There are several important reasons why we advise against giving food, water or formula to wildlife you have rescued: 

Risks of Feeding & Watering

• Aspiration: Improperly given food or water can enter the lungs, leading to pneumonia or death, especially in young or weak animals. Rehabilitators use specialized feeding tools and techniques to minimize the potential for this to happen. Sadly, every year we have animals brought to us by well-meaning finders who have attempted to feed the babies they find, and we are unable to save them because fluids have gotten into their lungs resulting in fatal pneumonia.

• Metabolic issues: Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal condition where the body, weakened by starvation, can't handle food or fluids, causing severe metabolic issues and death. Rehabilitators often give subcutaneous fluids for a period before attempting to orally feed a dehydrated/malnourished animal. 

• Hypothermia: Babies are unable to regulate their own temperature. If they are away from the heat their mothers provide, they are often hypothermic (low body temperature). When cold, their gastrointestinal tract shuts down. Feeding them before thoroughly warming them can cause serious issues or death.

• Wrong diet: Babies need precise species-specific formulas and feeding methods. Human foods or pet foods lack specific nutrients, causing malnutrition or illness. Feeding the wrong food often leads to diarrhea that puts them at further risk.

The best action is to keep the animal warm, quiet, in a secure container, and contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately, not attempting to feed or hydrate the animal yourself.

This is a widespread myth. Touching baby animals will not cause mothers to reject their young. This does not mean that you should unnecessarily handle or interact with wild animal babies. It’s important to know when to intervene and when to leave them alone.

Yes — when we have the volunteer resources to do so. We often work with adult opossums, raccoons, bunnies and squirels throughout the year. Common issues include injuries from vehicles, frostbite, illnesses including suspected distemper, mange and domestic animal attacks.

Especially in the busy baby season, some rehabbers are forced to make the agonizing decision to "close" for specific species due to limited human resources and space. It can be incredibly frustrating.

Many of these organizations, including WWC, are run by volunteers with jobs, families and finite resources, room and hours in a day. 

We would love to help you explore how you could become involved or help support Wisconsin’s wildlife in the future — they need all the help they can get! Visit our Volunteer page if you’re interested in becoming involved.

Euthanasia is the act of humanely inducing death in an animal with minimal pain and distress (AVMA 2013). When an animal is greatly suffering, or they have little or no chance of surviving if released back into the wild by their rehabilitator, euthanasia is considered, with a focus on the animal’s best interest. This is part of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) Code of Ethics.

If you believe an animal is suffering and in need of euthanasia, you should immediately consult a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or emergency veterinary clinic. Never try to euthanize an animal on your own in an attempt to “put them out of their misery.” 

Learn more about wild animal euthanasia and ethics in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin.

Wisconsin State law prohibits the rehabilitation of skunks, primarily because they are a rabies-vector species in Wisconsin. If you encounter baby skunks, it is best to leave them alone! Mother skunks are usually nearby, and the Wisconsin DNR advises against picking them up to protect the kits and yourself. If you have specific questions, you can contact Wisconsin WildCare for recommendations on reuniting with the mother or addressing skunk you have in your possession.