Baby squirrels that are discovered when a tree is cut down can often be reunited with their mother once the area is quiet.

Keep the babies warm (a heating pad or rice sock) and DO NOT feed them! Once the area is quiet, you can set the babies where their tree was to see if their mother retrieves them. (Read more HERE.)

NEVER leave a baby outside overnight;

Baby squirrels that are crying, approaching people, or are cold, dehydrated, or have flies on them, or have been in a cat or dog’s mouth, or are injured need to be admitted to rehab ASAP.

Please note: Wild rabbits are extremely delicate. They stress easily and should never be handled unless absolutely necessary.

Mother rabbits make their nests in carefully camouflaged shallow depressions in the ground. The mother rabbit only returns once a day to feed her babies, so people often assume the babies have been abandoned.

If the babies are warm to the touch, and have round, plump bellies, they are being cared by their mother and do not need help. (Read more HERE).

House cats that are allowed outside will kill about every other time they go out. Unlike feral cats who hunt because they are hungry, and kill immediately, house cats maul and torment their prey, sometimes skinning baby bunnies alive.

Baby rabbits that are cold, dehydrated, have flies on them, or have been in a cat or dog’s mouth, or are injured need to be admitted to rehab ASAP

We network with other rehabbers and facilities throughout the state. The Chattanooga Zoo helps with intakes and we recommend contacting them about other animals in need of help. Click below for more resources about other species.