Are you outside of Napa County? Find assistance for a wildlife emergency or conflict at Animal Help Now

Does this animal need help?

If any of the following are true, the animal needs your help:

• The animal is presented to you by a dog or cat (or you believe it was caught by dog/cat)

• The animal was hit by a car

• The bird hit your window and you were able to pick it up

• Bleeding anywhere on its body

• An apparent broken or injured limb or wing

• Obvious head trauma, head tilts, convulsions

• A featherless or nearly featherless bird on the ground

• An animal that feels cold to the touch or is shivering

• Evidence of a dead parent nearby

• Seabird beached or stranded on land, or covered in tar or oil

• Fishing hook injury: Do not attempt to remove the hook

• Caught in fishing line, string, netting, its bill or muzzle is stuck

• Ingestion of poison, antifreeze

• Trapped in a vehicle or building

• An opossum who has been hit by a car and may have babies in her pouch

• If a raptor (owl, hawk, eagle, etc.) is on the ground for more than an hour

If an animal has any of these signs, call our Hawkline at 707-224-4295 for assistance.

I found a baby animal. What do I do?

Spotting a baby animal by itself does not necessarily mean it is an orphan or needs rescuing.  Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The
 young need to remain quiet and hidden to survive. Some animals watch their young from a distance so 
as to not draw attention to them.

Please leave animals in these situations alone:

• A fawn (baby deer) curled up quietly is normal. Mothers stay away and return briefly to feed their baby or to move them at times of the day they feel safe

• A bird who is feathered, has some tail feathers, and is hopping around on the ground but not able to 
fly might be a fledgling, or teenage bird learning to fly. Send a video to the Hawkline (call 707-224-4295 first- videos may be sent to an alternate number) and we’ll help determine whether this is normal fledgling behavior for this species, since not all fledglings spend time on the ground as part of their development

• A rabbit who is 4 inches long with open eyes and erect ears is able to fend for itself while its mother is
 away. The mother will return later, like with a fawn.

• An opossum who is eight inches or longer, NOT INCLUDING THE TAIL- is independent.

•  A squirrel who is nearly full sized, has a full and fluffy tail, and is able to run, jump, and climb is independent.

Keep in mind that despite an animal’s small size, many young are independent enough to fend for themselves. Interference from humans unnecessarily reduces the chance of an animal’s 
survival. Do not attempt to rescue a healthy animal.

Ensure a safe rescue for both of you

• Do not handle the animal without consulting us. Even a small animal can hurt you. Contact our Hawkline (707-224-4295) for assistance. If the animal is a songbird, or a baby mammal without teeth, use gloves or a towel to gently pick up the animal.

• Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place. You can use a box with holes punched in for airflow. Line the box with a towel, old clothing, or other fabric that does not have loose threads.

• Keep the animal warm. A heating pad on low works well. Make sure the animal can get to a cooler spot if desired by putting the heating pad under only half the box.

• Never give the animal food or water! Wild animals have very specific diet needs and the wrong food, or the right food at the wrong time, can be fatal!  PLEASE trust us and do not feed or give any liquids to an animal, even if it seems to be begging from you.

• Do not let pets, children or other people disturb the animal.  Wildlife see humans and pets as scary predators. Added stress from curious animals or people can easily cause death.

• Bring the animal to us right away. The sooner we have it, the sooner it gets the help it needs. If we are currently closed, keeping it warm, dark, and quiet, in a separate room from kids and pets is the best option until we are open. Please do not offer any food or water overnight.

Why bring the wild animal to us?

• It is illegal to keep a wild animal as a pet or to care for it without a license. We are state and federally licensed to keep wildlife for rehabilitation. Want to help? You can always volunteer with us!

• There are diseases that humans and pets can contract from wildlife. There are also diseases that domestic pets can transmit to wildlife.

• We are trained to recognize and take care of injuries, illnesses, parasites, and other conditions that may be present. We can administer necessary medications, manage wounds, and stabilize an animal that is in shock. Not all veterinarians have experience with wildlife.  We consult with wildlife experienced veterinarians to get animals needed care.

• We have the necessary caging, food, and equipment required for each species.

• We are trained to care for an animal while preserving its wildness.  An animal who has lost its normal fear of humans and pets will not survive in the wild.  Raising and releasing a tamed wild animal is a death sentence.