Shasta Wildlife

If you care leave them there!

Shasta Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. cannot take possession of Bears, Mountain Lions, or adult Deer.

Who to contact for assistance: 

ahnow.org/resources.php for general assistance and referrals California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 530-225-2300 or askregionl@wildlife.ca.gov

If you Find a Baby Mammal (bunny, fawn, etc.)

If you find a baby mammal (bunny and fawn are common) seemingly alone, please leave it there (or put it back). Mom leaves them alone for much of the day and will return.

Baby Mammal Flowchart

If you care, leave them there.

If You Accidently Damage or Destroy A Bird or Squirrel Nest

If you unwittingly destroy a bird or squirrel nest, put the babies in a box and affix the box in a nearby tree using a bungie or rope. Once the parents determine it is safe for them to approach their babies, they will. Squirrels will gather their babies and take them to a secondary nest. Song birds will feed the babies while they finish growing up in the box. Baby owls and hawks will exit the box and climb the tree to reunite with their parents or the parents will care for them in the box.

Baby Squirrel Flowchart

“I Found a Baby Bird” flier.

If you care, leave them there.

If you Find a Baby Heron

If you find a baby heron alone but in a safe area, leave them there. Herons are not known for their nest construction abilities and as a result, their nests commonly fail, leaving the baby on the ground. Mom will likely return and care for the baby while she “rebuilds” her inept nest.

If you care, leave them there.

If you find a fully-feathered bird

If you find a fully feathered little bird hopping on the ground, please leave it alone and take a picture of it and contact Raven at 530-355-8473 so the bird can be assessed over the phone. Some birds fledge from the nest and spend time on the ground, but many birds do not. We need to see the species to determine if the behavior is normal or not.

“I Found a Baby Bird” flier

If you care, leave them there.

How Can You Help?

If you are unsure about what to do, taking a picture/video of the animal will help us assess when we call you back.

If you are certain that the animal is orphaned or is injured, check out our find a critter page for further instruction.

Please keep in mind that we volunteers are passionate about what we do but, just like much of the community, we are facing major financial difficulties. Please make every effort to transport only the animals in true need of rescue and (if at all possible) consider donating monetarily and/or items such as toilet paper (we use for nest-making), paper towels, nuts, or other items from our wish list.

Shasta Wildlife Wish List