Found an animal? What to do
Oftentimes, the best way you can help a seemingly abandoned animal you come across is to just let it be; especially during the Spring/ Summer seasons when young animals are being taught to subsist on their own by nearby parents who are monitoring their progress.
If there are no visible signs of injury, it's always best to monitor the situation before deciding to scoop and rescue. A container of clean water placed in nearby shade is always going to be appreciated, but it's best not to try and feed, as many times what you think is helping can actually cause illness, long-term damage, or worse.
Click the below links, follow the flow charts, then take the appropriate action.
Of course, if you see blood, open wounds, and/or exposed bones, seek medical assistance immediately. But, please be mindful- wildlife facilities are notoriously overburdened with cases (one of the reasons we're working hard to open another facility in the area), so anything you can do to prevent unnecessary cases will be appreciated by all who care for wildlife and allow injured animals to receive more attentive care.
Keep in mind a wild animal's best hope for survival is to stay wild and not become dependent on humans for care, as many humans can not, and should not be trusted.
Do not mislead them with your kindness and good intentions.
Thank you for caring and being a champion for wildlife!
Current local facilities accepting animals for medical care include:
Wildlife Care Association
5211 Patrol Road
McClellan, CA 95652
(916) 965-9453
https://wildlifecareassociation.com
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue
11251 B Ave.
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 885-0862
https://goldcountrywildliferescue.org
Sierra Wildlife Rescue
777 Pleasant Valley Road
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
(530) 621-4661
https://sierrawildliferescue.org