What to do if you find an injured, orphaned or ill animal
Finding an injured, ill or orphaned animal probably wasn’t on your to-do list today, but here we are! If you find a wild animal that needs help, there are several steps you should take.
1) Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (like Heights Wildlife Center) for advice. Sometimes animals may seem like they need help, but there’s actually no cause to intervene. A licensed rehabber can guide you through what to do. Call/text us at 216-232-3270 or check out the Division of Wildlife website for a full list of Ohio rehabilitators.
2) If you can safely capture the animal, place it in a closed, escape-proof box with air holes. Line the box with a towel so that the animal is comfortable and has something to snuggle in (if applicable).
3) For young animals: Place the box half on a heating pad set to low. This will help prevent hypothermia, which can kill a baby animal quicker than anything else. If you don’t have a heating pad, fill a water bottle with hot water, put it in a sock, and put that in the box with the baby. Or, fill a sock with rice, tie it off, and microwave for 30 seconds. Please ensure there is space in the box for the baby to move away from the heat if they get too warm
4) Do NOT offer food or water. Why shouldn’t you offer food or water? Offering these can harm—or even kill—the animal or interfere with medical diagnostics. Imagine if a person was hit by a car. You wouldn’t offer them food; you’d get them to the hospital!
5) Handle the animal as little as possible. While it can be tempting to snuggle a baby animal or hold it for photos, this can cause extreme stress, which can be fatal. Once the animal is in the box, leave it alone unless a rehabber tells you differently.
6) Keep the animal in a quiet, dark location away from people and pets until it can be transported to a wildlife rehabilitator.
7) Feel good about yourself! You did a good deed today, helping an animal in need. Thanks for giving our wildlife a second chance at life!
