What to know
- A Toronto woman says she contacted the City after finding a sick baby skunk but was told no one would come to assist her.
- The skunk later died, and the woman says she ultimately hired a private wildlife removal company to collect its body.
- The City says residents who find injured baby wildlife should first contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, such as the Toronto Wildlife Centre.
- If a wildlife rehabilitator cannot assist, residents can contact 311 and Toronto Animal Services will assess whether attendance is required.
A Toronto woman says she was left scrambling for help after City staff allegedly told her no one would come to assist with a sick baby skunk, prompting a response from Toronto officials.
Toronto local Michelle, under the username @mamabear_do, shared the story on TikTok after seeing the City of Toronto allegedly denying help.
@mamabear_do Today I found a sick baby skunk and contacted the City of Toronto looking for help. Instead of sending trained wildlife staff, I was told to handle the situation myself—even though I'm not trained or equipped to safely capture or transport a wild animal. This isn't just about one skunk. It's about the services residents expect when they pay taxes. What has your experience been with getting help from the city? #Toronto #Wildlife #Skunk #BabySkunk #311 ♬ original sound – Michelle
‘I was told no one would come’: What Michelle says happened
In the video, she explained that she found a sick baby skunk and tried to report it through the 311 app, but that it didn’t work. So, she contacted the city instead.
“I was told no one would come. Instead, I was expected to deal with the situation myself,” she said in the video.
But Michelle was dumbfounded, saying she’s not a wildlife expert and doesn’t have the required tools to help a sick animal.
“I don’t have a cage, protective equipment, or the training to safely capture and transport a sick wild animal,” she said in the video.
In the end, Michelle questioned why she is paying taxes if the City won’t help her in such a situation.
“I have to say, I’m very disappointed with the City of Toronto,” she said in the video.
The baby skunk didn’t survive
Michelle posted an update in her comments, stating that the baby skunk has passed away.
“Sadly, the baby skunk didn’t make it and passed away before I could get him the help he needed,” the comment reads in part.
She wrote that the veterinary clinic said they also probably wouldn’t have treated the skunk due to the severity of its sickness, and that its body was covered in ticks.
Michelle also didn’t realize she couldn’t leave the skunk’s body at the clinic and was advised by the vet to call 311 to take the skunk to Toronto Animal Services, but on a Sunday, the service is only open until 6:30 p.m., which didn’t work.
So, Michelle decided to contact a private wildlife removal company to pick up its body.
“I’m heartbroken that his story ended this way. I truly hoped he would have had a chance,” she wrote in the comments.
Now Toronto reached out to Michelle to hear more about her experience and did not receive a response by the time of publication.
What the City says residents should do with sick wildlife
The City of Toronto encourages residents who encounter baby wildlife to first determine whether the animal is injured or separated from its mother in order to determine the best course of action.
If a baby animal is injured, the City of Toronto recommends contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, such as the Toronto Wildlife Centre.
“If residents are unable to obtain assistance from a wildlife rehabilitator, they can contact 311 and Toronto Animal Services will assess the situation and determine whether attendance is required,” the statement reads in part.
More information can be found on the City’s Orphaned and Injured Wildlife website.
