Have an Emergency?
Contact your local agency responsible for wildlife (e.g., Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Service, etc.), a veterinarian, or an animal shelter to find a Wildlife Rehabilitator near you. You may also find listings in your telephone book or from the local police, humane society, or veterinary clinic.
Wildlife International runs a list of rehabilitators that can be accessed here. Note that inclusion is up to the rehabilitator so not all wildlife centers will be listed! IF you don’t find something, don’t give up. Just try one of the above resources.
What Constitutes an Emergency?
Not every animal that is on its own, can’t fly or climb, or seems to be in the wrong place, is in need of help. You may find a fallen nest, a fawn without its mother, or a young raptor that cannot fly. There are several important things to consider in these situations. Please read the information that follows, so that you can determine whether the animal needs help, or whether it is exhibiting normal behavior
An animal requires immediate help if:
- It is bleeding profusely.
- It is unconscious or convulsing.
- It is helpless and in danger of being attacked by another animal, or has been attacked by a cat.
- It has a broken leg or wing.
- It has collapsed, or is staggering, or weak.
- It has been burned.
- It is entangled in fishing line, string, net, debris, etc. or its bill or muzzle is caught in a jar, container, plastic rings from canned beverages, etc.
- It has a fish hook in its mouth or body.
- It is stuck to a glue trap, fly paper or other sticky surface.
- It has ingested oil, antifreeze or other chemicals.
- It is covered with in oil, tar, etc.
- Its eyes are crusted shut, or it appears to be blind.
- It has been shot.
- Its nest has fallen to the ground.
- Its parent (in the case of animals that are raised by just one parent, such as hummingbirds or young mammals) or parents are known to be dead, injured or ill.
- It is trapped in a vehicle or building.
Young animals that appear to be on their own may not require intervention. Parents normally leave their youngsters while they forage. Some animals, such as deer, watch their young from a distance so as not to draw the attention of predators. They attend their young only to nurse them, until the time the youngsters are strong enough to follow.
