Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

Keep the turtle in a box with a dry towel or rag. Please do not dampen the linens as it can increase the risk of hypothermia and cause secondary issues. DO NOT put the turtle in water, and NEVER attempt to repair a broken shell.

Keep the tortoise in a box with a dry towel or rag. Please do not dampen the linens as it can increase the risk of hypothermia and cause secondary issues. DO NOT put a tortoise in the water, and NEVER attempt to repair a broken shell.

Keep in a covered, ventilated box or crate. Wild birds injure themselves in birdcages, but cardboard boxes with air holes work very well. A towel on the bottom of the box for the bird to stand on is ideal but not necessary.

During holding or transport, keep in a dark, quiet place as close to room temperature as possible.

*Woodpeckers and Anhingas can only be placed on pillowcases or sheets as their beaks/tongues can become stuck in towel fibers.  

Not all baby birds are in need of rescue!! Regardless of the situation, please refrain from offering food or water to any animal as it can have fatal results. 

If the baby appears healthy, vocalizing, breathing normally, and has no evidence of trauma, please attempt to renest it (either in the original nest or create a faux nest). When creating a faux nest, please only use natural materials such as grass, small twigs, moss, and leaf litter to line the nest. Utilize zip ties or bungee cords to wedge a fruit carton or tupperware with drainage holes into the tree above where the baby was found and ensure the tree has leaf cover to shade the nest from the sun. Monitor (from afar) for a couple hours to see if mom or dad return. If they do not, please bring the box and baby inside for safety and contact CROW or your nearest wildlife rehabber.

 If you see blood, broken bones, or the bird has been attacked by another animal (cat/dog/predator), it needs to be brought to a wildlife rehabber ASAP!

For Holding/Transport: Place the babies on a towel or tissue in a well-ventilated, covered box. You can give them a “nest” if you’d like – a small bowl or container with tissues piled inside it. Babies need supplementary heat. It is ideal to use a heating pad: set it to LOW, wrap it in a towel, and place the box on top of it. If driving, you can utilize a seat warmer, but please avoid air conditioning blowing on the box.

Not all baby animals are in need of rescue!! Regardless of the situation, please refrain from offering food or water to any animal as it can have fatal results. 

If the baby appears healthy, vocalizing, breathing normally, and has no evidence of trauma, please attempt to reunite it (see below for details).

 If you see blood, broken bones, or the baby has been attacked by another animal (cat/dog/predator), it needs to be brought to a wildlife rehabber ASAP!

For Holding/Transport: Place the babies on a towel or tissue in a well-ventilated, covered box.  Babies need supplementary heat. It is ideal to use a heating pad: set it to LOW, wrap it in a towel, and place the box on top of it. If driving, you can utilize a seat warmer, but please avoid air conditioning blowing on the box.

REUNITING INSTRUCTIONS: Find an appropriately sized cardboard box for the species that can be fully closed. Ensure there are small breathing and ventilation holes. Cut a hole out of one side just large enough for mom to stick her hand or head in to grab her baby and pull it back out. Place the box in a safe area WHERE THE BABY WAS FOUND and monitor (from a distance) for a few hours to see if mom returns. IF SHE DOES NOT RETURN, please bring the box and baby inside for safety and call CROW or your nearest wildlife rehabber!

Keep in an escape-proof box (we prefer plastic crates or tupperware with drilled ventilation holes. If possible, place a towel or blanket in the box to keep them comfortable. Please DO NOT provide food or water to the animal under any circumstances.