Every year, PETA receives numerous requests from all over the country from caring people who have found injured or orphaned wildlife and are looking for a place to take them for care. We are glad to know that there are people willing to help these animals, because there is certainly a need for it!

Unfortunately, well-meaning people with the best of intentions often “rescue” young animals when, in fact, these baby birds and mammals are perfectly fine and their parents are probably foraging for food nearby. In most cases, young wild animals should be left alone. However, when in doubt, please use these guidelines as to how you can best determine whether a young animal needs help and, if so, what to do.