What to do if you found an animal

Your safety is of the utmost importance!  If you have found a wild animal that needs help, remember - these are wild animals and will defend themselves. Further, if you cannot safely access the animal, reach out for help. 

Stop and Assess: Remember not every wild animal you see actually needs help. 

• If the animal is in obvious distress (has visible wounds, is bleeding, covered in ants or flies, or has broken limbs), this animal needs help. 
  •  Avoid directly touching any wild animal. Keep yourself and the animal safe by collecting the animal using a thick blanket, towel, broom, shovel, etc. to move them into a box or other container. The container should be (1) well ventilated and (2) secure enough to prevent escape. In the short term keep the animal somewhere warm, dark and quiet until they reach a rehabber.  
  • DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL. A shallow dish of water can be provided (ie  a jar lid.) 
• If you suspect you found an orphaned baby immediately contact us or another rehabber before collecting the animal UNLESS there are obvious signs of distress.  
  • If the baby is in distress, collect the animal into a container as described above. Keeping them somewhere warm, dark and quiet is key. 
  • Again, DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL. Wild babies require specialized nutrition and feeding methods. It is more harmful to give an animal the wrong meal in the wrong way (aspiration kills) than to miss a meal. 

ANSWRR is NOT rehabilitating birds nor deer at this time. Please consult the Texas Parks and Wildlife website to find an appropriate rehabilitator.  Rehabilitators are organized by county, and you can each rehabber's specialties. While wildlife should not be transported across state lines, they can cross county lines.

For specific bat-related inquiries, see Austin Bat Refuge.

While ANSWRR does not take in domestic animals (cats, dogs, livestock, etc), there are many area rescues that do. If in Austin, contact Austin Animal Center via 311.  We also recommend searching online for an appropriate rescue for your specific animal.

To find a permitted rehabber in Texas, see the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.