Intentional or unintentional feeding wildlife may not seem like a big deal, but it is the primary cause for conflict between humans and wildlife. Feeding wildlife will alter their normal behavioral patterns, may make them sick, and potentially worst of all, can make them less fearful of humans, which is dangerous for all of us. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• "People” food isn’t good for animals. Human foods aren't always nutritious for wild animals. Wild animals have not evolved to eat bread, popcorn, French fries, etc. They need their natural diet in order to remain healthy. Eating human food may cause serious health problems.
• Feeding wild animals makes them lose their natural fear of people. Feeding can make wild animals become too comfortable around humans. While they may look cute and cuddly, they are still wild animals, and will engage in unpredictable and often dangerous behavior. Unintended consequences of wild animals feeling comfortable can include animals approaching people, attempting to come into physical contact with people, or entering your yard or home. These actions can contribute to intentional or unintentional harm coming the animal or people.
• The animals you feed today will likely become “pests” tomorrow when they lose their natural fear of humans and approach other people boldly to look for food. While having more wildlife around your home might sound like a good thing, it often leads to human vs. wildlife conflict and the need for corrective management (for the safety of animals and humans). Once animals learn that humans are a source of food, they can become a nuisance, or even worse, a safety risk. Predatory wildlife who feel comfortable in suburban or urban settings may also prey on small pets.
• Wild animals who depend on people for food can cause injuries or spread disease. When wild animals gather for food handouts, it can cause crowding, territorial fighting, attacks by predators, and injuries or death caused by human interactions. It can also increase the spread of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to pets and humans. If you must use a backyard bird feeder, make sure to clean it periodically to reduce the transmission of disease between birds. See more tips below for the responsible use of a bird feeder.  
• Feeding wild animals causes an unnaturally vigorous population growth. Many wild animals that are found in urban areas tend to have a population growth that is largely tied to their access to food, water and shelter. When they have an abundance of these elements, their population can expand rapidly. Unfortunately, the reverse is true as well. If the food is removed (when people stop feeding the animals, move away, or when the feeder runs out) the animals will begin to starve and the population declines quickly. This cycle can be avoided if we allow these wild animals to rely solely on what nature provides.

It can be hard to resist feeding wildlife, but please don’t do it, first and foremost for the animal’s health and safety.

In addition to intentionally feeding wildlife, there are ways to unintentionally feed wildlife, which can cause the same issues as intentional feeding.

Here are some things you can to do to reduce unintentional feeding of wildlife:

• If you maintain a bird feeder, keep the area below the feeder free of fallen seed.
• If squirrels, rats or turkeys begin feeding at or below a bird feeder, temporarily remove the feeder until they stop visiting. Repeat if they return.
• Ensure that trash, recycling and compost containers are closed and secured.
• Feed pets indoors. If you must feed them outside, immediately remove any uneaten portions.
• Keep small pets indoors at night to protect them from night-time predators.
• Clean up fallen fruit and nuts. If they are not usable, place them in your brown-lidded organics cart for composting.
• Consider planting native plants to provide a natural food source for local wild animals while conserving water in your landscape.

More information on feeding wildlife can be found on these webpages.

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
• US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service