Contact Delaware County Animal Control
Call any time, day or night, or send the form and we will call you back.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question or need support, feel free to reach out, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
When to call someone else
Some calls belong with a public agency or a rehabilitator, not with us.
Delaware County Animal Control is a private company you pay. Here is who to ring instead for the situations we do not handle.
Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Stray or dangerous dogs
For dog-law questions and matters handled by public authorities rather than private wildlife removal.
Pennsylvania Game Commission · Centralized Dispatch
Deer, game wildlife or wildlife emergency
PGC-WILD is the Commission’s 24-hour public dispatch line for wildlife reports and emergencies.
Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center
Injured or orphaned wildlife
Choose option 2. The clinic also publishes 215-853-6271 for text contact.
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research
Before you call
Know who you are calling and what happens next.
Is this the county or city animal control?
No. Delaware County Animal Control is a private company you pay. We remove wildlife. We do not run a shelter and we no longer pick up stray dogs or cats.
Do you answer 24 hours a day?
Yes. The phone is answered 24 hours a day. When we can arrive depends on the animal, the address, how busy we are and how urgent the situation is.
Can you repair the way the animal got in?
Yes. We close and repair most of the openings animals use. What it takes depends on the opening, so we tell you once we have seen it.
What animals do you handle?
Raccoons, squirrels, bats, groundhogs, skunks, opossums, foxes, snakes, rats and mice, birds in vents and chimneys, and wasp and hornet nests. We do not handle live dogs, cats or deer.
What is the difference between wildlife removal and wildlife control?
Removal takes out the animal that is there. Control also closes the openings it used and deals with what draws animals in, so the next one does not move in.
Do you use humane trapping?
Yes. We use cage traps, and we remove animals by hand when that is safe. The method depends on the animal and where it is, and we explain it before we start.
Can I call about an animal that is in the house right now?
Yes. The phone is answered 24 hours a day. Tell us if the animal is in the living space, trapped or hurt, or if someone may have been bitten.
Where do animals get into older homes?
Roof returns, soffits, gaps in the fascia, vents, chimneys, gaps around pipes and wires, foundation openings and the joint where an addition meets the house. We follow the signs you describe instead of guessing.
How are bats removed from a building?
We find the gaps the bats use, fit one-way exits so they can leave, and seal the house once they are gone. In early summer we wait until the young can fly.
Can a dead animal cause a smell or health problem?
Yes. A dead animal in a wall or an attic causes a strong smell and draws flies. We find it, remove it and clean the spot.
Can you repair damage after the animal is gone?
Yes. We repair vents, soffits, fascia and other openings, with material cut to fit each one.
When are wasps and hornets at their worst?
Nests grow through the summer and are biggest in late summer. If they turn out to be honey bees, we point you to a beekeeper.
What is the biggest mistake to avoid before calling?
Sealing the hole before you know whether an animal or its young are still inside. Note where and when you hear it, and call.
Why do raccoons and squirrels use attics and chimneys?
They are warm, dry and safe places to raise young. Trees close to the roof and loose vents or caps make them easy to reach.
Does closing the openings stop animals coming back?
Yes, when it is done after the animal is out and the weak spots near the hole are closed at the same time. Seal one gap and leave three beside it, and the next animal uses one of the three.
Is Delaware County Animal Control licensed and insured?
Yes. The business is licensed and insured, and licensed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.