If you have a wildlife emergency, please contact us via Facebook Messenger for a prompt response.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you come across a wild animal that may need assistance, consult our FAQs to determine if rescue is necessary and how to proceed.
What if I found an animal in my dog or cat's mouth?
Any animal that has been grabbed by a dog or cat needs to be brought into a rehabber. Dogs and cats carry bacteria in their mouths that are deadly to wildlife, even if you do not see visible wounds. Place the animal in a secure container with plenty of air holes and keep in a dark, warm, quiet place until pick up or drop off with a rehabber can be arranged. Do NOT offer food or water.
There is a healthy wild animal in a dangerous situation, what do I do?
If there is a wild animal coming in too close of proximity to humans, high-traffic roads, outbuildings, construction, etc. the best thing you can do is to encourage the animal to leave on it's own volition. As humans continue to encroach on wild habitats, unwanted interaction with wild animals is inevitable. Keep animal feed and trash sealed tightly if kept outdoors, leave lights and music on overnight to create an inhospitable environment, shut doors to outbuildings such as sheds or barns, and close any entrances you observe an animal entering/exiting through.
If you have found an obviously injured animal, please note your location as precisely as possible and call a rehabber immediately. Even unwell wild animals will lash out in pain so if you cannot safely secure the injured animal to bring to us, noting the exact location for retrieval by myself or another rehab professional is of utmost importance.
I have found an injured animal, what do I do?
I think this animal is sick, what can I do to help?
If you observe a visibly ill animal or are unsure if an animal is unwell, please contact a wildlife rehabilitation professional to assess how to safely proceed. Wild animals can carry infectious diseases that can effect humans or our domestic pets such as rabies, HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), canine parvovirus, distemper, etc. or bacterial/fungal/parasitic diseases such as sarcoptic mange, salmonella, ringworm, etc. We greatly appreciate your willingness to help and would be happy to advise you on capture protocols including live trapping as well as standard precaution measures.
It can be difficult to tell if an animal is truly orphaned. Many species leave their young for long periods of time to avoid alerting predators to the location of their nest or den. You may see weaned rabbits emerging from their nests or fledglings who are learning unsupervised. Unless they are in immediate danger or visibly emaciated or dehydrated, it's best to leave them be and monitor for the mother's return. If you are concerned about the condition of a wild animal and suspect they may be orphaned or know that the mother is deceased, please contact a rehabber for further assistance.
How do I tell if an animal has been orphaned?
I found an orphan but do not want to bring it to a rehabber, can I care for them myself?
In the state of Minnesota, it is illegal to keep and raise wild animals without a rehabilitation permit. Wild animals require specialized care, and even if you have good intentions, taking care of an orphaned animal yourself can be harmful to their health, survival and ability to be released after rehabilitation. Although they may be cute and friendly, wild animals are not pets. If you come across orphaned wildlife, it is important to contact a rehabber right away. Time is of the essence in these situations.