It’s a scene that can catch anyone off guard. You’re out for a morning walk or driving home from work when you spot a bird, rabbit, or raccoon that clearly isn’t moving right. Your instinct might be to rush in and help, but when it comes to wildlife, the right kind of help can make all the difference between life and further harm.
Before acting, it’s important to know what to do and what not to do to keep both you and the animal safe.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Always contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center or local animal control authority before handling or moving an injured wild animal.
Assess From A Distance
The first thing to do is pause and observe. Injured wild animals are frightened, disoriented, and often in pain, which can make them unpredictable. Keep your distance while you look for signs of injury – such as limping, visible wounds, drooping wings, or abnormal behavior like circling or confusion.
Sometimes, what looks like distress might be normal behavior. For example, young birds often spend a day or two on the ground after leaving the nest, while their parents continue to feed them from nearby. Approaching too soon could separate them unnecessarily.
Call A Professional First
If the animal is clearly injured or in danger, your next step is to contact local wildlife authorities. In Canada, every province has licensed wildlife rehabilitators trained to handle native species safely. You can find them through organisations such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation or your province’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Avoid calling general animal shelters unless you’re certain they take wildlife. Many only handle domestic pets, and wild animals require specialized care, nutrition, and quarantine protocols.
Keep Safety In Mind
Never try to pick up a wild animal with your bare hands, no matter how small or calm it seems. Even a squirrel or pigeon can bite or scratch when scared. Use thick gloves and a towel only if a professional advises you to contain it.
If you need to move the animal away from immediate danger – for instance, from the middle of the road – gently guide it into a ventilated box or container lined with a soft cloth. Keep it quiet, dark, and warm while you wait for a rehabilitator to arrive or give further instructions.
Resist The Urge To Feed Or Treat
It’s a natural impulse to offer food or water, but that can often do more harm than good. Different species have specific dietary needs, and certain foods (like cow’s milk or bread) can cause serious illness. Likewise, never attempt to give medicine, as even mild human painkillers can be toxic to animals.
Wildlife experts emphasize that the best thing you can do is keep the animal calm and limit stress until professionals take over. Too much handling or noise can send a wild creature into shock.
Prevention And Awareness
If you live near forests, fields, or water, it’s a good idea to save contact numbers for nearby wildlife rescue services in your phone. Knowing who to call saves precious time during emergencies. You can also help prevent injuries by keeping pets indoors, driving carefully through wildlife zones, and securing garbage bins to deter foraging animals.
A Small Act With A Big Impact
Helping a wild animal in distress might seem overwhelming, but doing it safely ensures a real chance at recovery. Most animals brought to licensed rehabilitators are successfully treated and released back into the wild, where they belong.
Every careful, informed action – even making that first phone call – plays a part in protecting the incredible diversity of Canada’s wildlife.
