FAQ & Quick Links
1. I have a wild animal in trouble! What do I do???!!!
This is so simple!!! If it is not yet contained, call a rehabber near you for instructions. If it is already contained in a secure, breathable container: Keep it warm, especially if it’s a baby. Keep it in a dark, quiet place. Keep the animal safely away from children, adults, and pets. Limit contact and disturbance to reduce stress and protect both the animal and those around it. Handle it as little as possible. Unnecessary handling can cause additional stress or injury. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!! Do not offer food or water. Feeding or providing water without proper guidance can do more harm than good. Call a rehabber near you for next steps.
2. Can I rebuild a rabbit’s nest if it has been disturbed?
Yes! If a rabbit’s nest has been disturbed, you can carefully restore it using the original nesting materials whenever possible. Gently return the materials to the nest and cover it with the original grasses, fur, or other natural materials to help conceal it. Keep children, adults, and pets away from the area, and avoid disturbing the nest any more than necessary. Mother rabbits typically visit their babies only a few times a day, so not seeing her nearby does not mean the babies have been abandoned. Not sure what to do next? Please refer to our "Baby Bunny" infographic on this page for more guidance before intervening. In most cases, the best thing you can do is leave the babies in their nest and give mom the space she needs to care for them.
3. If a baby squirrel approaches me, should I intervene?
Yes! While we often encourage people to give wildlife space and let nature take its course, a baby squirrel that actively approaches people is in trouble and needs help. Not sure what to do next? Please refer to our "Baby Squirrel" infographic on this page for more guidance before intervening. Keep an eye on the baby and, if it approaches you or tries to climb onto you, gently contain it in a secure, breathable box lined with a soft cloth. Keep it warm, dark, and quiet, and away from children and pets. Do not offer food or water. Please contact Lucky Rehabilitation Center (LRC) as soon as possible for guidance. The sooner a baby squirrel in need receives help, the better its chances of being safely reunited with its mother or receiving appropriate care.
4. I found a baby opossum less than 10 inches long, from nose to the tip of its tail. Should I intervene?
Yes! This is a situation where human intervention is needed. A baby opossum measuring less than 10 inches from nose to tail is too small to be on its own. Mom will not return for them and they need help. Not sure what to do next? Please refer to our "Baby Opossum" infographic on this page for more guidance before intervening. If you find one this size without its mother, carefully place it in a secure, breathable container lined with a soft cloth. Keep it warm, dark, and quiet, and away from children and pets. Handle it as little as possible, and do not offer food or water. Please contact Lucky Rehabilitation Center (LRC) as soon as possible for guidance. Your quick action can make a real difference in giving this little one the chance to receive the care it needs.
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5. I see a raccoon or another nocturnal animal out during the day. Does it have rabies?
Not necessarily! Seeing a normally nocturnal animal during daylight hours does not automatically mean it is sick or infected with rabies. There are many reasons an animal might be out during the day. It may be searching for extra food to support a litter of hungry babies, its den may have been disturbed, or it could be dealing with an illness or other environmental factors. And sometimes, a young animal may simply be having trouble keeping a normal schedule! What about opossums and rodents? Opossums and rodents, including mice, rats, groundhogs, porcupines, and beavers, are considered very unlikely to either carry or contract rabies. While no mammal should be assumed to be entirely risk-free, these animals are rarely associated with rabies transmission. What should you do? Observe the animal from a safe distance and never approach, touch, or attempt to handle it. If it appears disoriented, unusually aggressive, weak, or otherwise seriously unwell, contact LRC or other local rehabber. Remember, rabies is only one of many possible explanations for unusual behavior. Daylight activity alone is not a reason to assume an animal has rabies, but it is always important to give wildlife space and let trained professionals assess animals that may need help.
6. A bird hit my window. What should I do?
Window strikes can leave birds stunned, even when they don’t have obvious injuries. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help! Carefully contain the bird. Gently place it in a small, secure, well-ventilated cardboard box or paper bag. Avoid handling it more than necessary. Give it time to recover. Keep the container in a dark, quiet, safe location away from children, pets, and other disturbances for about an hour or two. Do not offer food or water. Check for recovery. Take the container outside and open it in a safe area, away from windows, roads, and other hazards. Allow the bird to leave on its own. If it doesn’t fly away, get help. If the bird cannot fly, appears injured, or hasn’t recovered, contact LRC or another rehabber near you for guidance. Important: A bird may appear stunned but still have serious injuries. If you notice bleeding, a drooping wing, difficulty standing, or other obvious signs of injury, contact a rehabilitator right away rather than waiting. A little quiet time can help a stunned bird, but professional care may be needed to give it the best chance of recovery.
7. There’s a fawn in my yard. What should I do?
In most cases, the best thing you can do is leave it alone and enjoy the view! Mother deer intentionally leave their fawns alone for long periods to avoid attracting predators. They typically return only once or twice a day to feed and care for them, so it’s perfectly normal not to see mom and baby together. When should you be concerned? Keep an eye out for signs that the fawn may need help, including: Visible injuries or signs of illness, such as diarrhea. Persistent crying or bleating for more than six hours. Flies gathering around the fawn, which may indicate a wound or other problem. If you notice any of these signs, contact LRC or other local rehabber for guidance before intervening. What should you do in the meantime? Watch from a distance, keep children and pets away, and resist the urge to approach or touch the fawn. Your presence can discourage mom from returning. Remember, a fawn lying quietly by itself is usually exactly where it’s supposed to be. If there are no signs of injury or distress, give it space, let mom do her job, and enjoy the privilege of seeing one of nature’s sweetest sights!
