09/11/2026
Since the hotline is closed for the season, we need to talk.
We see people offering “advice” on social media all the time by telling someone where to take an animal, what to feed it, or who will take it. Rehabber availability changes by the day and sometimes by the HOUR. If you don't KNOW, please don't guess.
Bad information can delay an animal's care, and when you're dealing with injured or orphaned wildlife, that delay can be the difference between life and death.
Here are some important things to know:
🦅 Chattahoochee Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation intakes birds of prey, reptiles, and amphibians. They do NOT take songbirds, waterfowl, fawns, and small mammals. Do not drop off random animals! Always call ahead to check intake availability for raptors.
🏥 UGA Small Animal Veterinary Hospital will intake INJURED wildlife 24 hours a day. They do NOT take uninjured orphaned wildlife babies or rabies-vector species (RVS).
🦝 Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital intakes all species of injured wildlife except fawns, INCLUDING rabies-vector species. They do not take orphaned, uninjured babies. Please call ahead so the staff knows you're coming and can make sure they are prepared to receive an RVS animal.
🦊 Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) requires you to complete an online wildlife intake form and WAIT FOR APPROVAL before taking an animal to them. Please do not show up with wildlife before you've been approved. AWARE takes small mammals, fawns, and rabies-vector species. They do NOT take birds of prey, songbirds, or waterfowl.
🐦 Songbird? Contact Wild Nest Bird Rehab through their website at www.wildnestbirdrehab.org for instructions on what to do next.
And just to be clear...
A vulture is NOT a songbird. Neither is a heron. Or a duck. 😂
ALWAYS call ahead before showing up at ANY wildlife rehab facility to make sure they have space and are prepared to intake whatever you are bringing.
When transporting wildlife, CONTAIN THE ANIMAL.
And no, we don't mean “let my 7-year-old hold the hawk in the front seat.” We mean a secure crate or well-ventilated box.
Don't casually stroll into a wildlife facility carrying a hawk. That is not a transport plan. And please do not snuggle. The animal is likely in shock, not looking for a human companion.
🚫 DO NOT OFFER FOOD OR WATER to injured or orphaned wildlife unless a LICENSED wildlife rehabilitator specifically instructs you to do so.
And please, make sure the person giving you advice is actually licensed.
Having a Facebook account does not make someone a wildlife rehabilitator.
There are people offering wildlife “rehab” advice on social media who are not permitted to rehabilitate wildlife at all. In Georgia, it is illegal to rehabilitate wildlife without the appropriate permit.
People offer unlicensed wildlife rehab on Facebook like roof repairs after a hailstorm.
We know everyone wants to help. So do we. That's why it's so important to get the RIGHT information from the RIGHT people.
When in doubt, don't guess. Call a licensed rehabilitator or a trusted wildlife resource first. Use the free app, Animal Help Now or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Georgia list to find one near you.
The goal isn't simply to get an animal through the crisis.
The goal is proper care, recovery, and a WILD RELEASE. 🦊❤️
