Serving Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and surrounding Northern Illinois communities.
I found this....What do I do!?!
What Constitutes an Emergency
Not every animal that is on its own, looks abandoned or alone, or seems to be in the wrong place, is in need of help. You may find a fallen nest, or a young rabbit that looks abandoned. There are several important things to consider in these situations. Please read the information that follows, so that you can determine whether the animal needs help, or whether it is exhibiting normal behavior:
An animal requires immediate help if:
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It is bleeding profusely.
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It is unconscious or convulsing.
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It has a broken leg or wing.
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It has collapsed, or is staggering, or weak.
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It has been burned.
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It is entangled in fishing line, string, net, debris, etc. or its bill or muzzle is caught in a jar, container, plastic rings from canned beverages, etc.
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It has a fish hook in its mouth or body.
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It is stuck to a glue trap, fly paper or other sticky surface.
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It has ingested oil, antifreeze or other chemicals.
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It is covered with in oil, tar, etc.
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Its eyes are crusted shut, or it appears to be blind.
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It has been shot.
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Its nest has fallen to the ground.
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Its parents are known to be dead, injured or ill.
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It is trapped in a vehicle or building.
Wildlife Emergency
Contacting A Wildlife Rehabilitator
Please Note: If a rehabber is not on this list, it's because they requested not to, or we are unaware of their licensing. (The DNR is behind on updating the list so if they don't reach out, we don't know).
People who find wild animals, particularly orphaned animals, sometimes want to care for them. We strongly discourage this practice for various reasons:
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There are local, regional and federal laws that may prohibit you from having a wild animal in your possession, even while temporarily caring for it with the intention of release. Wildlife rehabilitators or care centers are permitted to keep wildlife for rehabilitation.
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There are diseases that humans and pets can contract from wildlife. There are also diseases that domestic pets animals can transmit to wildlife.
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Rehabilitators are trained to recognize and deal with injuries, illnesses, parasites and other conditions that may be present. They can administer appropriate medications, manage wounds, and stabilize an animal that is in shock. Not all veterinarians have experience with wild animals. A rehabilitator will know an appropriate veterinarian for consultation.
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Rehabilitators and care centers have the necessary equipment, caging, and environment required by different species.
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Rehabilitators are trained to care for an animal while preserving its wildness. Young birds and mammals suffer as a result of human impact. An animal that has lost its normal or innate fear of humans will not survive in the wild. Releasing a tame wild animal is signing its death sentence.
The field of wildlife rehabilitation is a discipline with its own body of literature, training and certification. In the best interests of wildlife, we urge you to have their well-being as your first priority: entrust them to the capable hands of a trained, experienced, permitted rehabilitator.
You can find your local rehabilitator by searching with the words "wildlife rehabilitator" then add your state. If you are having trouble finding someone near you try calling a local zoo, nature center, your states department of natural resources, or federal fish and wildlife services.
Community Education & Outreach
Animal care doesn’t stop at services — it extends into education, collaboration, and community responsibility. Here are a few of the projects/organizations I'm working with.
Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer run, Federal & State licensed organization dedicated to rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned birds of prey with the goal of returning healthy birds back to the wild. We also focus on educating the public about wildlife, conservation, ecology and habitats in the forum of utilizing "live" birds of prey and other biological tools. We are passionate about protecting these magnificent birds and educating the community about the importance of their preservation.Our team is committed to providing the highest level of care for injured and orphaned raptors, ensuring their safe return to the wild. Through our specialized programs, we aim to inspire a love for wildlife and foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment and its inhabitants.
This annual charitable event is open to all domestic, wild, and farm animal lovers. Illinois’ furriest friends are excited to meet you! Join us for over 30,000 square feet of the Midwest’s best animal loving shopping and services, live entertainment, activities and education, meet the areas’ cutest adoptables and so much more. Whether you are interested in volunteering, fostering, adopting, or you just love all animals – this charitable expo is the place to be!
Join us for an essential journey into the world of animal first aid, where you'll learn invaluable skills to provide immediate care for our furry, feathered, and scaly friends. From household pets to wildlife encounters, this comprehensive course covers the fundamental basics, giving you the tools to handle common emergencies with confidence.