Found an Injured or Baby Animal?
Get help fast -- choose the situation below
🟥 Injured Animal
Animals that are injured or in distress require prompt, careful action
What To Do
- Keep a safe distance
- Prevent further harm (keep pets and people away)
- If safe, place the animal in a ventilated container
- Keep it in a quiet, dark place
- Do not feed or give water
- Do not attempt to treat injuries
- Do not keep the animal
🟨 Baby Animal Alone
Many young animals are left alone for long periods while their parents forage nearby. What often looks like abandonment is often normal behaviour.
Before You Intervene
Ask yourself:
Ask yourself:
- Is the animal injured?
- Is it in immediate danger?
- Has it been alone for an unusually long time?
- Fawns lie quietly while their mothers stay away to avoid attracting predators
- Young birds often spend time on the ground while learning to fly
- Small mammals may be temporarily hidden or left while a parent searches for food
- The animal is injured/crying out
- It is weak, cold, or unresponsive
- A parent is confirmed dead
🟩 Who To Call First
Your first call should always be a licensed wildlife rehabilitator - Here is a link to all wildlife rehabilitators in Ontario, by type of animal and location:
ALL SPECIES
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Bears And Large Carnivores
Turtles
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, Peterborough
* OR *
Saving Turtles at Risk Today (S.T.A.R.T.), Oro-Medonte
🐢 If A Turtle is Trying To Cross A Road
Reptiles & Amphibians
Scales Nature Park
Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary