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Safety Precautions
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Birds of Prey - Hawks and owls have strong, sharp talons and will use them.
The larger ones can do serious damage.
Adult Mammals - Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and other mammals will bite. Use caution.
Wear gloves and use a towel to cover the eyes and protect your hands.
Skunks and Bats - Never touch a skunk or bat with your bare hands Use gloves. They are high risk for rabies.
Don't risk an exposure. Keep them safe by keeping yourself safe.
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Baby Birds - Small birds are very fragile. Be extremely gentle.
Children often squeeze these birds too hard and cause fatal internal injuries.
Baby Mammals - Baby raccoons, opossums, and squirrels require special formulas and feeding techniques.
Please, do not feed.
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Is the animal orphaned?
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Leave it be
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Bring it in.
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Baby Deer
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Sick or Injured Deer
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Can stand and walk
Looks healthy
Mother deer leave their fawns alone all day.
They are not abandoned, but the mother will not return until you leave.
If you brought the fawn home, please return it. The mother will search for several days.
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Too weak to stand
Covered with fleas and ticks
Standing next to a dead doe.
Do not feed. It cannot digest food until it is stabilized.
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Young Birds
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Hatchling Birds
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Fully feathered with a short tail
Hopping around
Trying to fly
Mom and dad are in the trees watching.
It will learn to fly in a few hours. Even if there are cats around, the bird is better off with its parents.
Leave it be.
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Few or no feathers
Eyes closed
Cold and weak
A cat had it.
Do not give food or water.
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Young Mammals
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Infant Mammals
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Running around
Good body weight
Free of obvious fleas and ticks.
It isn't orphaned. Mom is near by hiding.
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Eyes closed
Cold, weak, or injured
Covered with fleas and ticks
Near a dead female
A cat had it.
Do not feed. The wrong formula or formula fed the wrong way is fatal.
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Young Bunnies
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Infant Bunnies
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Eyes open
Hopping around
Looks healthy
It is a teenager out on its own.
Teenage cottontails fit in the palm of your hand and are easy to catch.
Leave them be.
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Eyes closed
Cold, weak, or injured
A cat had it.
Do not feed. The wrong formula or formula fed the wrong way is fatal.
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How to Transport an Animal
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Small Birds should be put into a small cardboard box or a paper bag.
Put a few pencil size holes for air, and several layers of soft tissue for padding and insulation in the bottom of the bag.
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Larger Birds, Raptors, and Baby Mammals
should be put into a cardboard box with a few small holes near the top.
Be sure to fasten the lid securely. Do not use wire cages.
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Larger Mammals should be put into sturdy carriers.
Drape a towel over the holes and door to calm the animal.
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Reptiles should be put into carefully sealed containers with small air holes to prevent escape.
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For a printer friendly map
click here.
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