(714) 374-5587
21900 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
If you have found an animal you believe is in need of help, please select one of the following options to learn more about next steps. If the animal you found is in need of immediate, life-saving care, please call the above number.
I Found an Injured Bird

I Found an Injured Bird

Before you approach a bird, ensure it is safe to do so. Some birds have dangerous beaks (pelicans, cormorants, & gulls), while others have talons (hawks & falcons). If you do not feel safe picking the animal up yourself, please flag down a lifeguard or call your local animal control or harbor patrol for assistance.

If you choose to take responsibility for the bird, throw a large sheet or a box over the creature. If possible, wear gloves and goggles when handling a wild animal. If the bird is an adult, consider how you will transport a large, struggling animal. 

If you have found a hummingbird, please see ifoundahummingbird.com

When you contact us, the more information you can give us, the easier treating the bird will be.
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I Found a Baby Bird

I Found a Baby Bird

If you have found a hummingbird, please see ifoundahummingbird.com. For all other birds, read on.

Baby Birds or Nestlings
Baby birds or nestlings have few feathers, get cold fast, and must eat every 20 minutes to stay alive. To best help a baby bird/nestling, there are a few steps you can take.

First: If you find a baby bird, get the baby warm. Wrap it loosely in a tissue. You want it secure but still able to breathe. Check for wounds, broken bones, blood or bruises. If the bird is alert, warm or gaping for food, it is likely not injured. However, a bird taken from a cat is likely to be injured, even if it isn't bleeding. 

Second: Return an uninjured bird to the nest if you can see one. The mother will not reject the baby, nor smell a human scent. This is a myth. Birds do not have a keen sense of smell and the best place for that baby is back in its nest. Keep an eye out for nearby cats.

Third: If you can't find a nest or the mother, the baby is an orphan. A baby that is bloody, bruised, cold or not gaping for food is most likely injured. In either case, do not try to feed the baby. Put the baby in a small box with air holes and bring the bird to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center.


Juvenile Birds or Fledglings
Juvenile birds or fledglings are usually fully feathered or have tufts of down. They are active and appear able to fly but can't get enough vertical height to avoid predators or return to their home. Most birds of this age are fine on their own with very little intervention! However, here are some steps to follow in case there are predators nearby or the area is otherwise unsafe for the little one.

First: If you find a fledgling, the nest is probably nearby. If the bird is alert, mobile, hard to catch and has no apparent injuries, look for the nest and put it back if possible. If there isn't a nest within reach or you can't see one, fashion a makeshift nest out of a small margarine tub and a crumpled paper towel. Secure it in a nearby tree or high bush; the parents will come back after all threats (you, children, pets) are gone. Monitor the nest to verify that the parents are again feeding the bird, but remember to give them several hours to return.

Second: If there are no signs of the parents, keep the fledgling in a box (remember the air holes!) and bring it immediately to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Special Note: Fledgling crows have blue eyes and are commonly seen on the ground. They hop around, and you usually do not need to intervene on their behalf. Their parents are typically nearby, and they will spend several weeks on the ground until they are ready to go.
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I Found a Mammal

I Found a Mammal

At times, a severely injured or starving creature will quietly allow you to pick it up and carry it to safety, but rescuing large wildlife adds an element of danger. If you should discover an injured or orphaned mammal, such as a raccoon, squirrel, opossum or coyote, please call your local police or animal control office for pickup. For smaller or younger mammals, you may be able to pick them up yourself, but please place your own safety first.

Be careful. All animals can carry diseases, and many are more than happy to give you a nasty bite as a reward for your rescue efforts.

For injured mammals, we recommend that you flag down a park ranger, alert law enforcement, or call the Wildlife Center. If you choose to take responsibility for the animal, throw a large sheet or a box over the creature. If possible, wear gloves and goggles when handling a wild animal. Consider how you will transport a struggling animal.
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Animals We Are Unable To Accept

Animals we are unable to accept

-Bats
-Skunks
-European Starlings
-Most Pigeons
-American Crow
-Ravens
-Barnyard Animals (livestock/chickens)
-House Sparrows
-Domestic Rabbits
-Domestic Ducks
-Dogs/Cats
-Adult Coyotes
-Red eared sliders(non-native turtles)
-Rats
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How to Get Our Help

How To get our help

If you have determined the animal you found is in need of our help, please call us at (714) 374-5587. We are open from 8 am - 5 pm every day (including holidays). If nobody answers your call, please try again in a few minutes. Our intake desk is manned by volunteers, and they answer as many calls as they can. If you call after-hours, you may leave a message, but we may not be able to respond until sometime the next morning.

If you need to hold the animal overnight, follow these instructions:
  • Find a box or large container. Place a folded towel at the bottom. Place a pillow case over the towel(optional).
  • Make sure air can get inside the container. If needed poke holes in the box.
  • Set the animal in the box and set aside to a warm & dark area.
  • DO NOT feed the animal. 
  • Leave the animal alone until you transport the container to the wildlife center.​
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