04/11/2026
As we get heavy into “rehab season,” remember a few things:
1) Contact a rehabber before deciding an animal is orphaned. Bunnies, squirrels, birds, 5-6 week old raccoon kits, most start coming out of their dens and nests REALLY small (young) and certainly may be vulnerable for a few days by pets and children. Give them space and observe. If a baby is injured, yes, it may need medical care.
2) Many young animals are NOT with their mothers all the time. Deer and rabbits stay AWAY from their young except short time at night to feed them. This strategy avoids predators knowing the location of their babies.
3) If you notice a squirrel or raccoon denning in a barn, shed,chimney, attic- mom has already been in that den a month or two BEFORE giving birth. Let her finish weaning her young, then when they leave the den, patch and repair entrances. For professional help, we can get you in touch with a local company able to evict and exclude animals and reunite with their young in many cases.
4) THIS IS IMPORTANT: finding a sick or injured wild animal often feels like or is an emergency. Most rehabbers are volunteers and often work FT in order to provide medical care as there are no fees by rehab for the intake of a wild animal. We may not be able to respond immediately.
(YES, we have a lot of costs to provide proper care, housing and nutrition for each animal, so donations are always greatly appreciated, both in dollars and supplies, from basics like used towels and linens, laundry soap, paper towels or items on rehab wish lists)
So…we likely need TWO things from our compassionate citizens trying to find help for a wild animal in need:
1) Know that we are not always able to respond immediately to a call like a dispatch center can do for human emergencies. We do our best to get back to you quickly. Text us photos and/ or video and provide location and description of what you observe! This makes callbacks much easier to give you assistance efficiently.
2) For most small species and birds, we need citizens to capture and transport TO rehab. For more risky animals like herons, eagles, large owls, adult fox, raccoon etc, we may coach you how to contain an animal for rescue or transport.
In the case of the majority of injured wildlife, getting them into a cardboard box or bin, cat or dog vari kennel type crate and COVER, place in dark, quiet location is going to help save their lives until they get to rehab.
*****Don’t hold and pet them and don’t try to feed them. These things can kill an already stressed and injured animal. ******
Be aware of zoonotic diseases like rabies in mammals and use gloves, towels and other non-contact tools when possible.
THANK YOU to the thousands and thousands of citizens each year who find and help our wildlife.
THANK YOU to so many of you also willing to let moms raise their babies or reunite displaced babies once discovered even in inconvenient places.
THANK YOU to the hundreds of thousands of you over the years who help educate your friends and neighbors, who understand the limitations of this largely volunteer effort to provide care to give wildlife a second chance, who give us rehabbers grace when we have to euthanize an animal to end suffering and who support rehab with your time, rescues, donations and above all, the great compassion you show in seeking help, calling and transporting.
THANK YOU THANK YOU!
