How to Rescue Baby Mammals
Only adults
should rescue baby mammals.
Before rescuing adult mammals, seek guidance from a wildlife
rehabilitator.
- Prepare a
container. Place a clean, soft cloth
on the bottom of a cardboard box or
cat/dog carrier with a lid. If it doesn't have air
holes, make some. For smaller animals, you can use a
paper sack with air holes punched in.
- Protect
yourself. Wear gloves, if possible. Some
animals may bite or scratch to protect themselves, even if
sick; wild animals commonly have parasites (fleas, lice, ticks) and
carry diseases.
- Cover the
animal with a light sheet or towel.
- Gently pick up
the bird and put it in the prepared container.
- Warm the
animal if it's cold out or if the animal is chilled.
Put one end of the container on a heated pad set on low.
Or fill a zip-top plastic bag, plastic soft drink container
with a screw lid, or a rubber glove with hot water; wrap
warm container with cloth, and put it next to the animal.
Make sure the container doesn't leak, or the animal will get
wet and chilled.
- Tape the box shut or roll the top of the paper bag closed.
- Note exactly
where you found the animal. This
will be very important for release.
- Keep the
animal in a warm, dark, quiet place. Don't give it food or water.
Leave it alone; don't handle or
bother it. Keep children and pets away.
- Contact a
wildlife rehabilitator, state wildlife agency, or wildlife
veterinarian as soon as
possible.
Don't keep the
animal at your home longer than necessary.
Keep the animal in a container; don't
let it loose in your house or car.
- Wash your hands after
contact with the animal.
Wash anything the animal was in contact
with - towel, jacket, blanket, pet carrier -
to prevent the spread of diseases
and/or parasites to you or your pets.
- Get the
animal to
a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
