Fisheries and Ocean) BC Marine Mammal Response Network by:
- Phone: 1-800-465-4336 / Email: DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Be prepared to note:
- Date, time, and location (lat./long.) of animal
- Type of animal
- Behavior of the animal observed
- Entangling gear
- Visible injuries
Keep your distance - do not touch or move it as you may accidentally harm it or yourself and it may carry diseases that could transfer to you.
ABANDONED SEAL PUPS: Vancouver Aquarium 1- 604-258-7325
If it is located within the Town of Comox boundary and:
on public property that is:
- on or adjacent to a road or in a maintained park then Town staff will collect it - report to Town by email or phone 250-339-5410.
- injured deer on or beside road, call the RCMP non-emergency 250-338-1321 - they will euthanize it and advise Town when ready for collection.
- in an area that is wild such as the forest or in a park that is not "maintained" - Town staff may leave it in place to let nature take its course - report exact location to Town by email or phone 250-339-5410.
- on or adjacent to a road or in a maintained park then Town staff will collect it - report to Town by email or phone 250-339-5410.
on private property:
The property owner is responsible to remove and dispose of it at the CVRD Waste Management Facility in Cumberland, phone: 250-334-6000 for information.
- if the private property is vacant, that property owner is responsible for the maintenance thereon.
outside the Town of Comox boundary:
Phone the jurisdiction that it is located in; City of Courtenay 250-334-4441 or the Comox Valley Regional District 250-334-6000 and they can advise you on their procedure.
If it is located within the Town of Comox boundary and:
- on public property, Town staff will collect it - report to Town by email or phone 250-339-5410.
- on private property, you may choose to report it for tracking purposes - see link below for information on that. If you do report it, they may give you specific disposal instructions otherwise, use gloves to handle it, bag and dispose of in your household garbage cart.
Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus from birds to people. Although the virus isn’t transmitted from animals to humans, avoid handling dead birds with your bare hands. If you find a dead bird with a leg band, record the letters and numbers and contact the Ministry of Environment at 1-866-431-2473.
For more information you can click on the following link from the BC Government Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Protocol (PDF).
If the dog has been caught and contained, call the SPCA 250-339-7722.
The Town of Comox has an off-leash park located at the former Comox Elementary School location (Rodello Street and Fairbairn Avenue) - for more information, visit our Pets in Parks webpage here.
Yes, there are several stations located throughout the Town of Comox - visit our Pets in Parks webpage here.
Please help keep our parks clean and respect fellow users by picking up after your pet.
You may find your answer on the SPCA website: https://spca.bc.ca/i-need-help-with/wildlife/