Orphaned Wildlife Help

1. Please do not cuddle or coddle baby wild animals! A wild animal may seem calm, but this is a stress response. 

2. Place the animal in a WARM, DARK container such as a shoebox or tote. Many baby animals cannot generate their own body heat and need an external source of warmth such as a warm water bottle or heating pad. 

3. DO NOT GIVE FOOD, MILK, OR WATER! Wild animals have to go through very specific procedures before they can safely digest any food or water. They are better off hungry until a rehabber is found!

4. Contact a rehabber immediately! To reach our hotline, please TEXT (317)420-4793 with your city, type of animal, and a summary of the situation. 

Each year, hundreds of people report inconvenient bunny nests that are found on their property and request that they be removed. But did you know that they will leave on their own at just 2-3 weeks of age? That's right! Bunnies are still just babies when they leave the nest, fully independent from mom. We do not take healthy baby bunnies, as we get dozens of babies that actually need our help. Therefore, we ask that finders do their part to keep them safe. See below for more information about wild cottontail nests, and what you can do to ensure their safety and survival. 

Can I move the nest to a safer area? 

A mother rabbit memorizes the exact location of her nest. This means that a nest cannot be moved, even a few inches away, or she will not find it. 

I have a dog! What can I do to keep the nest safe?

Please walk your dog on a leash when taking them outside until the babies leave the nest. They will disperse and leave on their own within 3 weeks! There are also many other ways to protect a nest, such as placing a wheelbarrow or laundry basket on top weighed down with bricks. Make sure there is a hole large enough for the mother to get in and out. 

What if the nest is abandoned?

Rabbit nests are almost never actually abandoned. The mother rabbit picks a spot to make her nest, has her babies, and then leaves them alone for most of the day and night. She will only return once or twice within a 24 hour period to feed her babies, which usually takes less than 5 minutes! If you are worried that a nest has been truly abandoned, we ask that you get in contact with us and send us a photo of a baby in the nest. We will be able to tell if they have been fed or not! 

I found a destroyed nest! 

If your dog or cat got into a nest of bunnies, please check each baby carefully for any wounds. If a baby is wet with saliva or has a wound or scratch, even if it is not severe, they must be brought to a rehabber to prevent infection. Place uninjured babies back into the nest and rebuild it the best you can! It is a myth that animals will abandon their babies if they smell like humans. 

How can I tell if a baby bunny is okay to be on its own?
 

Baby bunnies leave the nest at only 3 weeks of age. If they are the size of a baseball, fully furred, and their ears are erect, they should be left alone! If they are found in an inconvenient or unsafe location, they may be moved to a treeline close by. 

 

Deer make very good mothers. When their babies are born, a mother deer will take her fawn to a spot of her choosing, and leave it there. The fawn's natural instinct is to curl up and remain very still until the mother comes to feed them. This is ultimately to keep the baby safe from predators, as it has no natural scent and can remain hidden for long periods of time. 

However, there are a few things to look for when deciding whether or not a fawn may need help. 

1. Is the fawn bleeding, or physically injured? 

2. Is the fawn wandering around and crying? This may indicate that it has not been fed. 

3. Are the ears erect, or curled at the ends? Ear curling often signifies dehydration in a fawn, however we normally see if it is coupled with another issue before intervening. 

4. Are there sunken "pits" behind their eyes? This is another, more severe sign of dehydration.

5. Is the fawn dirty? A fawn needs help from its mother to go to the bathroom. A fawn with dirty legs or a dirty bum is an indication that the mother has not been around to keep them clean. 

If you are unsure, please reach out and we can help you monitor the fawn!  

No. It is illegal to take wild animals from the wild and care for them unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabber. 

No access to veterinary care

An unlicensed individual who keeps an animal found in the wild as a pet cannot legally access veterinary care for their animal. If the animal is sick or injured, it cannot receive the care it needs. This also means the animal cannot receive necessary vaccinations, such as rabies. This also means the animal cannot be spayed or neutered to prevent behavioral problems.  

Hormones

Many wild animals such as raccoons and squirrels become unpredictable and even aggressive when they reach sexual maturity. This leads to an unhandleable and dangerous animal, and can result in severe injury if you are bitten or scratched. They are territorial, destructive, and become exactly what they were meant to be: wild animals. 

Can't I just surrender them to a sanctuary once they are too hard to handle?

Unfortunately it is not that simple. In the state of Indiana, wildlife rehabbers can only keep a non-releasable animal if that animal can be used as an educational ambassador or a foster parent to orphaned babies. By the time a wild animal kept as a pet becomes overwhelming enough to surrender, they are unhandleable and lack the disposition to be used as educational ambassadors or foster parents. More often than not, this results in euthanasia. Rescues like ours are also incredibly busy with animals who are injured or sick, and simply don't have the space to take surrendered pets at the rate people need us to. 

What if I raise and release the baby on my own?

While this is a wholesome and seemingly harmless idea, there is a lot more to it than raising and release. We effectively have to teach baby animals how to survive in the wild, and this is accomplished using various methods and protocols that licensed rehabbers are equipped for. We have pre-release enclosures which are an essential step to rehabbing baby animals and preparing them for life in the wild. We also have access to the proper formulations, medications, vaccinations, and tools needed to successfully raise and release wild animals. 

The bottom line

Most people mean well. Most people have the best, kindest intentions. Despite this, wild animals require extremely specific, specialized care that only licensed wildlife rehabbers are able to provide. For the well-being of the animal, please give it to a rehabber as soon as possible. 

 

What is a Fledgling?
 

In spring and early summer, many baby birds leave the nest before they are strong fliers. These young birds are called fledglings. They usually have most of their feathers, short tails, and can hop or flutter, but they may spend several days on the ground while they learn to fly. This is a normal stage of development. Their parents are typically nearby, watching and continuing to feed them.

When Does a Baby Bird Need Help?
 

Most fledglings do not need to be rescued. However, a bird may need help if:
• It has visible injuries such as bleeding, a drooping wing, or cannot stand
• It was caught by a cat or dog
• It is naked or mostly featherless (this is a nestling, not a fledgling)
• Both parents are confirmed dead or have not returned for many hours
• It is in immediate danger, such as in the road or near pets

If a fledgling is simply sitting on the ground, the best thing you can do is leave it alone or move it a short distance to nearby bushes or low branches so it is safer while the parents continue caring for it.

How to Re-Nest a Baby Bird
 

If you find a nestling (a baby bird that is naked or has very few feathers), it likely fell from its nest and should be returned if possible.

Look for the original nest in nearby trees or shrubs.

Gently place the baby back in the nest. Parents will not reject a baby because of human scent.

If the nest is destroyed, you can make a temporary one using a small container (like a berry basket or small bowl) with drainage holes.

Line it with dry grass or paper towels and secure it close to where the original nest was found.

Place the baby inside and watch from a distance to see if the parents return.