Coyotes are common in Thousand Oaks because of adjacent COSCA open space and Santa Monica Mountains habitat. The city follows Ventura County and CDFW guidance: haze, do not feed, secure pets and trash, and report aggressive coyotes to animal services.
Thousand Oaks borders roughly 15,000 acres of COSCA open space, so coyote sightings in residential neighborhoods are routine. The city aligns with California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ventura County Animal Services guidance: never feed coyotes, secure pet food and trash, supervise small pets, and use loud hazing (yelling, air horns, water sprays) to reinforce wariness. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing repeated bold or aggressive behavior, coordinated through CDFW and county animal services rather than residents acting independently.
Feeding coyotes, leaving pet food outside, or unauthorized killing of coyotes can lead to citations under TOMC Title 6 and California Fish and Game Code.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks discourages wildlife feeding due to the city's extensive interface with natural areas including the Santa Monica Mountains. Feeding that attrac...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks Title 6 (Animals) requires owned cats over four months to be vaccinated against rabies and identifiable. Conejo Valley Animal Control handles i...
See how other cities in Ventura County handle coyote management.
See how Thousand Oaks's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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