South Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Saving Orphaned and Injured Wildlife

If you find an animal that appears to be injured or in distress, please keep it warm and quiet. Placing the animal in a ventilated box with a clean, soft towel or sheet can help keep it warm and quiet.

Handle the animal as little as possible and avoid handling the animal with bare hands. Keep the animal away from pets and children.

Do NOT attempt to offer food or water to the animal. Doing so could actually harm instead of help the animal. Animals cannot process food until they are fully warmed and hydrated. If the animal is warm, you may offer it water or an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. Under no circumstances should you offer an infant or juvenile animal cow's milk, human infant formula or any formula containing soy products.

Please call the Center first before bringing an animal. By talking with us first, we will be able to help you determine whether the animal actually needs help, and if so, how you can safely transport the animal. Remember, unnecessarily removing an animal from its nest--particularly a baby–can cause more harm than simply leaving it alone.