What to do if you find a wild animal that needs help
Basics of Wildlife Rescue
When rescuing small wild animals, it’s a good idea to wear gloves. Be aware, however, that gloves provide only a small amount of protection, and that most mammals can easily bite through them. Raccoons, skunks, bats and some foxes are more likely than other mammals to carry rabies, but any wild animal may carry the disease. There are a number of other serious or fatal diseases that can be transmitted to humans, so you must take care that the animal doesn’t bite you.
If, in spite of your precautions, you are bitten by the animal, or if you come into contact with the animal’s bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.), report the incident to a medical professional. Reporting the incident will most likely require euthanasia of the animal so that he can be tested for rabies. This is another reason to exercise caution in the first place while handling the animal. The medical professional will need to know the name and contact information of any other person who has been in contact with the animal.
If you come across an injured small animal (a squirrel or a cottontail, for example), you may pick up the injured animal either while wearing gloves or by sliding a cloth, piece of cardboard or towel under the animal.
If, in spite of your precautions, you are bitten by the animal, or if you come into contact with the animal’s bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.), report the incident to a medical professional. Reporting the incident will most likely require euthanasia of the animal so that he can be tested for rabies. This is another reason to exercise caution in the first place while handling the animal. The medical professional will need to know the name and contact information of any other person who has been in contact with the animal.
If you come across an injured small animal (a squirrel or a cottontail, for example), you may pick up the injured animal either while wearing gloves or by sliding a cloth, piece of cardboard or towel under the animal.
Some people keep a small pet carrier and a couple of towels or small blankets in their car, in case they encounter injured wildlife. If you keep a pet carrier on hand for this purpose, put the animal inside the carrier on a towel or blanket and transport him to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Covering the pet carrier with a sheet or towel to make the inside dark will help the animal to be quieter and less stressed.
Very small mammals, such as baby animals and chipmunks, are usually much thinner than they appear, because of the thickness of their fur, and they may be able to slip through the openings in the door of the carrier. To prevent this, you can adapt the pet carrier ahead of time by attaching pegboard, shade cloth or another material that allows ventilation to the door. Plastic pet carriers made for rodents can also be used for any appropriately sized small mammals. Be careful not to cover the top of a plastic carrier in such a way that all the air holes are covered.
A cardboard box or another container will also work. Before placing the animal in the container, poke air holes (about the width of a pencil) in the container to provide an air supply and ventilation. Wild animals who are conscious and active can chew or claw their way through cardboard, so use common sense related to the distance you need to travel and the level of
activity of the animal. If you’re using a cardboard box, you should tape it closed after the animal is put in the box.
Very small mammals, such as baby animals and chipmunks, are usually much thinner than they appear, because of the thickness of their fur, and they may be able to slip through the openings in the door of the carrier. To prevent this, you can adapt the pet carrier ahead of time by attaching pegboard, shade cloth or another material that allows ventilation to the door. Plastic pet carriers made for rodents can also be used for any appropriately sized small mammals. Be careful not to cover the top of a plastic carrier in such a way that all the air holes are covered.
A cardboard box or another container will also work. Before placing the animal in the container, poke air holes (about the width of a pencil) in the container to provide an air supply and ventilation. Wild animals who are conscious and active can chew or claw their way through cardboard, so use common sense related to the distance you need to travel and the level of
activity of the animal. If you’re using a cardboard box, you should tape it closed after the animal is put in the box.
If the animal is very small (for example, a baby chipmunk whose eyes are not open yet), a bucket or pail can be used with a cloth or towel in the bottom. A cloth over the top will keep the inside dark, which will keep the animal calm. Do not use a bucket or pail if there is any possibility that the animal could jump out. Every situation is different, so you may need to be
inventive, and you’ll need to use common sense in transporting the injured or orphaned animal.
Here are some things you should NOT do:
- Do not give the animal any food or water, either in her mouth or in the container with her. It is very easy to drown a wild animal. Water placed in the container will simply spill, causing the animal to be cold and wet. Instead, focus on getting the animal to a rehabilitator quickly.
- Do not attempt to treat the animal for his injury in any way. Don’t ever try to rehabilitate a wild animal yourself. Leave all decisions about the animal’s treatment entirely to the wildlife rehabilitator, who has the required knowledge and training.
- Do not allow children or pets near the animal — for both their protection and for the wild animal’s protection. Another reason to keep children and pets away is that the animal will need quiet.
- Do not put the animal in direct sunlight or in direct air conditioning. An injured mammal will generally do best in a temperature that a human will find comfortable. Baby mammals and animals who are going into shock need more warmth, but there is also a danger of overheating. A moderate temperature is usually best.
What works BEST?? – Warm, Dark, Quiet
Here are some things you should NOT do:
- Do not give the animal any food or water, either in her mouth or in the container with her. It is very easy to drown a wild animal. Water placed in the container will simply spill, causing the animal to be cold and wet. Instead, focus on getting the animal to a rehabilitator quickly.
- Do not attempt to treat the animal for his injury in any way. Don’t ever try to rehabilitate a wild animal yourself. Leave all decisions about the animal’s treatment entirely to the wildlife rehabilitator, who has the required knowledge and training.
- Do not allow children or pets near the animal — for both their protection and for the wild animal’s protection. Another reason to keep children and pets away is that the animal will need quiet.
- Do not put the animal in direct sunlight or in direct air conditioning. An injured mammal will generally do best in a temperature that a human will find comfortable. Baby mammals and animals who are going into shock need more warmth, but there is also a danger of overheating. A moderate temperature is usually best.
What works BEST?? – Warm, Dark, Quiet