Wildlife Guidance

Found an Injured Wild Bird or Wild Animal?

Helping Wildlife Starts with the Right Care

Dr. Zonenshine with a Canada goose in hydrotherapy at the Wild Bird Fund, NYC

Finding an injured, orphaned, or distressed wild animal can be alarming. Your instinct may be to help immediately—and that’s admirable—but the best first step is ensuring the animal receives care from trained wildlife professionals.

At Wandering Wings, we are passionate about wildlife conservation and are happy to provide guidance on the safest next steps. However, because wildlife rehabilitation is regulated by state and federal law, native wild animals often require care from licensed wildlife rehabilitators and permitted wildlife facilities.

Before You Rescue

Before You Intervene

Many young wild animals are not orphaned.

Baby birds that have recently left the nest (called fledglings) often spend several days on the ground while their parents continue feeding and protecting them. Unless the bird is visibly injured or in immediate danger, it is usually best to observe from a distance before intervening.

Similarly, many young mammals are intentionally left alone for extended periods while their mothers forage nearby.

When in doubt, contact a wildlife professional before attempting a rescue.

Know the Signs

If the Animal Is Injured

If you observe any of the following, the animal should be evaluated as soon as possible:

Bleeding or obvious wounds
Broken wings or limbs
Difficulty standing or flying
Collision with a window or vehicle
Cat or dog attack
Fishing line or net entanglement
Burns or chemical exposure
Severe weakness or inability to move
Visible neurological abnormalities
Orphaned neonates with no evidence of parental care

What You Can Do

If it is safe to do so:

Gently place the animal in a well-ventilated box lined with a soft towel.
Keep the box warm, quiet, and away from children and pets.
Minimize handling, as excessive stress can be life-threatening for wildlife.
Do not offer food or water unless instructed by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian.
Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

Please Do Not

To give wildlife the best chance of recovery, avoid:

Attempting to raise wild babies yourself
Feeding bread, milk, or inappropriate foods
Giving medications intended for people or pets
Keeping native wildlife as pets
Handling animals unnecessarily
Delaying professional evaluation when serious injuries are present

Here to Help

How Wandering Wings Can Help

Although we do not provide long-term rehabilitation for native wildlife, we are happy to:

Help determine whether an animal likely needs professional intervention
Direct you to licensed wildlife rehabilitators or wildlife agencies
Answer general questions about safely transporting injured wildlife
Assist with identification when possible
Coordinate with wildlife professionals when appropriate

If you are unsure what to do, we encourage you to contact us before taking action.

Call First, Then Transport

Wildlife Help Near You

Please call before capturing or transporting wildlife. Rehabilitators are often volunteers, may specialize in particular species, and may be at capacity. Never handle bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, large mammals, raptors, or potentially rabid wildlife without instructions from an authorized professional.

Healthy newborns and young wild animals should ordinarily remain where they are found. A baby animal alone is not necessarily orphaned; its parent may be feeding nearby or waiting for people to leave. Unless there is a visible injury or immediate danger, do not remove or relocate it. Observe from a safe distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before intervening.

Find a Licensed Rehabilitator by State

Florida — FWC Rehabilitator Finder New York — DEC Rehabilitator Directory New York — DEC Wildlife Rehabilitators Connecticut — DEEP Rehabilitator Resources Massachusetts — MassWildlife Rehabilitator Directory Rhode Island — DEM Wildlife Resources Vermont — Fish & Wildlife Department New Hampshire — Fish and Game Rehabilitators Maine — IFW Injured Wildlife Directory

Wildlife Hotlines & After-Hours Help

Animal Help Now

ahnow.orgNationwide wildlife emergency locator. Uses the finder’s location, species, date, and time to identify nearby wildlife resources. This is an online locator—not a staffed emergency hotline.

Florida FWC Wildlife Alert

1-888-404-3922Contact FWC for wildlife-related guidance, protected-species incidents, serious public-safety situations, or when an appropriate permitted rehabilitator cannot be reached.

New York DEC

1-844-332-32671-844-DEC-ECOS. On weekdays, contact the appropriate DEC regional wildlife office or a licensed rehabilitator. On weekends, DEC directs callers to its Environmental Conservation Officer dispatch line or a rehabilitator.

New York City 311

311Or 212-639-9675. Municipal resource for injured or sick animals within New York City. Available assistance and hours vary.

Stay Wild

Wildlife Conservation Begins with Compassion

Every rescued wild animal represents an opportunity to protect our shared natural world.

Whether you find a songbird that has struck a window, an injured owl, an orphaned squirrel, or another native species in need, your willingness to act responsibly can make all the difference.

Together, we can help ensure wildlife receives the expert care it deserves.

Wildlife Emergency Notice: Wandering Wings does not provide 24-hour wildlife emergency services or long-term rehabilitation for native wildlife. Wildlife laws vary by species and jurisdiction. If you find an animal in immediate danger, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, your state wildlife agency, or your local animal control authority as soon as possible.

Escaped or exotic pets are our patients — birds, reptiles & small mammals

Book a visit →