What to Do if You Find a Baby Animal This Spring
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, spring marks the start of baby season for many animals. From squirrels to rabbits to baby birds, this time of year brings an influx of newborn wildlife into the world.
While it may be tempting to intervene when you see what appears to be an orphaned baby animal, understanding when and how to help is crucial. Many well-meaning rescue attempts can inadvertently do more harm than good, for a number of reasons.
By understanding when intervention is necessary and how to support expert animal welfare organizations, you can do the right thing—not just for the baby animal you’ve found, but for the well-being of animals in your entire community. Here’s how to be a real hero this season.
Gather Information Before You Intervene
Many baby animals are mistakenly taken from their parents by well-meaning humans. In many cases, these young animals are not actually abandoned and should not be removed from their natural environment. Certain species, such as deer and rabbits, leave their young hidden for hours at a time to avoid attracting predators. Similarly, baby birds learning to fly may spend time on the ground while their parents continue to feed them.
Before taking action, it’s essential to carefully assess the situation and contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center for expert guidance. Rescuing an animal that does not need help can have devastating consequences, removing it from natural parental care and reducing its chance of survival.
Avoid Overburdening Wildlife Rescue Centers During Baby Season
Spring’s baby boom presents major challenges for wildlife rehabilitation centers, flooding them with newborns who require extensive care. Many of these organizations struggle with overcrowding, limited resources, and staffing shortages.
Shelters and rescue centers can become overwhelmed by an influx of baby animals—like orphaned or injured mammals and birds—which is why it’s so important to call a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center first. They can help assess the species’ natural behavior to determine whether the baby truly needs help or is better off left alone.
How to Know if an Animal Truly Needs Help
Determining whether an animal actually needs intervention is key to ensuring its survival. If you’re considering a wild animal rescue, here are some basic guidelines for doing this:
- Leave the animal alone if it appears alert, active, and free of injuries.
- Look for a nest or den nearby (but do not disturb it). Many species return to their young periodically, even if they are not visible.
- Observe from a distance. If the baby is in the same spot for an extended time, vocalizing excessively, or clearly injured, it might require assistance.
- Fledgling birds should not be disturbed unless they are in immediate danger. If they are on the ground but being fed by parents, they do not need rescue.
What to Do if an Animal Does Need Help
If you determine that an animal is truly orphaned, injured, or in immediate danger, take the following steps:
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center before intervening. They can guide you on whether the animal needs help and how to proceed safely. Instructions may vary on whether the animal is a wild baby mammal or a wild baby bird.
- Use gloves and minimal handling to prevent stress and avoid transferring human scent.
- Place the animal in a safe, quiet container if advised to do so, keeping it warm but not overheated.
- Do not feed or give water unless specifically instructed by professionals, as improper feeding or hydration can cause harm.
- Keep pets and livestock away from the animal to prevent stress and possible transfer of diseases.
How You Can Help Baby Animals Most This Spring
The best way to help baby animals during spring is to support the organizations that care for them. Wildlife rehabilitation centers like those run by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) rely on community assistance to handle the surge in animals each spring. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Donate to a local wildlife rehabilitation center. Monetary donations help provide medical care, food, and housing for rescued animals. This spring, consider contributing to PAWS’ GiveBIG campaign. Your donations provide lifesaving care for orphaned wildlife, including supplies like milk replacers, medical attention, and warm, safe shelter.
- Volunteer your time. Many wildlife centers need help with animal care, fostering, and administrative work.
- Spread awareness. Educate others on the importance of leaving wildlife alone unless they are truly in danger.
By taking these steps, you can play a critical role in ensuring orphaned animals receive the care they need—without unnecessary human interference. This spring, let’s work together to protect and support young animals in the wild.
Save More Baby Animals This Spring With PAWS
PAWS is people helping cats, dogs, and wildlife go home and thrive — whether home is the family room or the forest. We achieve this by rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting out homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action.
Need help with a wild baby animal? PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center operates an emergency hospital and specialized recovery facilities designed to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, helping them recover and return to the wild. Our wildlife rehabilitation center has moved to 13508 State Route 9 SE in Snohomish, Washington. If you need assistance with a wild animal, use our online self-service form or call 425-412-4040.
Since 1967, PAWS has united more than 170,000 cats and dogs with loving families, cared for more than 160,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals, and made the world a better place for countless others through outreach, education, and advocacy. Please consider making a donation or volunteering with us today!