The City of Saskatoon is reminding residents that they share the city with countless animal species, and there are responsibilities that come with that.

A release from the City advises the public that wildlife are not pets, and you should not attempt to approach or touch them, no matter how furry and adorable they may be.

The public should also refrain from feeding the wildlife. The City says feeding them is not helping them, as it can make them lose their instinctual fear of humans and lead to more encounters and conflicts.

Securing potential food sources, such as garbage, compost, birdseed, and petfood is also an important job, as to not lure animals closer into residential areas.

If you do happen to encounter a wild animal, make loud noises, wave your arms and try to scare it away. If it’s acting aggressive, call the Saskatoon Police Service non emergency line.