help for wildlife

If you can’t reach a wildlife rehabilitator immediately, leave a message. We all have a lot of animals to care for, and most of us work full time jobs, but check messages constantly. If you have a wildlife emergency, you may have to reach out to rehabilitators outside of your immediate area. Though we wish we could assist with domestic animals, we do not have the facilities or the funds to do so. Stray dogs and cats are not considered wildlife, and puppies and kittens constantly bring disease which the wildlife have no defense against. We care very much about all animals but must protect our purpose to maintain a healthy environment for the wild ones. Please contact an appropriate shelter or rescue.

We ask that non emergencies be handled by email to cut down on the constant interruptions by the phone - info@arkofva.net

Most indigenous wildlife can be brought to a rehabilitator for care once you have contacted us by phone. Wildlife rehabilitators specialize in different species of wildlife, so please contact a rehabilitator listed for the species you require assistance with. We ask that rescuers transport the animals to us.  (If we have to pick up the animal, it takes away the time needed for the ones in our care). 

If you have found an infant mammal, bird or fawn, find a way to keep the animal calm and warm. Handling a wild animal creates stress. Use a small box, container or pet carrier with appropriate bedding, (nothing that will snag) on a heat source on low or under indirect light. Please do not let small children or pets have contact with the animal. It can spread germs and parasites both ways. Do not give milk, formula or water to an animal unless you know what you are doing. Giving improper milk or feeding anything to an animal who is not in stable physical condition to digest it (cold, stressed, dehydrated) can be fatal. Help us do our job properly by not creating a worse situation for the animal.

Injured adult wildlife can be contained easily with instruction and brought to us for care. Call for capture advice.

Nuisance wildlife are wild animals who have encroached into human habit and are unwelcome. We DO NOT handle nuisance wildlife situations though we can recommend a few that will not harm the animals. If you have raised a wild animal and have imprinted it to the point that it is ready to release but are concerned because it is too friendly or freely interacts with domestic animals, we may not be able to help you. Our policy is to only take wildlife that can be integrated into our wild groups and released completely reclusive. An imprinted animal will lead our animals into trouble upon release. In order for us to do our job properly and raise wildlife to survive with every advantage possible, you must contact us when the animal is found. It is illegal to do otherwise in Virginia, and can be dangerous not only to our animals, but to the public and the wildlife rehabilitator. All wild animals can be dangerous, but there is no wild animal more dangerous than one who does not fear people. Sadly,  the humans imprinted animals  seek upon release pose the most danger to them.

Finally, wildlife rehabilitation is one of the most expensive and least supported forms of animal rescue. Every year, tens of thousands of dollars of our funding is spent caring for animals that were injured or orphaned by a family dog or cat. These animals rarely come with donations, and we ask that pet owners whose animals hunt, consider providing funds for the would-be prey. For example, a fawn can cost more than $1,000 to raise, a baby raccoon around $500 and much less for a bird or rabbit. If every animal that was brought to us came with a donation, we would worry less about funding and focus on the animals in our care. Our goal is to continue to accept and care for as many wild animals as we can. Your financial support allows us to continue our mission. 

Thank you for your support!