“COYOTE WATCH” and COEXISTING

(your domestic animals)

Coyote watch is an ongoing watch! around your home, yard, neighborhood parks, fields or walking down the street. (truly keep domesticated pet cats indoors) Coyote’s habitat is being depleted more and more in many many towns, once was a “den” is now a house, building, strip mall etc… Most likely there is a stream of water, river, lake, pond, wetlands very close by you and once was a den is no longer. Coyotes young, old or in between need resources; water, food- small rodents and will kill domestic pets as small dogs, cats and sometimes bigger dogs and deer.

Coyotes camouflage themselves very well, and move real quick (a blink of an eye) plus they are opportunist either as a loner or in a pack. What is so important to remember is Coyotes mating season is “January or February.” The female bears one litter of three to nine puppies a year, usually in April or May when food is abundant. The gestation period is from 63 to 65 days. ( January, February, March, April and May are important months to remember) To mention that every month is really important when it comes to coyotes that is why “coyote watch is ongoing.”

Massachusetts Humane Society Animal Organization lived side by side with our neighbors “coyotes” for 10 years when we had an animal shelter in Weymouth MA. Coyotes would walk and bypass us, as to say “that 10 foot fence with barb/razor wire “I don’t think so”, plus they could not get under the fence either. (the fence was there more for human intruders/trespassers) Coyotes look for “easy/quick as possible” and are opportunist when they hunt for food. However we were always caution and supervised our dogs when they were out in the yard. We never had an incident with any Coyote (but never say never). We would see and hear coyotes, the parents and the pups growing up. We heard Coyotes hunt when they brought food home to the den, the high pitch howling of communication of excitement and success. (there were lots of rodents around the area for coyotes)

So please take the 10 minutes or more to educate yourself about Coyotes; most likely they are around somewhere. Take the time to MARK YOUR CALENDARS at home … about Coyotes mating in January & February and bearing pups in April and May = hunting for food of all kinds! So you are aware of your surroundings with your dogs, cats. When you walk your dog in certain wooded area or more isolated areas, keep your dog with the leash close to your side as you walk. Below are links for you to educate yourself and your family to be more aware of the behavioral, lifestyle and what to do if you have coyotes and the impact of the loss of habitat in your town that affects tremendously our neighbors, the COYOTES. It is heartbreaking when your pets become the prey. (make it a family affair to educate about coyotes in a non-lethal way)

Thank You, FOR ALL ANIMALS!