Pittsburgh, PA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Pittsburgh Code § 636.06
- Who may capture birds
- Bureau, vets, rehabbers, PA Game Commission only
- Public rescue allowed
- Only to transport injured bird to approved entity
- First-offense fine
- $100 plus costs, per § 636.05
- Covers
- Any wild bird, pigeons included
Summary
Pittsburgh law limits who may capture or trap a wild or non-domesticated bird, including pigeons, to the city's Animal Care and Control Bureau, licensed vets, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, permitted wildlife handlers, and the PA Game Commission, with a narrow rescue exception for the public.
No person or entity, other than a properly qualified and trained employee of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Animal Care and Control, licensed veterinarians, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife capture and transportation permittees, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission shall capture or trap any wild or non-domesticated bird.
(c) The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Animal Care & Control ("Bureau"), licensed veterinarians, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife capture and transportation permittees, and Pennsylvania Game Commission shall only capture or trap a wild or non-domesticated bird if the Bureau believes, in its sole discretion, that removal of the wild or non-domesticated bird is necessary and if one or more of the following circumstances apply:
(1) The wild or non-domesticated bird is injured; or
(2) The wild or non-domesticated bird is located within the interior portion of a building. Exempt persons: To any person attempting to rescue a wild or non-domesticated bird that appears to be injured or endangered for the sole purpose of rescuing the bird and immediately transporting it to an approved entity under this Section.
(d) No person or entity shall, for any reason, sell a wild or non-domesticated bird that is native or indigenous to Pennsylvania.
Full Breakdown
Pittsburgh Code § 636.06 bars anyone from capturing or trapping a wild or non-domesticated bird, a term that expressly covers pigeons, except the city's Bureau of Animal Care and Control, licensed veterinarians, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife capture and transportation permittees, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Even those approved entities may act only when the bird is injured or is trapped inside a building. A separate exemption lets an ordinary resident rescue an obviously injured or endangered bird, but only to hand it off immediately to one of the approved entities above: it is not a standing permit to keep, treat, or relocate wildlife independently, and selling a native wild bird is banned outright.
Violations & Fines
Under § 636.05, violating this chapter draws a $100 fine plus costs for a first offense and $300 plus costs for each repeat offense; unauthorized capture of a wild bird can also be charged as harming it under § 636.06(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rescue an injured pigeon in Pittsburgh myself?
Who is allowed to trap wild birds in Pittsburgh?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania animal ordinances overview
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