Helping Baby Animals / A.R.K.

Helping Baby Animals

Some baby animals become injured or orphaned and need to be brought to us immediately. Some babies, however, are brought to us unnecessarily. Here are some tips to know whether that baby really needs your help.

Wildlife Tip: Parents will not abandon their young if they have been touched by humans. This is a myth many people still believe. If you find a baby and can return it to its nest, do so.
The mother will accept it back.

General Rules to Follow

First and foremost, ask yourself: what makes me think this baby is an orphan?
Unlike human babies, wild babies are not under the constant eye of their parents, and spend large amounts of time alone. This is especially true of mammals, and is for their protection.

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#1:	Stand back and look around for parents in the area. Many times the mother will be nearby but she is waiting for you to leave before she will return to her baby.
#2:	Look for signs of abandonment in the baby. If it is quiet and curled up in a nest by itself; leave it alone. Wild babies need to be raised by their parents if at all possible. Humans do not raise them as well, and the stress of human contact and captivity can cause death.
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Signs a baby has been abandoned are:
Mammals:	Babies approaching you, sometimes crying for food.
Birds:	Naked or partially feathered, fallen from the nest, unable to fly.

In most cases, wild animals babies are fine and should be left alone.
If you are unsure, please call The Association to Rescue Kritters for more information.

When it is clear a wild baby needs help, it is important to handle the situation correctly.
Some general rules that apply across the board are:

Do not give food or water to a baby animal. You can do more harm than good.
Keep the animal warm and quiet. Handle it as little as possible.
Transport the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center immediately.

The following list provides links to more specific information needed to effectively help baby birds and mammals.
Click the animal on which you would like more information.

Baby Birds

Bats

Chipmunks

Fawns (young deer)

Opossums

Rabbits

Raccoons

Skunks

Squirrels

Woodchucks

	Association to Rescue Kritters
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