Help Guide

Not sure what kind of help you need? This guide will help you decide.

Wildlife Emergency vs. Wildlife Conflict

Wildlife Emergency

An animal that is injured, sick, orphaned, or in immediate danger and needs professional medical care.

Choose this if:

The animal is visibly injured or bleeding
You found a baby animal alone and in distress
The animal appears sick, lethargic, or disoriented
An animal is trapped and can't free itself
A bird hit a window
A pet attacked a wild animal

→ You need a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wildlife Conflict

Wildlife causing problems at your home or property that you need help resolving humanely.

Choose this if:

Animals are living in your attic, walls, or chimney
Wildlife is causing property damage
An animal is under your deck or porch
You have repeated wildlife problems
A snake is in your basement
Woodpeckers are damaging your siding

→ You need a Wildlife Control Operator

What to Do While Waiting for Help

DO:

  • Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place
  • Minimize handling — stress can kill wildlife
  • Keep pets and children away
  • Note the exact location where you found the animal
  • Take photos from a safe distance if possible

DON'T:

  • Do NOT offer food or water (this can kill the animal)
  • Do NOT attempt to treat injuries yourself
  • Do NOT handle bats, raccoons, foxes, or skunks with bare hands (rabies risk)
  • Do NOT assume a baby animal is orphaned — mothers often leave for hours
  • Do NOT try to raise wildlife yourself (it's illegal without a license)

When to Call 911

Call 911 or your local animal control if:

  • A large animal (deer, bear, moose) is injured on or near a road
  • An animal is posing an immediate threat to human safety
  • You suspect an animal has rabies (aggressive, disoriented, foaming)
  • An animal is trapped in a dangerous location (power lines, highway)

Understanding Provider Types

Wildlife Rehabilitators

Licensed professionals who provide medical care to injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Most are non-profit and rely on donations. They do not charge for their services.

Wildlife Control Operators

Licensed professionals who resolve human-wildlife conflicts using humane methods like eviction and exclusion. They are businesses and will charge fees for their services. We list only operators who commit to humane practices.

Ready to Get Help?

Use our step-by-step wizard to find the right provider for your situation.