Dead Animal Removal in Grand Rapids, MI

Why Grand Rapids Has the Dead-Animal Calls It Does

Grand Rapids anchors the 1.09-million-person West Michigan metro spanning Kent and Ottawa counties. The Grand River corridor + Riverside Park + the wooded suburban edge create year-round wildlife pressure — raccoons in the older housing stock of Heritage Hill and the East Hills district, deer-vehicle collisions on the M-6, US-131, and I-96 corridors (peak Oct-Dec rut), and squirrel/opossum calls throughout East Grand Rapids, Cascade, Kentwood, and Wyoming.

Common species calls in greater Grand Rapids: Most-called species in greater Grand Rapids: raccoon (year-round, peak spring den + late summer young), deer (especially Oct-Dec rut on rural-edge subdivisions), squirrel (attic + soffit access from mature-tree neighborhoods), opossum + skunk (under deck + crawlspace).

Pickup jurisdiction in Grand Rapids: The City of Grand Rapids handles dead animal pickup in the public right-of-way (city streets, sidewalks). MDOT handles state routes and highways (US-131, M-6, I-96, I-196). Private property removal is the homeowner's responsibility — call Kent County or a licensed wildlife operator. The Michigan DNR (NREPA Part 401) governs nuisance wildlife handling; the Bodies of Dead Animals Act (MCL 287.671) governs disposal.

Neighborhoods we serve in Grand Rapids: Heritage Hill, East Grand Rapids, Cascade, Kentwood, Wyoming, Ada, Walker, Forest Hills.

All Grand Rapids field work is performed by state-permitted partner operators carrying GL insurance ≥$1M, following MDARD BODA Act (1982 PA 239) and Michigan DNR rabies-vector protocols.