See also:
Bay Area Wildlife Hospitals & Rehabilitation
Is the animal orphaned or waiting for its parent?
It's difficult to know when to step in and when to step back. Is the young bird on the ground injured, or simply a fledgling learning to fly and fend for itself? Is the fawn abandoned or just resting in a hidden place until its parent returns?
The information and links below will help you better assess any wildlife situation you may encounter. The most important thing to remember is to seek out professional advice as soon as possible. Remember that it is illegal to keep a native wild animal or bird unless you are licensed as a rehabilitator.
See this directory of Bay Area Wildlife Hospitals and Rehabilitators for numbers to call.
Finding a Baby Bird
An example of an animal that generally does not need rescuing is a healthy fledgling bird. Fledglings are young birds with all of their feathers who just haven't completed their flying and adulthood lessons.
William Webb, About's Guide to Birding, describes what to do if you find a baby bird or an injured bird that you think may need to be rescued.
Wildcare in San Rafael, CA (Marin County) also has an excellent wildlife rescue page on when to intervene and what to look for.
When Emergency Intervention is Necessary
- When is Intervention Absolutely Necessary?
IWRC’s Emergency care page with guidelines on “What Constitutes an Emergency?” - Wildlife Emergency Questions
From International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council - Use the pull-down menu to find answers to commonly asked questions
How to Help a Wild Animal in Need
- You Found an Ill, Injured or Orphaned Animal - Now What?
Information from Wildcare in San Rafael (Marin) - Instructions on how to Help Different Animal Species
From Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek (East Bay) - Wildlife Rescue FAQ
Questions and answers from Wildlife International
Find a Wildlife Hospital or Rehabilitator
- Bay Area Wildlife Hospitals & Rehabilitation
San Francisco/Bay Area help for injured or orphaned animals - Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator in Your Area (US - by State)
- Find a Rehabilitator by Country or Postal Code (US & International)
For Humane Solutions to Wildlife Issues in San Francisco
- ROMP - San Francisco Rescued Orphan Mammal Program
Provides a hotline to help with humane solutions to wildlife issues
(415) 350-9453 (WILD) - Wildlife Issues - FAQ
Questions and answers from Wildlife International - Dealing With Wildlife in the Garden and Yard
From About's Guide to Gardening - Maria Ianotti - The Low-Down on Tree Trimming
From Wildlife Rescue in Palo Alto. How to take wildlife and nesting into consideration when pruning trees
Author volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator at Lindsay Wildlife Hospital in Walnut Creek.
Additional Sources: International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council | Wildlife International