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How to Locate/Transport to a Wildlife Rehabilitator



DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline 972-234-WILD or 972-234-9453
Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days per year.  Our volunteer operated hotline will assist in finding a wildlife rehabilitator that specializes in the wildlife or type of injury, orphaned, and or conflict/concern you may have.  

Animal Help Now (www.ahnow.org)
If you have called the DFW Wildlife Coalition and it is after hours or you cannot reach a volunteer or you live outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and surrounding counties, you may find a wildlife rehabilitator at the Animal Help Now website (www.ahnow.org). Animal Help Now is a national database of wildlife or veterinarian professionals.

Animal Help Now App, a free app for either iPhone or Android called “Animal Help Now”.  This app will use GPS to lists wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians based on hours of operation near you.  You may need to search in surrounding cities or counties. If you are searching late at night, you may want to check again in the morning in the event there are options that are now open for business.

Texas Parks and Wildlife (https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/rehab/list/) TPWD will list permitted wildlife rehabilitators by county. Be sure and check the species they accept. If you live outside of Texas check with your state’s wildlife agency.

If you cannot locate a rehabilitator or transport the animal immediately:

    1. Provide heat (Quick Tips > Ways to Provide Heat for Orphan or Injured Wild Animal)
    2. DO NOT attempt to feed. Most animals will not eat when in pain. Feeding the wrong diet to a baby can compromise and even kill it.
    3. DO NOT FORCE WATER.
    4. DO NOT HANDLE. Remember, you are a predator and may be causing undo stress and fear. Prey species can die from stress.
    5. Place securely contained animal in a quiet, warm, dark location away from children and pets.

As tempting as it might be to keep the animal and attempt to care for it yourself, please remember that it is illegal to keep a wild animal.

Delay in transporting may be the difference in life or death. The animal’s best chance at survival rests with being placed with a permitted professional. If you delay, you might compromise the recovery of the animal you have rescued.

Once You Have Located A Rehabilitation Professional, be ready to transport as quickly as possible.

    1. If you know that you cannot transport, please reach out to neighbors, family and friends for help. Wildlife rehabilitators have their hands full providing feedings, medical attention, and husbandry to the animals in their care. They typically do not have the time or volunteers to pick up wildlife. Uber might be an option for transport, discuss with the rehabilitator.

    2. Please refrain from using the radio while driving. The little life you are transporting is very afraid, and the radio will only add to its stress.

    3. Please do not transport in the bed of a pickup truck! Wind, road noise, and extreme temperatures could further compromise the animal.

    4. Never transport the animal in an open container. Be sure the animal is securely contained.

    5. When meeting the rehabilitation professional and handing off the animal, please remember to give details of the rescue and any other information.

A donation towards the care of the animal would also be deeply appreciated by the rehabber. Rehabilitators do not receive assistance from city or state agencies, just public support.

Thank you for being a caring person and for taking the time to save wildlife!