| Since its founding in 1984 the Ohio Wildlife Center has: • Treated over 50,000 injured or orphaned wildlife, • Provided educational experiences to 950,000 children and adults, • Responded to over 550,000 wildlife hotline calls. This has all been made possible by the donation of 500,000 hours of dedicated volunteer work. |
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Wild Infants - Do I Need Help? Every year thousands of young wild animals are found by people. Most of these animals do not need to be rescued!! Your wildlife rehabilitation facility can help you decide whether or not to rescue a young wild animal. The following information will help you assess a situation before you call. Am I an Orphan? An "orphan" is a young animal that is not able to care for itself and whose parents cannot be found or are known to be dead. It is natural for all young animals to explore the world alone once they leave the nest. If you have found a healthy young animal that is able to walk and is fully furred or feathered, it probably does not need your help. Its parents are usually nearby, even if they are not visible to you. Observe the young animal from a distance for some time before calling the wildlife rehabilitation facility. Am I in Danger? Young wild animals in danger do not need to be taken from the wild, just protected from the danger. Pets and children are the most immediate dangers to a young animal in your yard. Pets may attack the young animal and children may cause injury by mishandling it. Some wild animals carry diseases. Keep your pets and children away from the wild animal while you assess the situation with a wildlife rehabilitator. Another danger is hypothermia. Nestling (infant) animals need to be brooded and kept warm by adults. If a young animal is cold to the touch, tell the wildlife facility so that they can advise you about what to do. If the young animal is along a roadway, move it to a safer location, but do not endanger yourself or others to rescue it. Am I Injured or Weak? If the young animal appears thin, weak or injured, it should be rescued and delivered to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. If an animal has been attacked by a cat or dog, presume it is injured even if no injury is obvious. Pet attacks usually cause significant internal damage. 
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