After Hours for MAMMALS

So, what is it you do?

Every animal you may find and think is in distress needs careful observation before interpreting its behavior as a problem.

Different animals need different responses. Please follow the guidelines below to determine the next step based on their specific needs and conditions. Your primary responsibility is to avoid danger or trauma to both yourself and the animal. NEVER use force or place yourself in a compromising situation for any reason. Approach the situation calmly and with caution.

To determine whether an animal is truly in need, please refer to our CARE FLYERS Page for detailed guidelines and identification tips.

Special Consideration for BABY Animals:

Mother Nature has designed some species to leave their babies alone in a safe place while the parents are out foraging for food. If you encounter such a situation,

it's best to observe from a distance and not disturb the young ones. By interfering, you may do more harm than good.

Please refer to our BABIES IN NEED Page.

You'll find additional guidance and resources to handle the situation appropriately.

There are TWO RULES to follow in EVERY SITUATION:

DO NOT give food or water to the animal before speaking with a licensed rehabilitation professional. Most animals can go over 12 hours without it. Improper feeding is much more dangerous than hunger.

DO NOT bring the animal to a veterinarian's office. Veterinarians are not licensed or permitted to keep wildlife. They don't have time to bring them to us and we do not have time or resources to pick them up. Dropping them off may leave no choice but euthanasia.

If you have BIRD in need after hours - please refer to the BIRDS AFTER HOURS CARE PAGE.

Please refer to the wildlife species information below.

NOTE: If you found a domestic animal, by state law, you must call your local animal control, not us.

These Species CANNOT be Helped:

Coyotes or Turkeys

It is ILLEGAL for anyone in the state of North Carolina to rehabilitate coyotes or Turkeys. If you are concerned about an injured coyote or turkey, you should contact local animal control authorities for proper guidance. CLAWS, veterinarians, and other rehabilitation professionals CANNOT assist you.

Bats
CLAWS does not rehabilitate bats.

Please go to

https://www.ncwildlife.gov/connect/have-wildlife-problem for more information on rehabilitation service providers.

Deer

In North Carolina, no one is allowed to help adult deer. If you are concerned about an adult deer, please call the wildlife authorities for assistance and do not approach the animal yourself.

Fawn

Mom leaves her baby "parked" most of the time for the first two months. If you find a baby alone, either laying down in a curled up position, it is most likely fine and should be left alone. If you find a baby that is either laid out, flat, legs and head completely away from the body, or has flies swarming around it, or has been FRANTICALLY screaming for over an hour, that fawn needs help. Please do not chase it, this alone could kill the animal. If you can quietly capture the fawn, keep it in a warm, dry place, away from pets and children and do NOT offer it any food or water.

Please visit the licensed wildlife rehabilitators page at www.ncwildlife.gov to find a fawn rehabilitator in your county.

These Species CAN be Helped:

Bunnies, Opossums, & Squirrels

If you are in Orange County, please keep the animal in a box with a towel or dry cloth under it, keep it in a warm, dry place away from pets and children and DO NOT give it any food or water. You can keep them on a heating pad set to LOW, under half of whatever you are keeping them in, so that they can move if needed.
Call CLAWS in the morning so that we can determine the best course of action.

If you are outside of Orange County, please visit the licensed wildlife rehabilitators page at www.ncwildlife.gov to find a rehabilitator in your county.

Foxes, Raccoons, Skunks, Otters, Beavers, & Bobcats,

If the animal is an adult call 919-707-0040, press 1 when it answers and report it to the Wildlife Commission. Do NOT try to handle an adult of any of these species yourself.
If the animal is a baby, put the animal in a box using heavy gloves or hold a box sideways next to the animal and scooch it into the box with a broom, shovel or stick, etc.
Please keep the animal in a box with a towel or dry cloth under it, keep it in a warm, dry place away from pets and children and DO NOT give it any food or water. You can keep them on a heating pad set to LOW, under half of whatever you are keeping them in, so that they can move if needed.
Call CLAWS in the morning so that we can determine the best course of action.