Found Animal
The wildlife hospital is open 9:00am – 4:30pm every day of the week. If it is outside of business hours, please leave animals in the Drop Off Boxes and fill out the paperwork in the mailbox. The Drop Off Boxes are monitored by staff outside of business hours and are out of the weather, predator proof, and away from stressors like people and pets.
If you have found an animal, click the corresponding button for handling instructions.Â
Species Specific Information
Baby bunnies are frequently kidnapped because mom only visits the nest twice a day to feed them and the rest of the time they are alone. If you are unsure whether the rabbits are truly orphaned, please refer to the flowchart below.
A baby animals best chance is to be reunited with it’s family. If you see blood, it is covered in bugs, or it has been in a cat or dog’s mouth, it needs to come to the wildlife hospital.
Squirrel – If it appears healthy, you can attempt to reunite it with it’s family before bringing it to the hospital. If you cannot reunite the squirrel with its family, please transport to the wildlife hospital in a small, secure box with air holes. You can use the baby squirrel sounds video below to help attract the parents back o the baby squirrel.
Opossum – If it is larger than a dollar bill (without the tail) it is old enough to be on its own. If it is smaller or not running away from you, please transport to the wildlife hospital in a small, secure box with air holes.
Rabies vector species are mammals that are more at risk for carrying the rabies virus (at ANY age, even babies). In Brevard County, this includes bats, otters, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Please call BCSO Animal Services at (321) 633-2024, option 1. Any accidental exposure to rabies means certain death for the animal and possible expensive treatments for you. Do NOT attempt to transport a rabies vector species yourself.
Use heavy duty gloves such as welding gloves and transport in a box (plastic or cardboard) with a lid and air holes. If you have any questions about how to safely retrieve the animal, call our front desk at (321) 254-8843 or your nearest rehabilitator.
If the bird has blood on it, bugs on it, or it has been in a cat or a dog’s mouth, please transport it to the wildlife hospital in a small, secure box with air holes. If it is a fledgling and you want to reunite it with its parents, you can use the baby bird sound videos linked below.
Use caution. Birds with long pointed beaks can stab and can cause serious injury. Birds with talons (owls, hawks, etc.) can cause serious injury. Gloves and eye protection are highly recommended. To transport, loosely cover the bird with a towel or sheet and place in a box or bin with air holes that can be securely closed. Pelagic birds like pelicans and gannets should not be held with their beak shut as their nares (nostrils) are permanently closed and this can make it difficult for them to breathe.
If you find a turtle or tortoise in the road, please assist it across the road in the direction it is heading. If it is not sick or injured, it does not need to come to the hospital.
To transport, lift gently by grabbing the middle of the shell and put in a box for transport. If it is a softshell or snapping turtle use extra caution as these turtles have long necks that can reach back and bite. If possible use an object to push them into the box or at least have heavy gloves. All turtles and tortoises have claws that can scratch.
Do not attempt to approach or handle any venomous snake! To transport non-venomous snakes, put in an old pillow case and close with a rubber band or knot. Then place in a box with air holes or no lid.
