How to assist the animal:

1. Find a box. If possible, the box should be ONLY big enough for the animal to stand and turn around, we don’t want it thrashing around and hurting itself.
2. Prepare the box. Place paper towels or a soft cloth (no towels, t-shirts are great) on the bottom of the box. Ensure it has holes for airflow in the lid or sides.
3. Place the animal securely in the box – don’t peek! Keep it secure and closed as often as possible to reduce stress and increase survival.
4. Keep the box in a warm, quiet, dark place, away from family pets and children until you can bring it to our wildlife hospital. This wild animal will be in shock, scared, or in pain and we want it to be as comfortable as possible.
5. If you are not able to bring the animal in immediately and the animal is injured, cold, or hairless, put a heating pad on LOW under half of the box.
6. Get help as soon as possible. If you cannot get an animal help in 2 hours, call a rehabilitator – DO NOT FEED OR WATER! Note: many baby mammals are lactose intolerant and may develop fatal diarrhea.

Things to know about mammals:

To prevent unnecessary ‘rescues’ (kidnappings) and to keep both wildlife and the community safe, here are some helpful tips and information on what to do if you see wildlife you think needs your help!

Raccoons, Skunks, and Foxes

These babies often play in the woods under their mothers care. Before disturbing them, observe from a distance to see if the mother is watching over them. It’s best to leave them alone unless there is an obvious problem. If the mother has been killed, the babies may wander out of the den because they are hungry. If they are crying, weak, or look sickly, they need intervention. Don’t feed them or pick them up with bare hands! If you get bit, it is required by law that the animal be euthanized in order to test it for rabies!!! Please proceed with rescue safely.
If you have concerns about an adult animal, know they can be very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or animal control for assistance.

Squirrels

If an immature juvenile squirrel approaches or follows you, its mother has most likely been killed, and it’s searching for her. These squirrels are generally starving, malnourished, and need attention. If a baby (eyes closed) is found on the ground, it may have fallen from a nest (especially if there has been a recent storm). Check the baby for injuries. If injured, take it to your local wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. If there are NO apparent injuries, place the baby in a small plastic bowl with several holes punched in the bottom. Line the bowl with leaves or grass and place it about 5 feet off the ground in the lower branches of the tree closest to where the squirrel was found. Don’t feed the baby. Monitor the bowl during the daylight hours. If the mother doesn’t retrieve the baby in a few hours, take the baby to your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center.

Opossums

These animals are on their own when they are about 8-10 inches long (not including the tail.) If one is found smaller than that, it needs attention. The mother opossum carries her babies in or on her body. If startled or attacked, one or more babies may be left behind when the mother flees. The mother opossum will not return for it. Check for others, as an average opossum litter is 13! Keep the babies warm with a heating pad set on LOW until you can get them into a rehabilitation facility. Orphans are often found looking for food near a dead mother, especially along roadsides. If you see a dead opossum by the side of a road, check it for babies. Baby opossums can survive on a dead mother’s body for about 48 hours. You can detach the babies or you can just put the body in a box and bring it and the babies to a wildlife rehabilitator.

Rabbits

A young rabbit is on its own if the fur is fluffy, the ears are standing, and it is the size of a softball. If not injured, put it back in its nest. If it was brought in by a dog or a cat, it needs attention from a licensed rehabber. If the rabbits’ nest is disturbed, replace the fur inside the nest and cover the nest well with dry grass. The mother should return to care for her young. The mother will not reject the babies if you handle them. If at all possible, it is best to let the mother rabbit raise her babies. Rabbits are hard to raise! Additionally, if you can get near an adult rabbit, something is wrong with it. Carefully and QUIETLY place it in a box and transport to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

Bats

Bat pups are usually found in May through early August. Many times bat pups will fall out of trees or housing during a storm. Babies that are furred look very much like the adults except they are smaller, and do not fly well. These babies need assistance. Don’t pick these animals up with your bare hands due to rabies concern. Adult bats can’t take off from the ground but must be hung from a tree or building. A grounded bat can often be made to crawl onto a towel which can be draped from a fence or tree limb so the animal can fly off.

Bobcats and Bears

These animals can be very dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. Call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for assistance at 1-888-404-3922. Even babies can be dangerous! If baby bobcats are newborn or they don’t have their eyes open, they can be taken directly to a rehabilitator when certain the mother is not returning. Otherwise, it is best to call FWC. If baby bears are found, call FWC immediately. They are much better equipped to handle these animals and ensure they are taken to a proper facility.

Deer

Fawns are often found lying quietly in a field without its mother. This is NORMAL. If you find one and it is not crying, leave it there and check back in 12-24 hours. If one follows you, take it back to where it first saw you and leave as quickly as you can. Check the fawn again in 12-24 hours. If it is injured or crying, then it needs special attention. If small enough, transport to your nearest wildlife facility. If its too large or its an injured adult, call FWC.