Most babies brought to us are not in need of help and could have been reunited with mama if the finders had the proper instructions. Please always contact a rehabber before you touch or remove any wildlife. Do not assume a rehabber can take wildlife you have found. We have a certain protocol we must follow before taking in a wild animal. It is always best for babies if they are cared for by their own parents. The instructions below will help if you cannot find a rehabber near you or if it’s after hours for rehab centers.
Squirrels & Flying Squirrels
It is not uncommon to find infant squirrels year round in South Carolina. We recommend that you always try to reunite babies with mama. If you’ve found a nest after a storm or after a tree was cut down leave the nest nearby. Mama will almost always retrieve her babies.
When to call a rehabber:
- If babies are covered in ants
- If there are visible injuries
- If mama has not returned to retrieve her babies after several hours
- If a nest or babies were found, but cannot be reunited with mama due to severe weather/extreme temperatures
- If you fear other humans may try to interfere and take the babies to keep them as pets
Who to call?
There are several mammal rehabbers in South Carolina with experience in squirrel and flying squirrel care.
In the Midlands you can call us at 803-427-1350, or Carolina Wildlife Center at 803-772-3994.
More rehabbers can be found at www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab.html
Fawns
It is not uncommon to come across fawns left alone. Like other wildlife species, mama does not stay with her babies. Instead she ‘parks’ them and watches from afar to keep from attracting predators to her offspring. She does not usually get near her babies until after dusk. Mama will not approach you if you get near her babies.
DO NOT pick up a fawn just because it is sitting alone. Do not attempt to raise a fawn as a pet. In South Carolina fawns can only be cared for by a permitted rehabber. It is illegal for anyone not permitted to be in possession of a fawn. SC Code of Laws 50-11-410
When to call a rehabber:
- If the fawn is found near a dead doe. (Be prepared to show a game warden proof of the dead doe.)
- If a fawn is covered in ants
- If a fawn has visible injuries
- If a fawn has been chased by dogs (or people)
- If a fawn has not been reclaimed by moma after dark.
Who to call?
There are several fawn rehabbers in South Carolina.
In the Midlands you can call us at 803-427-1350, or Carolina Wildlife Center at 803-772-3994.
More rehabbers can be found at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html
Cottontails
Cottontails are found almost year round in South Carolina. If you find a nest please cover it back up. Mama Cottontails only visit/feed twice a day. Once before sunrise and once after sunset. If you are concerned the nest has been abandoned simply take four twigs and put them across the nest in a ‘tic-tac-toe’ pattern. If the pattern is disturbed the next morning you’ll know mama has returned.
Cottontails are usually on their own by the time they are 4 weeks old. If you find a Cottontail that is fully furred with it’s eyes open and it’s about 4-5 inches in length it is most likely already on it’s own. It does not need to be rescued unless it is injured.
When to call a rehabber:
- If mama does not return after following the instructions above
- If babies were in contact with a cat or dog
- If babies are covered in ants
- If there are visible injuries
Who to call?
There are several Cottontail rehabbers in South Carolina.
In the Midlands you can call us at 803-427-1350, or Carolina Wildlife Center at 803-772-3994.
More rehabbers can be found at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html
Baby Birds/Birds of Prey
If the bird is fully feathered, UNinjured and hopping around it is a fledgling. Contrary to popular belief baby birds do not simply jump from the nest and fly. It takes several tries and sometimes a few days for fledglings to master the art of flying. While on the ground mama and daddy will continue feeding the baby. Keep all cats, dogs or other pets that could harm the fledgling away until baby takes off.
If the bird is not fully feathered you can simply put it back in the nest. Please do not believe the myth that mama or daddy will reject it if a human touches it. We put baby birds back all the time. If you cannot reach the nest place the baby in a basket (one that will drain) lined with leaves or pine straw and hang it in a tree near the nest or close to where the bird was found. From a safe distance watch for mama and daddy to visit the baby and feed it. Almost all wild Birds native to South Carolina are federally protected and can only be rehabilitated by someone with a federal permit.
When to call a rehabber:
- If the baby is covered in ants
- If there are visible injuries
- If moma or daddy bird do not return after a few hours
- If a cat has had contact with the bird
Who to call?
In South Carolina you can call us, Carolina Wildlife Center at 803-772-3994 or find another rehabber at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html
We cannot always take birds, but we can help you find someone who can. Always be sure the person you are surrendering a bird to is federally permitted to have birds.
Opossum
Opossum babies are almost impossible to reunite with mama because she is nomadic and does not stay in one area very long. If you’ve found a baby or young opossum it’s always best to contact a rehabber to see what is recommended. A rehabber can help determine the age of an opossum and determine if it needs help. If you find a dead female opossum with babies in pouch contact a rehabber immediately. If you can safely remove the babies without endangering yourself do so wearing gloves.
Who to call?
There are several mammal rehabbers experienced in opossum care in South Carolina.
In the Midlands you can call us at 803-427-1350 (our intake of opossum is limited), or Carolina Wildlife Center at 803-772-3994.
More rehabbers can be found at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html
Raccoon
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANY RACCOON WITHOUT GLOVES! Do not attempt to pick up or move a baby raccoon without contacting a rehabber first. Raccoon are one of the leading rabies vector species in our state. If you try to handle a raccoon and are bit or scratched please contact your health care provider or DHEC at 803-778-6548.
Who to call?
Raccoon rehabbers are scarce in our state. You may have to make several calls before you find someone with the proper vaccines to take in orphaned or abandoned raccoon. Please do not attempt to care for a baby raccoon on your own.
Go to http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html to locate someone qualified to care for raccoon or contact your local DNR office to speak with a game warden in your area.
Bats
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH ANY BATS WITHOUT GLOVES! Do not attempt to pick up or move a bat without contacting a rehabber first.
If you find a bat in your home, contain the bat placing a garbage can, bucket or another object on top of it. Call DHEC for further instructions.
Bats are one of the leading rabies vector species in our state. If you find a bat in your home OR try to handle a bat and get bit or scratched please contact your health care provider or DHEC at 803-778-6548.
Who to call?
Like raccoon, bat rehabbers are scarce in our state. You may have to make several calls before you find someone with the proper vaccines to take in orphaned, abandoned or injured bats. Please do not attempt to care for a bat on your own.
Go to http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html to locate someone qualified to care for bats or contact your local DNR office to speak with a game warden in your area.
Fox and Coyote
It is illegal to rehab or relocate a fox or coyote in South Carolina. If you find an abandoned fox or coyote please contact a game warden in your area for instructions.
If you have been bitten or scratched by a fox or coyote please contact your local health provider or DHEC at 803-778-6548.
Other Species
We are always happy to help you locate a rehabber for critters you have found. Give us a call and we will do the best we can OR you can contact the DNR for rehabbers in your area. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/index.html
*It is always important to contact a rehabber if you are concerned about a wild animal. Never try to feed or rehab any species on your own. Wild animals can transmit parasites and zoonotic diseases to humans. Rehabbers cannot accept an orphaned or injured animal if you have fed it. Wildlife rehabbers are not shelters. We do not take in wildlife raised as pets. We do not keep non-releasable wildlife. It is not uncommon for a rescue to refuse to take an animal you have found. Always contact a rehabber before you remove wildlife.*
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