Raccoons can be seen day or night. If seen out during the day, they should not be considered dangerous or assumed to carry rabies. Most raccoons pose no risk of transferring disease to humans, and the incidence of rabies in the New York City raccoon population is very small.

Do not feed raccoons. Raccoons can become a nuisance if people unknowingly supply food or shelter. Raccoons are attracted by food available in gardens, pet feeders, garbage, compost, and certain plants.

If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, wash the wound and see your doctor as soon as possible. Report sick or injured raccoons to 311. Make sure your pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date. It's the law. To further protect your dogs, be sure to keep them leashed.

Raccoons can live and make their homes in urban areas because of the amount of food that is available. Raccoons around homes in New York City is not unusual. Raccoons usually live in dens in hollow trees, but in urban areas they can also live in garages, abandoned buildings, rock piles, fireplace chimneys, hollow walls, attics, or beneath sewer drains.

If you have a raccoon issue, call a professional. Before taking measures to hire a licensed trapper, property owners should eliminate whatever food or shelter is attracting raccoons to their property. Block access to areas of your home, garage, or outdoor shed where raccoons might make their homes.

For homeowners who need to a hire a licensed professional, the New York State DEC website has information on how to find a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.

Raccoons are attracted to any home where food is available. You can take steps to keep raccoons and other wildlife from making a home around where you live by following these guidelines:

• Do not feed pets outside
• Purchase raccoon-proof garbage cans or put a weight on the lids of other garbage cans
• Do not leave bags of garbage on the ground
• Eliminate conditions on property that can be used as dens

Get more information about keeping raccoons away from your home and property.

Some raccoons have tested positive for canine distemper virus in:

• Central Park
• Pelham Bay Park
• Alley Pond Park
• Prospect Park

Although the virus cannot be transmitted to humans, it may be transmitted to dogs. A raccoon seen during the day should not automatically be considered dangerous or assumed to carry rabies or distemper. The symptoms of canine distemper virus can include: 

• Confused behavior
• Spasms
• Trouble breathing
• Discharge from the nose and eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Aggression

Dog owners should make sure their dogs have up-to-date distemper and rabies vaccinations. You and your pets should always keep a safe distance from wildlife, and never approach a wild animal. To further protect your dogs, be sure to keep them leashed.

In the event that a person is bitten:

• Wash the wound with soap and water immediately.
• Call a doctor or go to an emergency room for testing.

In the event that a pet comes in contact with a sick raccoon, they should receive treatment from a veterinarian immediately.

You can get a fact sheet called "Raccoons in New York City: What You Need to Know." 

This fact sheet explains how you can humanely remove raccoons from your property, discourage them from returning, and what to do if you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon.

Online

Get free copies of materials.

By Phone

Status

If you requested a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene publication over 2 weeks ago and have not received it, you can check the status. If you ordered it more recently, allow time for delivery and call back after 2 weeks if you still haven't received it.

Cancel Order

If your order has been placed, it likely already shipped. You can return unwanted copies at no cost to you by writing "Return to Sender" on the package and putting it in the mail.

Update Order

• To order additional items, you must place another order.
• To update a current order, be sure to include tracking order number.
• To update address, email, and organizational information you can email your requests to dohmhliterature@health.nyc.gov.

Out of Stock

If the publication you are looking for is currently out of stock, you can get assistance by phone.