Urgent Care

What to Do when you find an injured or Orphaned Animal

1. BEFORE CAPTURE: Observation

Is this an infant or juvenile that appears to be orphaned?

It is common for people of good intent to mistakenly find a young animal they believe is orphaned, when in reality the mom is often nearby or is simply foraging for food. Fledgling birds in particular will appear vulnerable as they are learning to fly. If you haven’t taken possession of the animal, first verify the following signs to ensure the rescue isn’t an accidental kidnapping.

Signs of an orphaned/injured infant or juvenile

  • It appears emaciated, lethargic, or visibly disheveled.
  • Is covered in live insects such as ants or larvae.
  • Shivering, cold to the touch, or unresponsive.
  • Bleeding or severe wounds
  • Has been caught by a cat or dog
  • Approachable – few healthy adult wild animals are approachable. They do not think an approaching human is there to help them.

Can it be to reunited with the mother?

The best outcome is for a baby to reunite with its mom. If the animal has already been captured and shows none of the above signs, it may still be possible to return it to its mother.

If the animal is found in the presence of a cat, remove the cat from the area and inspect the animal for puncture wounds. Cat saliva is deadly in the bloodstream and must be treated within 24 hours, in which case seek help ASAP. If no punctures are seen, and appears otherwise healthy, test to see if the mother waiting nearby for the cat (and you) to leave before it will return for its child.

Return infant or juvenile to where you found it and observe from a safe distance. If there’s no sign of mom after 30 minutes, and you know the species of the young animal, you can use your phone to play audio of the infant species’ animal cries to attract mom’s attention.

2. Secure & Assess

Minimize Stress

Once you have the animal secured, it’s going to be at heightened state of panic and fear. A priority is to make every attempt at lowering its stress level. First give the animal a brief visual exam, and avoid moving it around or turning it over. Keep it in an enclosed or covered container so that there is little to no light, and ensure there is sufficient airflow. If possible, provide soft padding, such as a small blanket for it to lay on. Store the animal in a quiet place away from any loud noises, music or pets.

Keep Warm

Most infant animals do not yet have the ability to regulate their body temperature. If they’ve been out of their nest for long, they may feel cool to the touch. Keeping an infant warm is a high priority. Heating pads, heat lamps and hand warmers are effective solutions. Alternatively, a hand-towel can be heated in microwave. Do not place any animal in an oven or microwave to warm it.

Check for Injuries

Take note of any bleeding, parasites or visible injuries, and be ready to describe them over the phone to a rehabilitator.

Emaciation

You may notice the animal is lethargic or emaciated. For mammals, the skin will lose some elasticity and its ribs will be clearly visible. For birds, the sternum may feel pointed and protruding.

Feeding is generally a lower priority. If a long wait is anticipated before an emaciated animal can be taken to a rehabilitator, rehydrating via pedialyte is safe for any animal. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are not safe substitutes.

Please, DO NOT attempt to feed the animal. Animals have specific dietary needs, which are especially strict for infant and juveniles, who do not eat the same foods as their adult counterparts. Some bird species are unable to digest seeds, and some can’t eat insects. Milks and formulas are potentially lethal to animals they aren’t designed for, because they contain enzymes, proteins and pH balances the animal’s stomach cannot digest. These include condensed milk, soy or any nut milk, cow’s milk, goat milk, KMR and Esbilac.

3. Contact a Rehabilitator

If you are able to ascertain that the animal appears to be sick, injured, or orphaned based on the criteria provides in steps 1 and 2 (or if you are unsure), now is the time to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Click on Animal Help Now to lookup centers, veterinarians and licensed rehabilitators nearest to your location:

Animal Help Now (AHN)
Note that the Audubon and Humane Societies are required by law to euthanize on site any wildlife categorized as “non-native,” and that Audubon will euthanize any non-avian animals upon intake. Animal Control is also required by law to euthanize any animal removed from private property. Upon contacting your state’s Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, you can expect they will likely advise to either leave the animal to its fate, regardless of its condition, else they may otherwise decide to euthanize it.

Visit the Rehabilitators Page for more information, or the Resources Page to locate a nearby Humane or Audubon Society, Animal Control or your state DFW.