Wildlife Rehab - Frequently Asked Questions
Determine whether an injured wild animal is in real need of rescue and rehabilitation before you attempt to capture it. Humans are always a young wild animal's LAST hope for survival, never its BEST hope. A young animal should only be removed from the wild after ALL avenues to reunite it with adult animals have been explored.
Every year thousands of young wild animals are found by people. Most of these young animals do not need to be rescued!
Am I an orphan?
An orphan is a young animal that is not able to care for itself and whose parents cannot be found or are known to be dead. It is natural for all young animals to explore the world alone once they leave the nest. If you have found a healthy young animal that is able to walk and is fully furred or feathered, it probably does not need your help. Its parents are usually nearby, even if they are not visible to you. Observe the young animal for some time (at a distance that is non-threatening to the adult animals) before calling.
Preventing Orphans
There are several ways in which we can all try and prevent disturbance to and destruction of wild animal's homes, which leads to orphaned young. With just a little consideration we can all make a difference.
- Check for nests before cutting down a tree or clearing brush. It is best to cut trees and clear brush in autumn when the main nesting season is over, but remember, in Arizona, the long, almost perpetual summers mean that some animals (such as hummingbirds) will still be nesting right through to January.
- Place caps on all chimneys, vents and window wells to prevent animals from nesting there. They will find a safer, natural alternative.
- Educate children to respect wild animals and their habitat, especially at dawn and dusk when disturbance to nests can result in long periods of absence or even abandonment by the adults.
- Preserve habitat for wildlife, and enhance it whenever the opportunity arises
Am I in danger?
Young wild animals in danger do not need to be taken from the wild, just protected from the danger.Pets and children are the most immediate dangers to a young animal in your yard. Pets may attack the animal, and children may cause injury by mishandling it. Some wild animals carry diseases. Keep pets and children away from the wild animal while you assess the situation with a wildlife rehabilitator.
Another danger is hypothermia. Nestling (infant) animals need to be brooded and kept warm by adults. If a young animal is cold to the touch, tell Forever Wild so they can advise you on what to do.
If the young animal is along a roadway, move it to a safer location, but do not endanger yourself or others to rescue it.
Am I injured or weak?
If the young animal appears thin, weak or injured, it should be rescued and delivered to a wildlife rehabilitator. If an animal has been attacked by a cat or a dog, presume that it is injured, even if no injury is obvious. Pet attacks usually cause significant internal damage.
Rescue & Transportation
If you have determined, with the assistance of a wildlife rehabilitator, that a wild animal needs to be rescued, exercise caution in capturing and transporting it.
- Wear gloves to avoid being bitten or scratched.
- Throw a blanket over the animal and carefully place it in a cardboard box.
- The animal will need to be kept warm.
- Place the box in a quiet, dark place and avoid excess handling.
- Never offer food or drink unless the wildlife rehabilitator instructs you to.
- Transport the animal to the wildlife rehabilitation facility as soon as possible.
The Law
Native wild animals are legally protected. It is illegal for anyone to possess a wild animal unless permitted by Arizona Game & Fish. A person found possessing wildlife illegally can be subject to fines, imprisonment and/or restitution.
Forever Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center has all the legally-required permits, and is an IRS-recognized 501-(c)-(5) nonprofit organization.
 Birds of Prey and songbirds
Nestling songbirds and birds of prey (eagles, hawks and owls) usually lack feathers or are covered with down. They are not yet able to perch. These young birds must be placed back into their nests, or new nests must be constructed for them. Contact Forever Wild so they can assist you with identifying the species and determining the best way to get the bird back in the nest.
 Waterfowl
Young Mallard ducks and other waterfowl are commonly separated from the rest of the brood as they follow parents for food and water. When you find a young duckling, note the location of possible ponds and streams where the rest of the brood may be. Then call Forever Wild for advice on how to reunite the young bird. Do not endanger yourself or others by attempting to chase young or adult waterfowl when they are in the road.
 Squirrels and Raccoons
Squirrels and raccoons will retrieve their young when they fall or wander from the nest. They also have alternative sites if one nest is destroyed. Give the mother raccoons and squirrels plenty of time to find and rescue their young.
 Cottontail Rabbits
Cottontails feed their young only at night. You will not find the female at her nest during the day. Rabbits leave the nest when they are just three weeks old. A small rabbit with its eyes open, ears standing up and approximately five or more inches long is self-sufficient and does not need your help.
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