Protocol for Dealing with Injured Wildlife

Elke Rudloff, DVM, DACVECC, clinical specialist and residency trauma supervisor at Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists, explains who should be contacted if someone comes across injured wildlife.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“We get calls for wildlife that have been injured. There are specific regulations that may vary statewide that indicate who can do what. In terms of veterinary care for wildlife, veterinarians are allowed to administer emergency care, but they’re not allowed to keep that wildlife, at least in Wisconsin, we can’t keep it in a hospital; it has to go to a rehabilitator that’s licensed to do that. If a person came upon an injured deer, the best they can do is to call the local police, who can then contact Animal Control, who can bring it to the proper facility to get it treated and many veterinary clinics are not equipped, experienced, or able to do that because of local laws. When it comes to wildlife, you should really call the police first to determine who can help.”