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For the 2025 season we are hoping to add additional caging to our facility so that we can help even more animals. Every little bit helps!
See our GoFundMe or Caging Wishlist to help...and please share!
​So you found an animal
which needs help...
You have found yourself dealing with an unexpected wildlife situation. Click on the button below which best corresponds to what you have encountered: an injured animal, a potentially orphaned animal, or a wild rabbit's nest that has you concerned.
When interacting with wildlife please remember to always wear gloves.
​I found an INJURED animal:
​If they can be caught injured animals need to come into care, either into a rehab or to a wildlife clinic for veterinary assessment. Contain them and keep them warm, dark, quiet, and unfed then contact the appropriate facility:
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If the animal is severely injured, for example because it seems to be paralyzed, has an large open wound which might require surgery, might have broken bones, etc please contact your nearest wildlife clinic so it can get veterinary care. Here in Central Massachusetts the closest will be:
50 Willard St.
North Grafton, MA 01536
Call them at 508-839-7918 and select the option for ill or injured wildlife.
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If the injury is not as severe, please contact us or another wildlife rehabilitator near you.
​I think I found an ORPHANED animal:
​The first step is to determine whether the animal is actually orphaned or at risk. Some overt signs when baby mammals have been orphaned are when they appear underweight, dehydrated, or have what looks like grains of rice (fly eggs) on them. Sometimes their behavior changes as well- for instance, baby squirrels are notorious for following and climbing on people when orphaned so if you have encountered one displaying this behavior or any of the above signs contact a rehabilitator right away.
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For a variety of species-specific info see How To Tell If An Animal Is Orphaned from the Tufts Wildlife Clinic.
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If you would like advice about whether an animal might be orphaned or if attempting to reunite the baby with its mom is viable please contact us or another rehabilitator.
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Please remember to never handle wildlife with bare hands and, if you need to bring them into care, place them in a well-ventilated container and keep them warm, dark, quiet, and unfed. Giving the incorrect food to an animal can cause injury or even death.
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​I found a nest of baby bunnies:
Here in Massachusetts the most common wild rabbit is the Eastern Cottontail (ECT) and ECT behavior often gives the erroneous impression that a nest has been abandoned when, in fact, mom is still taking good care of her babies. Let's talk about it!
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ECTs are prey animals that any predator would be happy to eat and, boy, do they know it. Mom knows that she is very visible compared to the covered nest and that if she is frequently visiting the nest then the chances of a predator finding her defenseless babies goes way up. Because of this, mother ECTs only visit the nest to nurse the kits twice a day, at approximately dawn and dusk. As a result of this behavior baby ECTs have a much larger stomach capacity than most other mammals- they may only eat twice a day, but they get absolutely everything they need nutritionally during those feeds.
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​If you have discovered a nest of stable and uninjured baby bunnies and want to tell if they are orphaned or not you can test the nest. To do so place something light and flexible like a string, ribbon, or yarn over the nest in a tic-tac-toe grid and take a before photo for reference. Wait 12-24 hours and compare the grid to the before photo. If it appears disturbed or has moved then mom has come back to feed the babies! If it is unchanged contact a rehabilitator.
