Found a Wild Animal?
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator can help you assess the situation and determine whether intervention is needed.
Tacoma Humane Cannot Accept Wildlife
We care for domestic companion animals and are not licensed or equipped to accept wildlife.
Please take wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Always talk with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator first before picking up wildlife. Be sure to assess the situation and exercise caution.
PAWS Wildlife Center
Phone: 425-412-4040
Website: https://www.paws.org/wildlife/found-a-wild-animal/
West Sound Wildlife Shelter
Phone: 206-855-9057
Website: https://westsoundwildlife.org/
Raindancer Wild Bird Rescue
Phone: 360-970-5402
Website: http://www.raindancerwildbirdrescue.org/
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Phone: 425-775-1311
Website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/injured-wildlife/rehabilitation/find
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
Phone: 320-230-9920
Website: http://www.nwrawildlife.org
Safety Comes First
Do not handle bats, raccoons, coyotes, birds of prey, deer, or other wildlife without professional direction.
Wild animals may bite, scratch, carry disease, or become severely stressed during handling. Keep children and pets away.
For immediate danger to a person, call 911.
Common Situations
Baby Birds
A feathered young bird on the ground may be a fledgling learning to fly. Parents are often nearby and continue feeding it.
A naked or sparsely feathered nestling may need help returning to its nest if it can be done safely.
Baby Rabbits
Mother rabbits visit nests only briefly, often around dawn and dusk. A nest that appears unattended may still be active.
Young Deer
A fawn resting alone is not necessarily abandoned. Mothers commonly leave fawns hidden while feeding elsewhere.
Squirrels
Young squirrels may need help when they are cold, injured, covered in insects, or known to have lost their mother.
Bats
Do not touch a bat with bare hands. Contact public health or animal control when a bat has been inside a room with a sleeping person, child, or pet.
Injured Wildlife in the Road
Do not enter traffic or attempt to handle a large animal. Contact law enforcement or the appropriate local agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wildlife to Tacoma Humane?
No. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator first.
Should I give the animal food or water?
Not unless instructed by a wildlife professional.
Can I keep and care for the animal myself?
Wildlife care generally requires licensing, specialized knowledge, and species-specific facilities.
What if the animal appears orphaned?
Observe from a safe distance and contact a rehabilitator. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone for periods of time.
Who should I call about a wild animal inside my home?
Contact a licensed wildlife-control professional or the appropriate local agency. Avoid trapping the animal in a way that may injure it.