When something wild gets into your Marietta home, the first instinct is often to
call the county. That's the right move for a stray dog or an injured pet, but for
a raccoon in the attic or a snake in the garage, it usually sends people in a
circle. Here's how the responsibilities actually split.
What Cobb County Animal Services handles
Cobb County Animal Services (770-499-4136) deals with domestic animals:
stray, lost, or aggressive dogs and cats, pet-related concerns, and animal welfare
issues. That's their job, and they do it well.
What they don't handle
What they generally don't do is remove nuisance wildlife from your home. A
squirrel in the attic, a raccoon in the chimney, bats in the roofline, rats in the
walls, a snake by the door: those fall outside domestic animal control. Homeowners
often call, get told it's not something the county handles, and end up right back
where they started.
Why wildlife is a separate specialty
Wildlife removal isn't just "animal control for wild animals." It requires state
nuisance-wildlife licensing, humane trapping and exclusion techniques, knowledge of
Georgia's regulations (including protections on species like bats), and the
building know-how to find entry points and seal them. It's a specialty trade, which
is why it sits with private, licensed companies rather than the county.
So who do you call?
- Stray or injured pet, aggressive dog → Cobb County Animal Services, 770-499-4136
- Wild animal in your attic, walls, chimney, or yard → a licensed wildlife
removal company like Marietta Wildlife Removal
If it's wild and it's in your Marietta home, that's us. Call (678) 693-3668, 24/7.