Bergen County Animal Control

08/12/2026

Bats are protected in New Jersey under the Endangered and Non-Game Species Conservation Act.
It is illegal to harm, harass, poison or kill bats except when capture is required for official rabies testing. Lethal control, poisons or glue traps are prohibited for bat control.
Homeowners can humanely seal off and evict bat colonies from attics or buildings from August 1st to October 15th. after bat “pups” are old enough to fly.
Summer months are peak season for bats in New Jersey as the pups are now old enough to fly and are becoming more active.
If a bat is found in an occupied living space and has had direct contact with humans or pets contact Animal Control in your municipality for safe capture and rabies testing.
Bergen County Animal Control can be reached at 201-229-4616 24/7

The attached photos are from Bergen County Animal Controls response to a bat that was stuck on a glue trap meant for insects. The bat was successfully removed and will go to an appropriate NJ Licensed rehab facility until it can be released. Good Job Animal Control Officer Sims!

07/17/2026

These Pekin Ducks were captured from a pond in a local park after Bergen County Animal Control was contacted.
Pekin Ducks are flightless ducks that are often kept as pets, and for their meat.
Pekin ducks require special food and shelter.
The ducks will be moved to a safe location with proper care.
Abandoning domestic animals is a crime.
Bergen County Animal Control can be reached at 201-229-4616 24/7

07/01/2026

You never know what the next call you will be responding to when working in Animal Control.
Tonight a call involving a kitten stuck deep in a drain pipe in River Edge came in.
Bergen County Animal Control Officer Taylor Groome immediately responded and with the assistance of River Edge Police Officer Doran was able to use her skill with a catch pole and save the kitten.

06/21/2026

Right now there are many birds that have babies! After the eggs hatch the babies are called hatchlings . Hatchlings are are helpless out of the nest and if possible should be returned to the nest.
The next stage is nestling, wheee the babies grow and are completely dependent on their parents.
Once the baby birds are ready to leave the nest the next stage is called fledglings
Fledglings often look like angry disheveled birds.
Fledglings may have feathers but, their wings and tail feathers are not fully functional.
The fledglings parents will care for them on the ground until they are capable of taking care of themselves.
If you see a hatchling or nestling on the ground , they need immediate attention!
If you see a fledgling , leave it be, chances are the parents are caring for it.
If you suspect the bird is not being cared for, is sick or injured contact Animal Control.
Bergen County Animal Control can be reached at 201-229-4616

06/03/2026

From the Last Resort

Well say it AGAIN and AGAIN
FOR those in the Back!

🚨 PLEASE STOP "RESCUING" FAWNS 🚨

We know your heart is in the right place.

Every spring, kind and caring people come across a tiny fawn lying quietly alone in the grass and assume it's been abandoned. The urge to help is completely understandable.

But the truth is...

That fawn is almost certainly exactly where it's supposed to be.

Mother deer intentionally leave their babies hidden for long periods while they feed nearby. The fawn's job is to stay still, stay quiet, and wait. Mom's job is to stay away until it's safe to return.

Unfortunately, we see the heartbreaking consequences of unnecessary "rescues" every year.

Healthy fawns are taken from the wild and brought to rehabilitators dehydrated, stressed, malnourished, injured from improper handling, or suffering from aspiration after being fed the wrong things. Some don't survive the stress alone. Others lose the chance to be raised by the one creature best equipped to care for them—their mother.

If a fawn is curled up quietly, appears alert, and has no obvious injuries, please leave it alone.

Do not touch it.
Do not feed it.
Do not move it.
Do not pose for photos with it.

The greatest act of kindness is often doing nothing at all.

However, if the fawn is continuously crying for hours, wandering aimlessly, covered in flies, visibly injured, weak, or has ears that are curled and dehydrated, then it's time to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

Please help us spread the word. Share this post. Talk to your friends and neighbors.

Every fawn that stays with its mother has the best possible chance at life.

Sometimes the best rescue... is no rescue at all. 🦌❤️

06/02/2026

Glue traps cause slow inhumane deaths! They also catch non-targeted animals such as birds and reptiles.
Yesterday a Northern Water Snake was caught on a glue trap.
Bergen County Animal Control responded and brought the animal back to their headquarters where Officers Lyons and Scotti were able to free the snake. The snake was subsequently released back where it was found.

05/22/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122176194338918467&id=61577554018161

05/19/2026

It is the time of year when deer give birth.
Does usually have 1 or 2 fawns, sometimes 3.
At birth fawns have no scent which helps protect them from predators.
The mother or doe will leave the fawn where she feels it will be safe and will only return a couple of times each day to nurse it. She may move the fawn a short distance every couple of days.
She will leave the fawn until it is strong enough to keep up with her.

The fawn should be left alone unless:

*It is laying down on its side with legs out.
*It is running around screaming for over an hour.
*It has been attacked or is injured.
*There are flies around it.
*Its mother is dead.

If you have concerns contact you contracted Animal Control Service.
Bergen County Animal Control can be reached 24/7 at 201-229-4616

04/26/2026

There are several species of turtles that are native to New Jersey.
Spring is when turtles emerge from hibernation and lay their eggs
If you come across a turtle crossing a road, ALWAYS move it or allow it to move in the direction it is traveling! Do not turn them around or reroute them.
Turtles cross at the same spot every year to lay eggs.
NEVER relocate them!
Handle them carefully and never pick them up by the tail.
ALWAYS be safe!