Thank you for helping me!
Your safety comes first!
- If you are able and willing to pick the animal up, do so with care (using a towel and/or heavy gloves), handling it as little as possible and keeping your hands and face away from its teeth, claws, beak and talons.
- Place the animal in a well-ventilated secure covered cardboard box, large enough for it to rest comfortably, with newspaper or an old towel on the bottom.
- Put the box in a quiet area, at a comfortable temperature, away from people and pets.
- DO NOT feed the animal or give it water.
- Call a rehabilitation facility and follow their instructions – a photo of the animal is helpful.
Rescuing Rabies Vector Species
Use extreme caution and call for advice before approaching and handling any rabies vector species. This includes foxes, skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, and bats. Improper handling puts you at risk and may necessitate euthanizing the animal to test for rabies.
Northern Virginia
Wildlife Veterinary Care - 540-664-9494 - http://www.WildlifeVeterinaryCare.org
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center - 540-837-9000 - https://www.BlueridgeWildlifeCtr.org
Wildlife Center of Virginia - 540-942-9453 - https://WildlifeCenter.org/
Wildlife Rescue League - 703-440-0800 - https://www.WildlifeRescueLeague.org
A.E.R.O - 703-493-0554 - https://AEROAnimalRescue.org/
For help with wildlife throughout Virginia, call the Department of Wildlife Resources at 855-571-9003 or go to their website https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife to look up a rehabilitator close to home
Maryland
Second Chance Wildlife Center 301-926-WILD (9453) - https://www.scwc.org/
Phoenix Wildlife Center - 410-628-9736 - https://www.PhoenixWildlife.org/
Owl Moon Raptor Center 301-353-8947 - https://OwlMoon.org [hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, ospreys, vultures]
For help with wildlife throughout Maryland, go to https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/sickorinjured.aspx or call the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at 877-463-6497
Washington DC
City Wildlife 202-882-1000 - https://CityWildlife.org
Links to Rehabilitators in Virginia, Maryland, and DC
Found an sick, injured or orphaned animal? The links below will help you connect with a licensed rehabilitator or other wildlife resources near you. It is important to call quickly. Waiting even a short time greatly decreases a sick or injured animal’s chance of survival. Never give the animal anything to eat or drink and please follow the expert’s advice closely. After providing the necessary care for the animal, most rehabilitators will release it near where it was found. So, if you rescue a animal, you might get to enjoy its release back to the wild!
Most rehabilitators are volunteers. They are often very busy caring for their patients and unable to answer the phone. So, be prepared to leave a message and wait for a callback. For the best chance of getting help quickly, we recommend calling three. But, once you reach one, let the others know you have found help for the animal.