Transporting Wildlife

PREPARE YOURSELF

• Wear thick, protective gloves for handling bats, hawks, owls, foxes, raccoons, skunks or squirrels; wear protective eyewear for herons.
• Bring a towel to drape over the animal for easier pick up.

PREPARE A BOX OR CARRIER

• Place a clean, non-frayed towel or cloth on the bottom of a size-appropriate box (with a secure lid) or pet carrier.
• DO NOT put any food or water in the transport container as it will end up all over the animal during transport.

HANDLE WITH CARE

• Your safety is important. Do not endanger yourself rescuing animals.
• Any injured animal may try to fight you; this is natural. They are scared and in pain; humans are viewed as large predators.
• All handling should be kept to a minimum. Too much human contact may cause shock, which can be fatal.
• Make sure the box lid or carrier door is securely shut to prevent any escapes in route to the rehabilitator.
• Keep the box or carrier warm, ESPECIALLY if you are transporting babies. Car radios should be off to reduce noise.

REMEMBER FOR THE REHABILITATOR

• WHERE and WHEN you found the animal.
• What/When/How/How Much (if anything) you fed the animal, though it is preferred that you not feed them at all.

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All information on this and other pages of “What Do I Do If…” is the work of Brittany Davis of Second Chance Wildlife Center (Gaithersburg, MD).