Wildlife Rehabilitation
Our shelter manager Kaleb is licensed to rehabilitate small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. If you think you have found orphaned or injured wildlife, feel free to give us a call and we can evaluate if the animal is actually in need of rescue.
Please do not attempt to feed the animal or force it to drink water, as wild critters are easily killed by people with the best intentions. Do not attempt to raise an orphaned wild animal. We ask that you keep it safely contained, warm, and quiet, and contact a licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible. It is particularly helpful if you can send photos of the animal in question. *Please note that we do not rehabilitate birds of any kind. Refer to the NC Wildlife website to find a species appropriate rehabber.
We specialize in groundhogs! Other species of interest include squirrels, opossums, and small rodents like voles, shrews, rats, etc.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a time consuming volunteer job and often the supplies needed for various species can be very expensive. While we cannot take on every case we are consulted about, we will do our best to refer you to someone else who may be able to help.
While not required, if we are able to accept wildlife for rehabilitation, we would appreciate a donation as once again, special formulas, habitat requirements, and specialized veterinary care can become quite costly.
Please note: NC wildlife laws prohibit rehabilitation of rabies vector species in WNC counties. This includes: raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, etc. Bats are allowed with special permits (we will have one in August 2021).
Please do not attempt to feed the animal or force it to drink water, as wild critters are easily killed by people with the best intentions. Do not attempt to raise an orphaned wild animal. We ask that you keep it safely contained, warm, and quiet, and contact a licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible. It is particularly helpful if you can send photos of the animal in question. *Please note that we do not rehabilitate birds of any kind. Refer to the NC Wildlife website to find a species appropriate rehabber.
We specialize in groundhogs! Other species of interest include squirrels, opossums, and small rodents like voles, shrews, rats, etc.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a time consuming volunteer job and often the supplies needed for various species can be very expensive. While we cannot take on every case we are consulted about, we will do our best to refer you to someone else who may be able to help.
While not required, if we are able to accept wildlife for rehabilitation, we would appreciate a donation as once again, special formulas, habitat requirements, and specialized veterinary care can become quite costly.
Please note: NC wildlife laws prohibit rehabilitation of rabies vector species in WNC counties. This includes: raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, etc. Bats are allowed with special permits (we will have one in August 2021).
The Do's and Don'ts of Contacting a Wildlife Rehabilitator: Etiquette 101
- DO: Offer a donation if you're able to do so - even a few dollars is helpful as special formulas, habitat requirements, and specialized veterinary care can become very expensive.
- DO: Consider keeping your cats indoors. Cats are natural hunters and will often bring injured wild animals home as gifts. Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives, and do not negatively impact wildlife populations. Most of the animals we receive have either been in a cat's mouth or been hit by a car.
- DO: Follow common sense hygiene practices and thoroughly wash your hands after handling any animal.
- DO: Educate yourself on when wildlife needs human intervention. (Any animal found with flies around it or nits/maggots on it needs immediate help; most uninjured bunnies found in their nest do not need help - their mother only comes to feed twice a day to keep predators from finding the nest)
- DON'T: Expect immediate service, especially at night. Keep the animal safely contained in a warm, quiet place.
- DON'T: Expect the rehabber to stop caring for the animals in their care to go pick up another - be willing to bring the animal to the rehabber or at least meet somewhere.
- DON'T: Attempt to give the animal any food, water, or milk of any kind! Licensed rehabbers have been trained in the specific and very complex dietary needs of each species, and starting them off on the wrong diet can be fatal. (**No creature other than a kitten should be given kitten milk!!**)
- DON'T: Handle the animal unless absolutely necessary. The stress of being handled can kill wildlife (especially bunnies). Keep pets and children away from the animal and contact a rehabber.
Courtney the meadow vole
#yesevenvoles
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Maya and Rosa
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Maya after release
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Harriet during soft release
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