WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND
INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE

Many State and Federal laws prohibit the keeping of wildlife unless you are licensed to do so. Wildlife Rehabilitators are trained to care for many types of wildlife, know the natural history of wildlife, work with veterinarians and have received the proper permits. They can provide the most appropriate foods, socialization and medical care to help return the animal back to the wild. Many internet tips on what to feed wildlife are incorrect and can lead to the animal's death.

Keep in mind that not all wildlife needs our help. Baby birds with feathers spend some time on the ground as they learn to fly and their parents are usually nearby. Fawns are left alone for several hours while their mothers go off to feed. Here is a website that has some simple tips to see if an animal needs help:

http://www.projectwildlife.org/facts_babywildlife_leavealone.htm

What do I do if I find an injured animal?
Wildlife becomes highly stressed from human contact and capture. To minimize stress:
1) Always keep yourself safe first.
2) If you can safely capture the animal, put it in a warm, quiet, undisturbed place.
3) Avoid handling it as much as possible.
4) Do not give it food or water.
5) If you are in Whatcom or Skagit County, call Northwest Wildlife at 877.953.7377 Toll Free or 360.966.8845 Local.

Other Wildlife Centers in Western Washington:

Wolf Hollow Wildlife Center
located on San Juan Island. Phone: 360-378-5000
Website: www.wolfhollowwildlife.org

PAWS Wildlife Center
located in the Seattle Area. Phone: 425-787-2500 ext 817.
Website: www.paws.org/wildlife/injured

Sarvey Wildlife Center
located in the Seattle Area. Phone: 360-435-4817.
Website: www.sarveywildlife.org

Bainbridge Island Wildlife Shelter
located in Kitsap Peninsula and Southern Puget Sound Region.
Phone: 206-855-9057.
Website: www.islandwildlife.org

Wildlife Rescue of the Gorge
located 70 miles east of Vancouver, WA, near the Oregon border.
Phone: 509-538-2308.