Living with Wildlife in Cosmopolis

Surrounded by forests, rivers, and natural spaces, Cosmopolis is home to a variety of wildlife. Black bears, coyotes, raccoons, and deer may occasionally be seen in neighborhoods, parks, and near homes.

Most wild animals prefer to avoid people, but knowing how to respond to an encounter can help keep you, your family, your pets, and local wildlife safe.

General Wildlife Safety

A few simple precautions can help prevent unwanted wildlife encounters:

• Never feed wild animals. Feeding wildlife can encourage animals to approach homes and people.
• Keep your distance. Never approach, touch, or attempt to capture a wild animal.
• Secure garbage and food. Keep trash containers closed, bring pet food indoors, and pick up fallen fruit.
• Supervise pets. Keep dogs leashed on walks and watch small pets outdoors.
• Give animals space to leave. Never corner wildlife or block its escape route.
• Keep children away from wildlife, including young animals that appear alone.

Black Bears

Black bears live throughout western Washington and may wander into residential areas searching for food. Although encounters are usually peaceful, bears are powerful animals and should always be treated with caution.

If You Encounter a Bear

• Stay calm and do not run.
• If the bear hasn't noticed you, quietly move away.
• If the bear sees you, slowly back away while keeping it in view.
• If it approaches, stand tall, raise your arms, and speak in a low voice.
• If it continues approaching, clap, stomp, and shout to discourage it.
• Carry bear spray in bear habitat and know how to use it.
• If a black bear physically attacks, fight back. Do not play dead.

Preventing Bear Visits

Keep garbage secure, remove accessible bird feeders, clean outdoor grills, and never leave pet food outside. Bears attracted to human food may return repeatedly.

Coyotes

Coyotes are adaptable animals that can live near wooded areas and neighborhoods. They typically avoid people but may be attracted by unsecured food, garbage, or small animals.

If You Encounter a Coyote

• Do not run.
• Stand tall, face the coyote, and make yourself appear larger.
• Shout, clap, or wave your arms to frighten it away.
• If it approaches, continue making loud noises and move toward safety.
• Keep children close and pets under control.

Protecting Your Pets

Keep cats indoors when possible, supervise small dogs outside, and always leash dogs during walks. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, especially overnight.

Raccoons

Raccoons are common throughout western Washington and are frequently seen near homes, trees, and waterways. They are generally active at night and may search through garbage or seek shelter beneath buildings.

If You Encounter a Raccoon

• Keep your distance and never attempt to pet or feed it.
• Do not corner the animal, particularly if it has young.
• Give it a clear path to leave.
• Keep pets and children away.
• If a raccoon appears sick, injured, or unusually aggressive, avoid contact and seek guidance from wildlife authorities.

Preventing Raccoon Problems

Secure trash cans, bring pet food indoors, and close openings beneath decks and sheds after confirming that no animals are inside.

Deer

Deer are a familiar sight in wooded and residential areas. Although they may appear gentle, they are still wild animals and can become defensive, particularly when protecting their young.

If You Encounter a Deer

• Observe from a distance and do not approach or feed it.
• Give deer plenty of room to move away.
• Be especially cautious around mothers with fawns and bucks during the fall breeding season.
• If a deer acts aggressively, slowly retreat and place a sturdy barrier between yourself and the animal if possible.
• Keep dogs leashed and prevent them from chasing deer.

Driving Around Deer

Deer may cross roadways unexpectedly, particularly around dawn and dusk. Slow down in wooded areas, watch for additional deer after one crosses, and brake firmly rather than swerving into another lane.

Found a Fawn Alone?

A young deer resting alone is not necessarily abandoned. Mothers often leave their fawns hidden while searching for food. Unless a fawn is clearly injured or you know its mother has died, leave it alone.

Feral & Free-Roaming Cats

Feral and free-roaming cats are a concern in some Cosmopolis neighborhoods. While some outdoor cats are lost or abandoned pets, others have had little human contact and may be difficult to approach.

The City of Cosmopolis works with Animal Control to address feral cat populations and help ensure the safety and well-being of animals and residents.

What to Do if You Encounter a Feral Cat

• Keep your distance. Do not chase, corner, or attempt to handle an unfamiliar or frightened cat.
• Contact Animal Control. If you notice a large number of stray or feral cats in your neighborhood, contact the city for guidance.
• Avoid attracting additional animals. Do not leave pet food outdoors unattended, as it can attract raccoons and other wildlife.
• Report injured or abandoned animals. Contact Animal Control rather than attempting to capture an animal yourself.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Under Cosmopolis Municipal Code 8.08.010, dogs and cats within city limits must be licensed, with licenses renewed annually.

City regulations also prohibit allowing animals to run at large or abandoning them (CMC 8.12.010).

Pet owners are encouraged to keep their animals safely contained and consider spaying or neutering to help prevent unwanted litters.

To license your pet or ask about animal control concerns, contact Cosmopolis City Hall at 360-532-9230.

For more information, visit the Cosmopolis Municipal Code – Title 8, Animals.

When to Report Wildlife

Seeing wildlife in your neighborhood does not necessarily mean there is a problem. Most animals will move along on their own if given space.

However, residents should report wildlife that poses an immediate danger, behaves aggressively, or appears seriously injured.

Immediate danger: Call 911 if an animal presents an immediate threat to human safety.

Non-emergency dangerous wildlife concerns: Contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at 877-933-9847.

Injured or orphaned wildlife: Do not attempt to capture or transport the animal yourself. Visit the WDFW Injured or Orphaned Wildlife page for guidance.

For additional information about safely sharing our neighborhoods with wildlife, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Keeping Cosmopolis Safe for Everyone

Wildlife is an important part of our community's natural environment. By respecting wild animals, securing food sources, and understanding how to respond during encounters, we can help protect both our residents and the wildlife that shares our home.