Wild animals can be dangerous and need to be handled ONLY by an experienced rehabber!

If you find an orphaned and/or injured animal and are unsure how to contain it, please contact us and do not try to care for it on your own. Injured animals can be fearfully aggressive and will not understand that you are trying to help. Any wild animal that bites a human must be euthanized to be tested for rabies so it’s best not to risk it.

In addition, babies require specialized care that differs by species. Trying to feed an animal the wrong thing (such as cow’s milk, formula, Pedialyte, or even water) with the wrong instrument (such as a baby bottle or dropper; instruments/methods also vary by species) at the wrong time (such as their age, body temp, injuries, diet, medications needed, and more) can kill it; many also easily aspirate if fed the wrong way and will die without veterinary treatment. With so much incorrect at-home rehab information found online, anything you do may mean life or death for an animal. Instead, just keep the animal warm in a quiet room and contact your nearest rehabber as soon as possible.

If you find orphaned and/or injured wildlife in the Knoxville/East Tennessee area, please see the Contact page for rehabbers of other species.