With these simple precautions, everyone can enjoy our natural areas without worry.вЂќДЄs an urban land trust and environmental institute, the rare Charitable Research Reserve protects over 1,200 acres of environmentally sensitive lands throughout Waterloo Region and Wellington County while engaging with the community to help build support for understanding and protecting these lands. вЂњThis is done to protect local wildlife from unleashed dogs,вЂќ says rare Communications Officer James Bow, вЂњAnd to protect dogs from local wildlife. However, dogs are welcome on the ECO Centre Trail, the Grand AllГ©e Trail, the Maple Lane Trail and the Deer Run Trail, so long as dogs remain on their leash.

On the rare Charitable Research Reserve, dogs are not allowed on the Osprey Tower Trail, the River Trail, the Woodland Trail, the Alvar Trail and the Butterfly Interactive Loop. It is also important to avoid potentially affected wildlife, meaning that dogs should be kept on a leash, particularly when walking on nature trails, or anywhere else where wildlife might be encountered. вЂњHave your pets vaccinated against distemper and stay up on their boosters,вЂќ says Dowd. While the increase in distemper is a concern, the risk to household pets is easily minimized. Animals with distemper will often not be afraid of humans, and they can attack if cornered. Other symptoms include pus discharge from the eyes and confusion.

Raccoons with distemper engage in unusual behaviour, walking around in daylight, moving slowly, and stumbling when walking. Humans are unaffected by distemper, but raccoons, dogs and cats are susceptible, as well as foxes and coyotes. вЂњMost likely itвЂ™s due to raccoon numbers increasing in every city in North America.вЂќДistemper is a viral disease that affects several mammals. вЂњWe have seen a definite increase,вЂќ says Dowd. Based on this behaviour itвЂ™s likely that distemper is going around the local raccoon population.вЂќД«ill Dowd, CEO of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, a large Canadian wildlife control company with franchise locations across Canada and the United States, agrees that the incidence of distemper is increasing.

вЂњWeвЂ™ve also encountered a few raccoons that were out during the day, had injuries, seemed lethargic, were not shy of people, and kept wandering into the road. вЂњThis spring we have noticed a large number of raccoons that have been hit by cars on Blair Road,вЂќ says Michelle MacMillan, educator at rare. Responding to daylight sightings of racoons suspected to be suffering from distemper, the rare Charitable Research Reserve is advising individuals keep an eye out for racoons and to protect their pets by keeping them indoors or on a leash, particularly if they are walking nature trails with their dogs.

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