Wildlife emergencies
Have you found an injured animal? Here are some tips on bringing them to safety.
Business Hours
We are open everyday 9:00am-5:00pm.
Call us 305-751-9840 or text us 786-459-9155 for help.
For after hours emergencies, use our 24-hour drop off cages. Patients in drop off cages receive care at the earliest hour, before we are open to the public!
Found a wild animal? Here’s what to do.
Capture
Most small birds and animals can be picked up using a towel and a cardboard box. Throw the towel, sheet, or even an old t-shirt over the animal making sure to cover the eyes. Once the eyes are covered the animal will usually calm down making the capture easier.
Prepare the box
Poke a few holes in the box before you place the animal in it. Poke from the inside out so the sharper edges face the outside of the container. Put a soft cloth, newspapers or paper towels on the bottom of the box.
Contain the animal
Scoop up the animal using a towel or other soft cloth and gently place the animal in the box. Leave the towel in the container if there is room to help keep the animal warm. Don’t wrap the towel around the animal. Just leave it loosely covering the animal. Close the box or put the top on the box.
No food or water
Feeding the wrong food can cause more harm than good. Feeding any food or water may cause choking, aspiration pneumonia or other harm. If you have to keep the animal overnight, do not offer food or water.
Contact a licensed wildlife rehab
Get professional advice, and if needed professional care, as soon as possible. You can contact Pelican Harbor Seabird Station from 9am - 5pm every day at 305-751-9840 or text at 786-459-9155 for guidance and patient intake. We’re also available by email at info@pelicanharbor.org however email responses may be less speedy. You can find other resources and referrals here.
PHSS has 24-hour drop off cages
Our 24-hour drop off cages are available to the public every day at an time. You’ll find these metal kennels in the outdoor area near our front door. Place the contained animal in the kennel, or within one of the animal carriers inside of them, and securely close it. Please remember to fill out our intake form online or in person at the 24-hour drop off.
Keeping the animal overnight
Place the container in a warm, dark, quiet part of the home. Leave the box alone, no peeking. Again, do not provide food or water overnight.
Stress is a Killer
Wild animals and birds are not accustomed to be handled by people or around loud talking, noisy children, or your pets. Do not try to hold or pet them. This will cause a great deal of stress for the animal and it may strike out and you or it may be injured. Often they get very quiet and still. People think this means they are calming down but it really is a defense mechanism hoping that you will think it is dead and leave it alone. Stress is a major cause of death for injured wild animals. Please contain it, keep warm, leave it alone and transport it to PHSS as soon as possible.
