FOUND AN ANIMAL?
Refer to our tip sheets to see if the animal needs to be taken into care, reunited with mom, or left alone. If care is needed, call us at 904-779-5569 and leave a message. One of our team members will get in touch ASAP. PLEASE NOTE: We’re all volunteers, so please be patient! Do not bring to our St. Augustine center without first speaking to a member of our team, as it is not staffed 24/7 and arrangements must be made. Do not feed the animal!
RACCOONS
If it is injured or not fully furred, put it in a box with a heat source such as a rice sock, and call us immediately
If it is not injured and is fully furred, try to reunite by putting it in a box with a towel or some sort of fabric. Make sure the box is big enough to contain it but small enough for mom to get in and retrieve them.
Do not feed!
SQUIRRELS
If it is injured or not fully furred, put it in a box with a heat source such as a rice sock, and call us immediately. If the squirrel has been in contact with cat saliva, it needs antibiotics ASAP.
If it is not injured and is fully furred, try to reunite with mom by putting it in a box with a towel and a heat source. Make sure the box is big enough to contain but small enough for mom to get in and retrieve the baby. If possible, place the box off the ground, by attaching it to a tree or fence – this will help keep it safe from predators.
Do not feed!
OPOSSUMS
Opossum moms do not come back for their babies, so if the baby is injured or a juvenile less than 7 inches long (not including the tail), reach out to us immediately.
Do not attempt to feed. Baby opossums must be tube fed!
RABBITS
Uninjured bunnies should be returned to their nest if you know its location.
If a bunny has been in contact with cat saliva, it must be given antibiotics ASAP.
Bunnies suffer from capture myopathy, so lessen stress by refraining from handling and placing them in a box in a dark quiet place until you are able to get it to a rehabber.
PLEASE NOTE:
Never handle wildlife without gloves. Never feed any animal that you find. Only give wildlife to a licensed wildlife permit holder.
FAWNS
Deer often leave their fawns alone for stretches of time, so if the fawn is not injured, leave it alone: most likely, mom will return.
If the fawn is injured, or located near a dead mom, or if it has wrinkled ears (looks like wilted lettuce and is an indication of dehydration), call us immediately.
Contact Us
You can reach us by calling our hotline at:
904-779-5569. Please leave a message with information about the animal you have found and your location.
Our phone team checks messages every hour from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, seven days a week. We are a 100% volunteer organization, so please be patient! Someone WILL get back to you as soon as possible.
You can also email us at information@wildlifecoalition.com.
We Need Volunteers!
If you have some free time and can help at our center, or to transport or foster animals, simply fill our our Volunteer Application
and we'll get back to you quickly!
About The Wildlife Rescue Coalition
of Northeast Florida
By The Numbers
500
Volunteer Hours per Baby Animal
3000
Animals Helped Each Year
340
Dollars Per Baby Raccoon For Food
