Alexander SumnerPhilly’s wildlife loves to invite itself into places it doesn’t belong. Raccoons raid your trash like it’s a 5-star buffet, or squirrels claim your attic as their new vacation home. Once they move in, good luck getting them to leave.
I’ve dealt with it myself—a groundhog in my yard and failed DIY attempts that only made things worse. Trust me, yelling at them or trying random remedies doesn’t work. Eventually, I had to call in the pros.
That experience taught me one thing: professional animal control makes all the difference.
That’s why I’ve rounded up the best animal control services in Philadelphia to help you reclaim your space. If you’re done sharing your home with creatures that don’t pay rent, keep reading.
How much do animal control services cost in Philadelphia?
Animal control services in Philadelphia cost between $99 and $599, depending on the scope of removal, repairs, and prevention measures. Additional charges may apply for specialized services, such as dead animal disposal.
1. Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center
Address: 2815 Township Line Rd, Norristown, 19403
Contact Details: +1 267-416-9453
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center, located just 27 minutes from Philly in Norristown, specializes in rescuing and treating injured or orphaned wildlife across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties.
In addition to rehabilitation, the center emphasizes public education. They work tirelessly to teach people about proper wildlife interaction and intervention, encouraging people to bring animals in only when it’s truly necessary.
When I called to report the injured bird, the staff walked me through the steps to safely capture and transport it. They ensured both my safety and the bird’s well-being.
A key point to keep in mind is their admissions policy. While their team is incredibly supportive, the public must transport animals to their facility. They don’t offer pickup services.
It’s also worth noting that the center does not handle wildlife removal for “unwanted” animals or those that haven’t been injured or orphaned. This distinction is important to remember if you’re seeking general animal control services.
Grateful this center exists
“Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center took in an injured starling I found one Summer Sunday without hesitation. I rushed there not sure what to expect but they have been nursing him back to health. In an update call, I also learned he has other starling friends to keep him company in his recovery. I was amazed they rely entirely on the public and I’m going to make a donation there in support of the bird I found and others. I am greatful they exist.”
– Taliah Sykes, Google Review
Super sweet people
“Hi, I’m Rohith. While passing through Malvern, I saw a tiny bird that got hit and couldn’t fly. I carefully picked him up using a cloth and paper towels and started looking for help. First stop—a nearby dog shelter. Nope, no luck there. Then I called a few wildlife centers—one only took bats (yes, bats 🦇), and the others couldn’t help. Finally, I found Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center, about 25 minutes away. When I got there, I explained everything to a kind lady, and she immediately took the bird, smiled, and said, “His name is Robin… and don’t worry—we can fix his feather.” Then, in one of the most unexpectedly wholesome moments ever, she showed the little robin to a group of other robins they were already treating. Now The little Robin felt safe—he got some homies. 🐦 They even gave me a form and a number so I can check on him later. Super sweet people, genuinely doing amazing work. Thank you so much for what you do!”
– Rohith Y, Google Review
2. Wildman Wildlife Solutions
Address: Gilbertsville, 19525
Contact Details: +1 267-250-3656
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wildman Wildlife Solutions, located about an hour from Philadelphia, truly impressed me with their focus on humane and professional wildlife removal.
The company is led by Mark Prusaitis, whose background working at the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association and the Philadelphia Zoo really stood out to me. It’s rare to find someone with that level of hands-on animal experience combined with technical skills in wildlife control.
Wildman handles a wide variety of animals, from squirrels and raccoons to bats, especially in tricky situations where animals are trapped inside walls or attics.
I was particularly struck by how thorough they are in animal exclusion services. They take care to seal all entry points and prevent future invasions, offering a one-year guarantee on most exclusion work.
This provides peace of mind that your home will stay critter-free. However, some competitors offer longer warranties, which may appeal to customers seeking longer-term reassurance.
Arrives exactly on schedule
“We called Wildman Wildlife solutions based upon recent positive reviews. We had an excellent experience and I would use them again and recommend them highly. We heard noises in our wall in one room and ceiling in another room. I called and Wildman got right back to me, set up an appointment and Mark arrived exactly on schedule. He climbed all over, inside and out, and identified some holes into the house. He sent an electronic estimate to trap the critters and close the holes, we agreed to it and paid a deposit. Mark arrived to do the work as scheduled. All went as planned so Mark came back to check and remove the traps as scheduled. No fun having critters inside the walls but working with Mark at Wildman was a very positive experience.”
– Susan Mangold, Google Review
Saved my sleep and my sanity
“Anthony from the Wildman Wildlife team saved my sleep and my sanity by getting squirrels out of my ceiling and patching the hole. The process took about 2 months, between necessary prep on my end and then getting traps set, etc. Very grateful to not have screaming squirrels interrupting my sleep anymore. THANK YOU!”
– Sandy Gibney, Google Review
3. ACCT
Address: 111 W Hunting Park Ave, 19140
Contact Details: +1 267-385-3800
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
ACCT (Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia) provides a range of vital services dedicated to animal welfare and community assistance.
While they may not directly remove wildlife, I appreciate how ACCT Philly serves as a critical resource. They offer guidance and referrals for humane intervention when residents encounter nuisance animals.
Their Community Cats Program stood out to me as a proactive effort. Supporting Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to manage stray and feral cat populations shows a real commitment to sustainable solutions.
I also found the “Love Local Rescue Program” inspiring. Knowing that ACCT Philly collaborates with rescue groups to give animals in need of special care a second chance added a hopeful dimension to their work.
On the enforcement side, their response to animal cruelty reports and emergency situations like Code Blue and Code Red truly shows they’re invested in protecting vulnerable animals across Philadelphia.
However, some concerns have been raised about overcrowding in shelters. This has raised questions about the quality of care and the resources available to the animals.
Pleasant staff and volunteers
“ACCT is Philadelphia’s only open intake shelter. The staff & volunteers are always pleasant to talk to. I’ve never had a problem with the care that’s given to the animals. Adopt the next love of your life at ACCT!”
– Mary B, Google Review
The only animal shelters that can take in strays
“To be one of the only animal shelters that can take in strays ! They are doing the best that they can with the cards they are dealt! The Staff all have a huge heart and are the biggest animals lovers and only want to help the most or best that they can!! Some of the situations they are put in due to the public are unfortunate, but they have always stayed professional and handled there business!! Thank you to the Staff for the hard work you do to help protect those who do not have a voice and never asked to be here!!”
– Danni, Google Review
4. Morris Animal Refuge
Address: 1242 Lombard St, 19147
Contact Details: +1 215-735-9570
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Thursday – Closed
- Tuesday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday and Friday – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
The Morris Animal Refuge is rich in history, as it is America’s oldest animal welfare organization, founded in 1874. They are focused on achieving positive outcomes for animals in need.
One program that particularly impressed me is their Community Cat Program. This program helps ensure the welfare of community cats while preventing overpopulation.
Morris Animal Refuge also extends a helping hand to pet owners who need to surrender their pets. They approach this sensitive process thoughtfully, supporting individuals with humane solutions and resources to ensure the animals find new opportunities for care.
Their Philly Pets Program is another standout initiative. Helping low-income families keep their beloved pets through donations and advocacy is an inspiring testament to their belief that every pet deserves a home.
Although the Morris Animal Refuge provides extensive services for domestic and stray animals, they do not directly handle wildlife removal or report animal cruelty.
Organized and efficient operation
“Where do I begin to describe what this organization is about? And how incredible this team is? Let me start at the beginning of my experience as a foster there…I rescue animals, I help our community find homeless animals good, safe, loving people to call their own. I’ve done it for decades. And then I was introduced to Morris & their team. This program pairs loving, healthy & and homeless animals with adopters. They have homed thousands of kitties and dogs and even rabbits, Guinea pigs and other small pets & their operation is organized, clean, efficient and harmonious. I myself have had a part in over 20 kitties finding new lives and new mommies and daddies to love them. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING, VOLUNTEERING & MOST IMPORTANTLY ADOPTING FROM MORRIS!”
– Jules C, Google Review
Animals are so well taken care of
“I am so grateful a rescue like this exists in Philadelphia. I have taken many community cats I found here, and they always get adopted within a week. I recently started volunteering, and the amount of work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes is incredible. The animals are so well taken care of and the staff is friendly and helpful. I would gladly recommend anyone to adopt an animal from here!”
– Ariana Lucidonio, Google Review
5. Critter Control
Address: Greater Philadelphia
Contact Details: (610) 298-0385
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Critter Control provides expert wildlife removal services for both residential and commercial properties. Their pest control solutions are designed to effectively address and manage nuisance wildlife problems.
Their work targets animals that can disrupt homes and pose health risks, such as raccoons and rodents. They use science-based, humane methods to resolve each wildlife issue effectively.
They even offer services for less common pests such as gophers and armadillos, which I found surprisingly unique. It’s easy to overlook just how diverse wildlife issues can get.
Post-removal and ectoparasite treatments are administered to eliminate any health hazards, such as fleas or mites.
After removal, the company focuses on damage remediation and sanitization. They perform clean-ups to remove feces and urine, and repair structural damages such as broken vents and siding.
However, it’s worth noting that Critter Control’s services do not include pet rescue or animal cruelty reporting, as their focus is strictly on wildlife management and exclusion.
Expertly captured a huge groundhog
“Critter Control (with Mike G, the handler) expertly captured a huge groundhog that was burrowing under my house and eating my garden for years. The bait was effective, and the animal was humanely released in the wild near the Schuykill River. I highly recommend their services.”
– Susan Tam, Google Review
Super kind and professional
“I could not be more pleased with the service provided by Critter Control. I originally spoke with David Alvarado who explained the service and assessed the area, super kind and professional. Michael Gehring was my technician. Moving the cages throughout the week to get the optimum location, he caught 3 raccoons and an opossum in 5 days. His level of professionalism, humane treatment of the animals matched with his communication helped to put me at ease. Compared to other quotes, Critter Control was more expenses however, it was worth it ! I would not hesitate to use them again.”
– Dana Brown, Google Review
