Did you find a baby animal?
Many people encounter baby animals that they believe have been abandoned or orphaned but in many cases, most of these animals may just need some help getting back into their nest or reunited with their parents.
Follow the steps below to determine if the baby you found needs help being renested or needs to brought into our care. We’re open every day from 9am-5pm and have 24-hour drop off cages for rescues outside of our normal business hours. Call our wildlife hotline at 305-751-9840 for more help.
Renest is best
If the baby animal is determined to not be injured or sick, the next best option is to renest. You can follow the steps in the graphic above or watch our video below to help you through the renesting process. Call our wildlife hotline at 305-751-9840 for more help!
If you FOUND a baby Animal you think has been abandoned, injured, or sick, remember the following:
Never try to feed a baby wild animal yourself. The wrong foods can make an animal sick. It is also very easy to injure or kill baby animals while trying to feed them.
It is illegal to keep most wild birds as pets. Any wild bird you encounter should be left alone or turned over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
If you find a baby bird you think is abandoned, observe it for about an hour. If there is no sign of the parents, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
You can find your local wildlife rehabilitator by contacting us, or your local humane society or animal control office.
Capture and Containment for babies
First and Foremost Be Very Gentle
Pick the baby (or babies) up using a soft towel, t-shirt, sheet, etc.
Prepare the box or container before you place the baby (or babies) in it.
Make air holes in the container, no sharp edges on the inside.
Place very soft material in the bottom of the box.
Roll a washcloth or paper towels into a round nest shape and place the babies in the nest.
Cover the box or container.
Keep as warm as possible.
Place the container or box in the warmest part of the house and you may place a heating pad under the box on low.
Do Not Give Food or Water!
Feeding babies can be tricky; different species require different diets and improper feeding can injure the baby and cause more harm than good.
Stress is a Killer
Keep the baby warm, in a quiet place, leave it alone and get it to PHSS or the closest permitted rehabber first thing in the morning.
Normal Business Hours
We are open every day 9:00am-5:00pm. Please bring them to PHSS or a permitted rehabber as soon as possible. The faster they are cared for by a permitted rehabber the better their chances for survival.
Call us at 305-751-9840 to bring a patient to us or be directed to your nearest wildlife center.
After Hours
We recommend that you keep babies at home overnight and bring in the next morning.
