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Advice by Species - Adult Birds

Advice by Species - Adult Birds

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  • Test Elementor
  • When to Help Waterfowl
  • When to Help Owls and Birds of Prey
  • When to Help Garden Birds
Advice by Species - Baby Birds

Advice by Species - Baby Birds

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  • When to Help Baby Waterfowl
  • When to Help Baby Gulls
  • When to Help Baby Feral Pigeons
  • When to Help Baby Garden Birds
  • When to Help Baby Birds of Prey and Owls
Advice by Species - Mammals

Advice by Species - Mammals

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  • When to Help Badgers
  • When to Help Bats
  • When to Help Deer
  • When to Help Foxes
  • When to Help Hedgehogs
  • When to Help Otters
  • When to Help Rodents
  • When to Help Squirrels
  • Baby rabbits and hares
Common Scenarios

Common Scenarios

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  • Birds trapped in elevated netting
  • Birds in Shops or Warehouses
  • Peafowl
  • Animals Hit by a Car
  • Reuniting Baby Squirrels
  • Helping Stray Racing Pigeons
  • Oiled Birds
  • Birds with Broken Wings
  • Nesting Birds
  • Birds in Chimneys
  • Animals Tangled in Netting, Fencing or Line
  • Animals Caught by a Cat or Dog
  • Autumn Juvenile Hedgehogs
  • Helping Foxes with Mange
  • Wildlife in Urban Areas
  • Helping Animals with a Limp
  • Ducks nesting away from a water source
  • Airplane Wing
  • Fledgling Garden Birds
  • Birds flying into windows
Practical Advice for Finders

Practical Advice for Finders

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  • Step 1: Assessing if Help is Needed
  • Step 2: Capturing a Wild Animal in Need of Help
  • Step 3: Finding and Contacting a Wildlife Rescue
  • Step 4: Short term care of a wildlife casualty
  • Step 5: Getting A Wildlife Casualty to Rescue
  • Sending an Animal to Rescue in an Uber
Other Articles

Other Articles

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  • What to do if you find dead wildlife
  • Rescue Criticism and Abuse
  • Releasing or rehoming hedgehogs in your garden
  • Finding Help for ‘Vermin’
  • The Ethics of Pigeon Racing
  • Who to Call for Help
  • Caring for Wildlife Casualties Yourself
Conflict Advice

Conflict Advice

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  • Why Traditional ‘Pest-Control’ Doesn’t Work
  • Solving Problems with Squirrels
  • Solving Problems with Rodents
  • Solving Problems with Pigeons
  • Solving Problems with Bats
  • Solving Problems with Corvids
  • Solving Problems with Foxes
  • Wildlife Management Resources
  • Home
  • Advice
  • Advice by Species - Mammals
  • When to Help Rodents

When to Help Rodents

Table of Contents
  • When to rescue
  • When to take other action
  • Next Steps

Rats and mice are often referred to as vermin but in our view all wild animals have an equal right to help when things go wrong. It’s important to note, there are no legal obstacles to rescuing and rehabilitating these animals, though not every rescue will be willing to treat them.

Rodents most often need help when attacked by cats or when their nests are disturbed, for example during gardening work.

 

When to rescue #

Any animal caught by a cat
They must receive antibiotic treatment within a few hours or the bacteria on the cats teeth may cause fatal septicaemia.

An animal that can be easily approached
These are naturally very wary animals so if they cannot or do not try to run away they’re in trouble.

An animal with an obvious injury
An animal of any age with a visible wound or injury such as a damaged limb will need help.

 

When to take other action #

A lone baby with their eyes closed outside of the nest
This is a dangerous situation for the baby but it may be that Mum has dropped them while moving nests. Observe from a distance (ideally indoors) for an hour and contact a rescue for help if Mum doesn’t return.

A lone juvenile caught in wet weather

We get many enquiries about young mice after heavy rain. They’re often found damp and huddled near to homes. Usually, just bringing them inside and getting them warm and dry until the rain passes is all they need. See here for more detailed care advice. Once fully alert you can offer some fruit for energy. If they’re not fully recovered and bouncing about after a few hours, they’ll need help from a rescue.

A nest of babies with no Mum
Mothers often spend time away from their young and will flee if the nest is disturbed. Cover the nest with natural materials such as leaves or grass and leave the area so Mum feels safe to return. Contact a wildlife rescue for advice if there is no sign of an adult after several hours or if you find a group of babies outside of a nest.

 

Next Steps #

Once you’ve established that an animal needs help you’ll ideally get them contained and get them to a wildlife rescue. You’ll find detailed advice on catching them, keeping them safe, and getting help from a wildlife rescue at https://helpwildlife.co.uk/advice/practical-advice-for-finders/

If you are unsure whether to intervene or you have difficulty finding a rescue who can help, you can contact us via helpwildlife.co.uk/helpdesk and our volunteers will give you advice and support.

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Updated on January 16, 2022
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Table of Contents
  • When to rescue
  • When to take other action
  • Next Steps

Have we Helped?

Helpwildlife.co.uk is a charity run website providing advice about sick, injured or problem wildlife, and a directory of around 600 wildlife rescue organisations. If you have found it to be a useful resource, please leave a comment on our feedback page.

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NEED HELP?

Our helpdesk volunteers can advise when to intervene and put you in touch with wildlife rescues in your area. Submit a ticket here.

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