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a swan in a cardboard box, an eastern cottontail rabbit with a gaping flesh wound sitting on a lavender fleece blanket in a tote, a white pelican on ice with a missing right wing, a juvenile raccoon lying in a cage feeling sick

Who to call about Wisconsin wildlife in need

Help for wildlife in Dane County and surrounding areas

  • Before interveningmake sure a wild animal needs help.

  • Always call an organization before bringing them an animal. If you're able to send them photos or videos, it will help them assess the situation.

  • Follow health and safety protocols before approaching a wild animal. 

  • Be aware of avian flu (HPAI), which can be contagious and deadly to avian and mammalian predators and scavengers.

  • If a wildlife rehabilitator helps you, donate, if you can. 

  • Remember many of these organizations are run by volunteers with jobs, families, and finite resources, room, and hours in a day. 

  • In the busy season, some rehabbers are forced to make the agonizing decision to "close" for specific species due to limited human resources and space. It can be incredibly frustrating. Please consider whether you could get involved in the future. 

  • Never trap and relocate a wild animal.

The information on this site is current as of winter/spring 2025.

Can I trap and relocate a wild animal from my yard?

Learn why the Humane Society of the United Sates advises that live-trapping and relocation rarely ends well for wildlife (or homeowners) and is not a permanent solution.   

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