Once you determine that a wild mammal needs rescuing, please take the following steps until you can reach one of our wildlife rehabilitators.

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Do not try to handle any adult wildlife yourself. If it is safe to do so, try to corral an adult mammal into a box or pet carrier. Please always wear protective gloves.  You can use a towel to scoop up a baby animal. If it is not safe to catch the animal, try to block it off to prevent its escape.

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• Place the animal in a covered box or pet carrier with ventilation. You can use an old t-shirt or other ravel-free material as bedding. Do not use towels and make sure there are no holes or loose threads. Cover the carrier with a towel or sheet to keep it dark.

• Leave the carrier in a warm, dark and quiet place indoors, away from pets and people. Please do not cause unnecessary stress by handling, talking to or peeking at the animal.

• All baby animals need to be kept warm. Put the box half-on and half-off a heating pad set to low, so that the animal can move to the non-heated side if it is too warm. Never place an animal directly on a heating pad. You can also fill a soda bottle with hot water, wrap it in a towel and brace it inside the box so that it does not roll on the animal. Replace the hot water frequently as it cools down.

• NEVER give the animal any food, milk, formula or water. Feeding the wrong thing, at the wrong time or in the wrong way can harm the animal.

• To reduce stress during transportation, please turn the radio off and leave your children and pets at home.