Atlanta / private-property guide
Dead animal on your property? Start with where it is.
Clear Atlanta guidance for carcasses in walls, attics, crawlspaces, yards and other private-property locations — plus a direct path to request local removal help.
Problem locator
Where does the problem seem to be?
You do not need to identify the animal first. Location and access usually determine the next useful step.
Atlanta-specific distinction
City pickup covers the curb, City right of way and City parks.
ATL311 lists collection from the curb, City right of way and City of Atlanta parks. If an animal is inside a house or in a backyard, the resident is responsible for getting it to the curb. That leaves a practical gap when the animal is inaccessible, inside a structure, or not something you can reasonably move yourself.
What matters first
Removal starts with access, not air freshener.
A strong next step separates source location, access and cleanup instead of treating every odor as the same problem.
Locate
Start with where the problem seems to be, not a guess about the species.
Assess access
Visible and reachable is different from sealed inside a wall, attic void, or crawlspace.
Remove
The next step depends on access, property location, and whether private service is needed.
Address residue
After removal, the area may need cleanup or odor-source attention depending on conditions.
Situation guides
Go directly to the problem you have.
Find out what to check before requesting help with a hidden carcass, difficult access or a public collection question.
Inside a wall
How access changes when the source is behind drywall or inside a cavity.
Read guideIn the attic
What to consider when insulation, roof access, or a hard-to-see void is involved.
Read guideIn a crawlspace
Clearance, entry, moisture and under-house access considerations.
Read guideOdor but no animal
Why locating the source comes before treating the smell.
Read guideDead deer
Public-right-of-way versus private-property routing for a larger carcass.
Read guideCity or private help?
The Atlanta-specific decision guide for curb, right-of-way, backyard and indoor cases.
Read guideAbout this guide
An independent guide for Atlanta homeowners.
Atlanta Dead Animal Guide is an independent information and service-request resource. It does not represent the City of Atlanta and does not perform wildlife-control work itself. Requests may be reviewed for possible connection with an independent local provider.
When public guidance can answer part of the question, we link to the responsible agency so you can check its collection instructions.
Need a hand with the next step?
Tell us where the animal is.
Share the location, what you can see or smell, and the best way to reach you. Your request can be reviewed for possible connection with an independent local provider.
Request removal help