You’ve found a wild bird or animal. What do you do next?
1) Establish whether or not it is appropriate to intervene.
As a rule, if they have been caught by a cat or dog, hit by a car or there are any visible wounds or other injuries, then they will need help. If the situation is less clear, you will find advice on a lot of common scenarios on our ‘Sick or Injured Wildlife’ pages.
2) IF SAFE TO DO SO, contain the casualty
If you have established that the bird or animal needs help, please try to contain it so that it is safe from predators and doesn’t wander off. NB Only take this step if it will not place you or the casualty in danger. We recommend that you do not try to handle adult squirrels, foxes, badgers or deer yourself. Most other casualties can be picked up with gardening gloves or a towel and placed in a cardboard box or cat carrier.
3) Find a wildlife rescue to help
Once you have established that help is needed, search our directory to find wildlife rescues in your vicinity. We recommend that you telephone them (rather than emailing or posting on their facebook page) to ensure you get prompt help. Electronic communications may only be checked every few days if the rescue is busy.
If you cannot find help or do not know what to do try one of the following
1) Post in our facebook advice group for further help – www.facebook.com/groups/helpwildlifeUK
2) Check one of these sites for other rescues
3) The following specialist national organisations hold lists of carers or have volunteers covering much of the country so are worth contacting if you can’t find suitable help.
Bat Conservation Trust
National Fox Welfare Society
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Mustelid Rescue
Raptor Rescue
British Divers Marine Life Rescue