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Injured Wildlife

Found an Injured Animal?

Help is available! Each wildlife rehabilitator is only going to be licensed and equipped to care for certain species so it is important to contact the right facility. Find the right facility for your species and location below. If you are unsure what species you have, or aren’t sure who to contact, call or text our hospital at 314-337-8889. Please note that wildlife rehabilitation facilities are not usually open 24/7. If you are unable to reach someone, please leave a message so they can call you back. If you are comfortable doing so, you can try to contain the injured animal to keep it safe from further injury until you are able to get a hold of a licensed rehabilitator.

Raptors

Call or text our Raptor Hospital

314-337-8889

Songbirds

Call Wild Bird Rehabilitation

314-426-6400

Waterfowl, Gamebirds, Mammals or Reptiles

Call Wildlife Rescue Center

636-394-1880

Wildlife Resources

Outside the St. Louis Area?

Find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you through Animal Help Now. Wildlife rehabilitation is a free public service, and donations are always appreciated to help cover the cost of care.

FIND A REHABILITATOR

When Does an Animal Need Help?

If you’ve found an injured or orphaned animal, call a rehabilitator right away to get it help. The sooner an animal gets care, the more likely is that their injuries can be successfully treated. It is also illegal to try and rehabilitate wildlife without a license and trying to do so usually results in poor outcomes for the animal. If you aren’t sure if an animal is injured or orphaned, a rehabilitator can help assess the situation to determine if the animal needs help or not. Some signs that a bird needs help are:

  • You can see blood on the bird.
  • There are flies buzzing around it or you can see maggots or fly eggs on the bird.
  • The bird was caught by a cat or dog.
  • One of the wings is drooping.
  • The bird is holding its eye(s) closed.
  • It is a baby with only downy feathers on it.
  • It does not react when approached.
  • It tries to fly away from you but can’t.

Rehabilitators will only be able to accept the animals they are licensed for. If you are unsure what type of bird you have and where it needs to go for help, text a photo of it to our hospital at 314-337-8889 for us to help you identify it. Our rehabilitation hospital is only permitted and equipped to take birds of prey. This includes all species of hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, vultures, kites, harriers, and osprey.

Raptor Safety

How to Safely Contain an Injured Raptor

If you’ve found an injured raptor, contact our Raptor Hospital for guidance before attempting to handle or contain the bird. If you are unable to reach us right away, leave a message so we can call you back. If you can safely do so, the steps below can help you contain the bird and keep it secure until you are able to get it to a licensed rehabilitator.

Steps to Safely Contain the Bird

  • Find a box or pet carrier large enough to contain the bird. It does not need to be much larger than the bird. If you have one, place a towel or other lining in the bottom to keep the bird from sliding around. If a box isn't immediately available, such as when you've found the bird along the road, you can temporarily wrap the bird in a jacket, blanket, or other material until you can get a box.
  • Wear protective equipment like leather work gloves to reduce your risk of injury.
  • Use a towel, blanket, jacket, or other thick fabric to help contain the bird.
  • Throw/place the fabric over the bird so that their eyes are covered. Scoop the wings into the bird and pick it up with one hand on each side like you would a football, keeping the feet pointed away from you.
  • Place the bird in your box or carrier and secure it on all sides. DO NOT leave the top open or unsecured. If the container has lots of openings in it, cover it with a towel or blanket to reduce visual stimuli.
  • Place the box in a quiet, dark, and warm (but not hot) place away from human activity and other animals.
  • DO NOT give the bird any food or water.
  • Leave the bird alone as much as possible. DO NOT talk to, pet, or handle the bird beyond what is needed to contain them.
    These activities are stressful to wildlife. Birds that become too stressed may die from it or become too unstable to receive immediate care when they arrive at the hospital.

Support Us

Rescuer's Giving Club

Become a hero to our feathered friends and experience the joy of saving lives and protecting our planet. Join the Rescuer’s Giving Club and elevate your impact on the lives of sick and injured raptors!

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