Help!
Wildlife Emergency
If you find an injured wild animal, please contact the DFW Wildlife Coaliltion's hotline at 972-234-7777 immediately. If nobody answers your call, please leave a message; the hotline volunteer may be helping other people at the moment.
Please do not attempt to feed the animal or pick it up bare-handed. Make sure the animal is securely contained before it is transported to a rehabilitator.
You can also look for a Texas permitted wildlife rehabilitator in your county.
Orphan or Not?
Sometimes babies are not in need of our help. If they are not orphaned, remember this: Mom knows best! We cannot duplicate the mother's care. In some cases, like with the cottontails, their best chance for survival is with their mother. To check if that baby you found is in need of rescue please check the links below. There are videos, pictures, and instructions on what to do.
Do not attempt to feed the baby anything. Just place the baby in a shoe box or plastic container with some soft clothing and a source of heat like a hot water bottle.
We know it's hard to resist feeding a baby animal - please don't! Baby wild animals have very specific nutritional needs, and special feeding techniques must be used to ensure they don't aspirate (get fluid in their lungs).
- Is this baby mammal an orphan?
- Is this baby bird an orphan?
Wildlife Conflicts
Sometimes, we have conflicts with our wild neighbors. There is nothing more frustrating for a homeowner than to discover that a family of raccoons or squirrels has taken up residence in the attic, or that skunks have moved in under the deck. Just remember, though, that they were here first! Most of our native wildlife species have been displaced by all the development and construction in the DFW area, and their habitat has shrunk.
We discourage the use of live traps, because trapping and relocating does not solve the problem -- and it can create new ones. If an adult animal is trapped, there may be babies left behind who will starve to death. This can result in unpleasant odors and, potentially, structural damage to your home due to decomposition. Also, remember that if you feed any animal outdoors you are encouraging uninvited house guests -- if you feed them, they will come in and help themselves!
By clicking the links below, you'll find suggestions to solve common wildlife conflict problems. Following these suggestions will help you to live more peaceably with your wild neighbors, and we're sure you will learn some new things about them, too!
- Wildlife conflict?
- Humane House Evictions
- More resources
