Vermont Wildlife Resources: What to Do if You Find a Wild Animal

Whether it’s a baby bird in your backyard, or an injured animal on the side of the road, finding a wild animal in need of help is stressful for many of our caring friends. What can you do to help? Who can you call?

While the staff at the Windham County Humane Society are not licensed wildlife rehabilitators, we do share your love and concern for all animals and are happy to point you in the right direction. Please continue reading for some helpful tips on how best to help injured wildlife while you wait for guidance from a licensed local rehabilitator.

 
 

How to help a wild animal in need:

  • Do not handle the animal. Call a wildlife rehabilitator first.

  • If it is absolutely necessary to touch the animal (ex. to get it to a safe location, such as out of a busy road), then it is especially important to wear gloves. If rabies is suspected, and the rescuer did not wear gloves, then the animal will need to be euthanized and tested to make sure that the rescuer doesn’t get sick. Wearing gloves keeps both you, and the animal, safer.

  • Do not feed the animal. Food when an animal is sick or injured can be deadly if the animal’s body is not able to process the food.

  • Do offer water. Water can be offered in a shallow dish, appropriate to the size of the animal.

  • Do not take a wild animal into captivity. It is illegal. Only licensed rehabilitators may legally care for wildlife.

Local Wildlife Rehabilitators:

  • Ruth Hart (small mammals, not rabies vector species*)
    917-496-6890
    West Dover, VT

  • Fred Homer (birds)
    802-348-7889
    Newfane, VT

  • Patti Smith (small mammals, not rabies vector species*)
    802-490-6580
    Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

  • Rhy Wepaloki (small mammals, not rabies vector species*)
    802-380-1820
    Putney, VT

The closest rehabilitator for Rabies Vector Species:

  • Donna Perrin
    802-349-9798
    Middlebury, VT

*Rabies Vector Species in Vermont are: Bats, Foxes, Raccoons, and Skunks


Additional Resources:

Vermont Fish & Wildlife: Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
Vermont Fish & Wildlife: Wildlife Rehabilitator Locator
Humane Society of the United States: Signs that a wild animal needs your help

Alison Richard