FOUND A WILD ANIMAL?
What did you find?
Select the animal to see specific rescue instructions.
Bat Triage
NEVER touch with bare hands. Rabies risk.
- Bedroom: Found where people sleep? Must be tested.
- Grounded: Cannot fly from floor. Vulnerable.
- Hanging: Normal if outdoors.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Delaware Bat Rehab REHAB
Bat Conservation
Coastal Bird Triage
Tri-State Bird Rescue handles all native wild birds.
- Chick (Fuzzy/Speckled): Nest on sand/gravel/roofs. Leave alone unless in immediate danger.
- Juvenile (Brown/Mottled): Fully feathered but can't fly well yet. Leave alone.
- Injured: Dragging wing, bleeding, or fishing line entanglement. Box it.
- "Limp Neck": Bird cannot lift its head (Botulism)? Call immediately.
- Hooked: Hook in beak/body? DO NOT CUT LINE. Tape line to bird's body and box it.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tri-State Bird Rescue REHAB
Native Wild Birds
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
Wild Bird Triage
Tri-State Bird Rescue handles all native wild birds.
- Nestling: Featherless or downy (skin visible). Put back in nest.
- Fledgling: Fully feathered, hopping on ground. Leave alone.
- Injured: Drooped wing, bleeding, caught by cat.
- Window Strike: Stunned? Box for 30 mins.
- Oiled: DO NOT WASH. Call immediately.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tri-State Bird Rescue REHAB
Native Wild Birds
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
Fawn or Deer Triage
3 Palms cannot rehab deer. They are rarely orphaned.
- Quiet: Lying still is normal. Mom is nearby.
- Crying: Wandering/bleating for hours = trouble.
- Injured: Hit by car.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Vickie Bowman REHAB
Sussex County (Bridgeville Area)
DNREC Wildlife HOTLINE
Deer & State Wildlife
Fox Triage
Parents leave kits alone while hunting.
- Den Play: Kits playing near den is normal.
- Mange: Hair loss/crusty skin needs medication.
- Orphaned: Only if parents confirmed dead.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Domestic Goose Triage
Domestic geese found in public parks or ponds are almost always abandoned pets. unlike wild geese, they cannot fly well and lack natural survival instincts, making them easy targets for predators and starvation.
- Identification: Look for a heavy body, a large knob on the beak, or white/patchy coloring. If it cannot fly away when approached, it is likely domestic.
- The Long Game: If the goose is skittish, do not chase it. Return daily with corn or peas and sit quietly to build trust. This process can take days or weeks.
- Capture & Transport: Once you can get close enough to touch it, secure the body and wings firmly (like a football) or use a large net. Place in a dog crate for transport.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
CRITICAL: You must contact us before capturing the animal to ensure we have space available. We cannot guarantee intake without prior approval.
3 Palms Zoo REHAB
Rescue & Intake
Groundhog Triage
Aggressive if cornered. Observe first.
- Orphaned: Small babies wandering alone.
- Neurological: Circling/head tilt.
- Injured: Visible wounds.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Opossum Triage
Babies often fall off Mom during the night.
- 7-Inch Rule: Body >7 inches is independent.
- Orphaned: <7 inches needs help.
- Dead Mom: Check pouch for live young.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Wild Rabbit Triage
Rabbits are stress-sensitive. Excessive handling can be fatal.
- 4-Inch Rule: If >4 inches (tennis ball) with erect ears, leave it.
- Tic-Tac-Toe Test: Place yarn X over nest. If moved in 24hrs, Mom is visiting.
- Injured: Dog/Mower strike needs help.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Raccoon Triage
WARNING: High-risk Rabies Vector. Wear heavy gloves.
- Alone in Day: Likely orphaned if alone for hours.
- Laundry Basket Trick: Cover baby until nightfall. Check if Mom retrieves.
- Sick: Stumbling/tame behavior.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Joann REHAB
Kent County (Raccoons)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Skunk Triage
Poor eyesight; babies get lost easily.
- Line Walking: Babies follow mom single-file. Alone = lost.
- Stomping: Warning sign. Back away.
- Timing: If alone at dawn, needs help.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Squirrel Triage
Mothers will reclaim fallen young if warm.
- Approaching Humans: Starving juvenile.
- Felled Tree: Put in box near tree base. Wait for Mom.
- Independent: Fluffy tail + climbing.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
Toni Oddo REHAB
Sussex County (Mammals)
Tonyea Meade REHAB
Sussex County (Bats & Mammals)
Michaela Hirsch REHAB
Sussex County (Dagsboro area)
Turtle or Reptile Triage
Turtles must be released exactly where found.
- Cracked Shell: Keep clean/dry. NO WATER.
- Road Crossing: Move in direction heading.
- Sea Turtles: Report immediately.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Cathy Martin REHAB
Kent & New Castle (Mammals & Turtles)
Jean Taylor REHAB
New Castle County
MERR Institute REHAB
Sea Turtles, Terrapins, & Marine Mammals
Vickie Bowman REHAB
Sussex County (Bridgeville Area)
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
Turkey Triage
Tri-State Bird Rescue handles all native wild birds.
- Poult (Baby): Fuzzy/Downy? Mom is likely hiding nearby. Leave alone unless it is peeping constantly (lost).
- Juvenile: Fully feathered? It is part of a flock. Leave alone.
- Injured: Limping, wing dragging, or bleeding? Box it.
- Trapped: Stuck in a fence or net? Call immediately.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tri-State Bird Rescue REHAB
Native Wild Birds
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
Vulture Triage
Tri-State Bird Rescue handles all native wild birds.
- Nestling (Ground Nester): White/fluffy down? They nest on the ground/barns. Leave it alone unless in immediate danger.
- Fledgling: Fully dark feathers, hopping/walking. Parents are nearby. Leave alone.
- Injured: Drooping wing, bleeding, or unable to stand. Box it carefully.
- Vomiting: If it vomits on you, it's a defense mechanism. Back off.
- Oiled/Contaminated: Feathers look wet/greasy. DO NOT WASH. Call immediately.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tri-State Bird Rescue REHAB
Native Wild Birds
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
Vulture Triage
Tri-State Bird Rescue handles all native wild birds.
- Nestling (Ground Nester): White/fluffy down? They nest on the ground/barns. Leave it alone unless in immediate danger.
- Fledgling: Fully dark feathers, hopping/walking. Parents are nearby. Leave alone.
- Injured: Drooping wing, bleeding, or unable to stand. Box it carefully.
- Vomiting: If it vomits on you, it's a defense mechanism. Back off.
- Oiled/Contaminated: Feathers look wet/greasy. DO NOT WASH. Call immediately.
Who to Call
⏳
Please Be PatientMost listed contacts are independent volunteers with full-time jobs. If they don't answer immediately, they may be at work or feeding animals. Please leave a detailed message or text, and wait for a reply before calling the next number.
Tri-State Bird Rescue REHAB
Native Wild Birds
Sandi Smith ADVISOR ONLY
Coastal Bays / Ocean City (Coastal Birds & Reptiles)
443-783-5293443-783-5293
⚠️ We Are Not a Rehab Facility
Please DO NOT bring injured or wild animals to the zoo. 3 Palms Zoo generally only accepts captive-raised wildlife. Please use the guide above to get the correct safety instructions and contact information for a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
This free resource is maintained by 3 Palms Zoo. Help us care for our permanent sanctuary residents.
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