If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, keep people and pets away and do not feed, touch, or move the animal unless it is in immediate danger. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for guidance. Wildlife needs specialized care, and attempting to care for it yourself can cause harm.
If you find a baby wild animal, keep your distance and observe from a safe location. Many young animals are not abandoned and may have a parent nearby. Keep pets and children away, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local animal control for guidance before moving the animal.
Wild animals have specialized needs, diets, and medical care. Do not try to raise or treat a wild animal yourself. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local animal control for guidance on what to do next.
If a wild animal is in immediate danger, keep yourself and others at a safe distance and contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Find a licensed NJ wildlife rehabilitator: Use the NJ Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitator Locator to find help near you.NJ DEP 24/7 Wildlife Hotline: 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337)
If a wild animal appears sick, injured, or unusually weak, keep people and pets away and do not touch, feed, or attempt to treat the animal. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local animal control for guidance. If the animal is in immediate danger, explain the situation and location so they can advise you on the safest next step.
Keep yourself and others away from traffic and the injured animal. Do not attempt to move the animal unless a trained professional tells you it is safe to do so. Contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. If the animal is in immediate danger or causing a traffic hazard, explain the situation and exact location when you call.
If a wild animal is simply passing through your yard, it is usually best to leave it alone and give it plenty of space. Bring pets indoors and avoid feeding or approaching wildlife. If the animal appears injured, sick, or unable to move normally, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local animal control for guidance.
It is best not to feed wild animals. Supplemental feeding is highly discouraged because wildlife generally does not need human-provided food and feeding can create problems for wildlife. Enjoy wild animals from a safe distance and allow them to find their natural food. Backyard bird feeding during winter can be acceptable when bears are not around.
Keep people and pets away from the animal and give it space. Do not try to catch, handle, or remove wildlife yourself. Contact your local Animal Control Officer or a professional wildlife control company for guidance. If you are dealing with a bat, snake, or another animal that may require special handling, follow species-specific guidance from New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.
Keep your distance and do not touch or approach an animal that is acting strangely, aggressively, or showing signs such as unusual behavior, difficulty walking, circling, or disorientation. Contact your local Animal Control Officer, police department, or local health department for assistance. If you or someone else is bitten, scratched, or exposed to an animal’s saliva, wash the area with soap and water and seek medical attention promptly.
If a wild animal has been caught or injured by a cat or dog, keep people and pets away from the animal and do not attempt to treat or care for it yourself. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local Animal Control Officer for guidance. Even if the animal does not appear seriously injured, it may need professional evaluation.
Not every wild animal that is alone needs help. Young wildlife may be exploring while a parent is nearby. Keep your distance, keep pets and children away, and observe from a safe location. If the animal appears injured, sick, or truly abandoned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local Animal Control Officer before interfering or moving the animal
In New Jersey, you should not take a wild animal from the wild and keep it as a pet. Wildlife has specific needs and may carry diseases or become dependent on people. Some captive wildlife may be possessed only when the proper permits and legal requirements are met, and animals taken from the wild cannot simply be kept as pets. If you find an injured, orphaned, or sick wild animal, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Moving a wild animal can cause unnecessary stress, separate young animals from their parents, or place the animal in an unfamiliar and potentially unsafe location. Many young animals that appear to be alone are actually being cared for by a nearby parent. Keep your distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local Animal Control Officer for guidance before moving wildlife, unless immediate danger requires action.
Wild animals are adapted to handle New Jersey’s changing weather, including cold temperatures, snow, and high winds. If the animal is behaving normally and is not injured or sick, it is usually best to leave it alone and give it plenty of space. Keep pets and children away and do not feed or move the animal. If it appears injured, sick, or truly needs help, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local Animal Control Officer for guidance.