How To Rescue Baby Mammals

The following instructions are for adults only!
Children should not handle any wild animals because of possible exposure to disease and parasites.)

1. Prepare a container – Place a clean, soft cloth with no strings or loops in the bottom of a box that has air holes. (Never use the original nest material, it often contains parasites.)
   
   
2. Protect yourself – Wear gloves. Depending on the animal and its age, it may bite or scratch to defend itself. Wild animals can also carry disease and different types of parasites. (If bitten by a wild animal, the animal should be tested for rabies!)
   
   
3. Place the animal into the prepared container.
   
   
4. Warm the baby if it feels at all cold - (You may need to use your bare hand to determine this. Wash hands thoroughly afterwards.) The best way to do this is to place the nest about 12” below a 40 watt light bulb. (Make sure to check that the baby isn't getting over heated.) Another method is to place a heating pad, on low, under half of the box. If heating isn't needed, or if baby is older and active… close up the box (with air holes).
   
   
5. Note exactly where you found the animal – This is very important for possible release.
   
   
6. Keep the baby in a warm & quiet place .
   
   
7. Do not give food or water – It is very easy to get food or water into the windpipe. Also, if an animal is very dehydrated or cold, it cannot digest food properly.
   
   
8. Do not handle the animal – We are predators and it is very stressful. (Wild animals do not always show stress the same as people or pets… sometimes sitting calmly can be a sign of shock.) Especially don't allow children or pets near the baby.
   
   
9. Contact Nature's Nursery or another rehabilitation center – Don't keep the animal any longer than necessary. 419-877-0060

   Keep in mind: It is against Ohio law to keep most wild mammals if you do not have permits - even if you plan to release them.