Bats: call Nor Cal Bats at 530-902-1918 and/or California Native Bat Conservancy at 530-642-2731. Bats are flying mammals that eat mosquitoes, termites, and other insects (for more information, click here). They can be very small and can appear very docile. However, if they are picked up, they will try to protect themselves by biting. So, for your safety and the satey of the bat, DO NOT TOUCH BATS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS! Click here for more information on what to do if you find an injured or orphaned bat.
 

Fawns: call 530-885-0862 or 530-621-4661. During the first two weeks of life, fawns are often left alone by their mothers. The mother returns every few hours to nurse. Fawns who are found curled up and quiet should be left alone and checked again in four to six hours. Only if they are standing, crying and appear very weak or are injured should they be rescued. Please be VERY sure the parent is not coming back before touching a fawn!
 

Opossum: call 965-WILD. Baby opossum stay in their mother's pouch for about ten weeks. When they emerge from the pouch, the tiny youngsters are often seen accompanying their mothers on nocturnal foraging expeditions. If the opossum is six to eight inches long (not including the tail), it is independent of the mother and should be left alone. Smaller opossum found wandering alone or injured opossum should be taken to a rehabilitator.
 

Rabbits: call 965-WILD. Rabbit nests are shallow indents or burrows in the ground. It is best to leave them alone until the babies leave at about three to four weeks after birth. Keep domestic animals away. If you accidentally disturb such a nest, cover it with dry grass. Rabbit mothers will return to the nest even if the young have been handled or if the nest has been exposed by a lawn mower. Since the mother visits her young only once or twice a day, usually at dawn and dusk, do not expect to see her. Bring these animals into a rehabilitator only if the mother is confirmed dead or missing, the infant is injured or has had contact with a dog or cat, or the nest has been completely destroyed! At three to four weeks rabbits are self-sufficient. They sit up, hold their ears erect, hop about, eat whole foods and look like miniature adults. Leave them alone unless they are sick or injured. 
 

Raccoons: call WCA at 965-WILD. These young animals are frequently left alone by their mothers for several hours at a time (normally at night). Young raccoons found by themselves are almost never orphans. If the mother has not returned by late morning and the babies are making loud noises, it can be assumed something has happened to the mother. Only if the mother is confirmed dead or missing should raccoons be brought to wildlife rehabilitator. Safety first: Even tiny raccoons can inflict painful bites and scratches, so do NOT handle without heavy gloves.
 

Squirrels: call WCA at 916-965-WILD. Occasionally squirrel leaf nests are destroyed in storms and young squirrels fall to the ground. Unless squirrels are functioning independently of the mother, they need to be brought to a wildlife rehabilitator IMMEDIATELY! Since baby squirrels dehydrate quickly in the sun and are chilled easily on cold nights, they need to be brought in as quickly as possible. Cold babies should lightly wrapped in a non-terry cloth and placed in a covered box on a heating pad set to low. If the squirrel is uninjured, appears healthy and the mother is around it is possible that she will retrieve the baby and return it to the nest. If she doesn't retrieve the baby within two hours, it should be rescued.
 

For injured adult deer or nuisance or dead wildlife, call your local animal control or fish and game. We do not trap or relocate nuisance animals! 

 

Please do not attempt to raise or keep a wild mammal. When young, they need specialized diets and will develop bone problems if fed incorrectly. Young mammals grow into unpredictable animals that can be dangerous. Adult mammals and reptiles will bite and scratch and can carry diseases and parasites. Wild animals NEVER make good pets!