Wildlife removal in Ohio
Ohio regulates paid wildlife removal through the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Operators need a CNWACO license. The most important rule for homeowners: rabies-vector species such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and opossums must be released on the same property or euthanized - they cannot be trucked to a park or the countryside.
Get connected with a provider in Ohio
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EmergencyAnimalRemoval.com is an independent connection service. We are not a government animal control agency and do not directly perform wildlife removal. When you call, you may be connected with an independent, third-party wildlife removal provider or a partner call center. We may be compensated when callers are connected with a partner provider. Availability, services, pricing, and licensing vary by location.
What Ohio law allows
- Paid wildlife removal requires a Commercial Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operator (CNWACO) license, renewed annually.
- Rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks, beavers, coyotes, foxes, opossums) must be released on-site or euthanized. Off-property relocation is prohibited without separate authorization.
- Bats may only be excluded, never killed, unless a bite or possible rabies exposure has occurred.
- Approved bat exclusion windows are April 1 to May 15 and August 1 to October 15. Work outside those dates needs written ODNR authorization.
Rules paraphrased from the ODNR Division of Wildlife — the primary source. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
Relocation rules
Ohio prohibits relocating raccoons and other rabies-vector species off the property. The lawful outcomes are on-site release or euthanasia. Any provider who promises to "give your raccoon a new home in the country" is describing something Ohio law does not allow.
Bat rules
In Ohio, bats can only be excluded (never killed) unless a rabies exposure occurred, and exclusion is limited to April 1 - May 15 and August 1 - October 15 to protect maternity colonies.
Covered cities in Ohio
Toledo
Lucas County · Common calls: raccoons, skunks, gray squirrels
Akron
Summit County · Common calls: raccoons, groundhogs, gray squirrels
Canton
Stark County · Common calls: groundhogs, skunks, raccoons
Youngstown
Mahoning County · Common calls: raccoons, opossums, gray squirrels
Lorain
Lorain County · Common calls: raccoons, skunks, gray squirrels
Ohio wildlife law FAQs
Can a raccoon trapped at my Ohio home be relocated somewhere else?
No. Ohio requires rabies-vector species like raccoons and skunks to be released on-site or euthanized. Moving them off your property is prohibited without separate state authorization, so exclusion and entry-point sealing are the real long-term fix.
When can bats legally be excluded from an Ohio house?
April 1 to May 15 and August 1 to October 15. Outside those windows, providers need written ODNR authorization, because summer exclusions can trap flightless pups inside your walls.
Talk to someone about your animal problem now
Call (833) 555-0100Calls answered 24/7. No obligation.
EmergencyAnimalRemoval.com is an independent connection service. We are not a government animal control agency and do not directly perform wildlife removal. When you call, you may be connected with an independent, third-party wildlife removal provider or a partner call center. We may be compensated when callers are connected with a partner provider. Availability, services, pricing, and licensing vary by location.