Fallen from nest - If the baby appears injured, please call the Hawkline and bring it in. If it does not appear injured, take a picture, then call the Hawkline. They will have you text the picture and give further advice on reuniting the baby with the mother if possible.

Whole nest of babies fell down - Take a picture and call the Hawkline. We will give further instructions on reuniting the family. Mother squirrels often have a backup nest, and if the babies are young enough, she may be able to take them to a new nest site.

Following humans, climbing on humans, trying to get indoors - This is the behavior of a desperate orphaned squirrel. Please call the Hawkline and bring in the animal.

Caught by cat or dog - Cat or dog-caught animals must come in for care and antibiotics even if they appear uninjured.

Squirrels are the most common babies that people try to illegally raise for pets. They are illegal as pets partially because when older they can be dangerous. Please bring us any orphaned baby squirrels as soon as possible so we can give them their best chance at a free, wild life.

Babies stuck in deceased mother’s pouch - If you see a dead opossum, check to see if it is female and still has young in her pouch. If she does, bring the dead mother with the babies still in the pouch to our clinic. Do not attempt to remove the babies.

Orphaned - If the opossum is less than 7 inches long from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and it is without its mother, bring it to our clinic.

Hit by car - If you can safely rescue the opossum, bring it to our clinic.

Stuck under house - If the animal is injured, sick or orphaned, call the Hawkline for rescue assistance. If the opossum is healthy, discourage it from living under your house. It is illegal to trap and relocate “nuisance” wildlife. Remove all outdoor dog and cat food and keep trash cans securely covered before sunset to prevent attracting animals to your yard. To keep animals out of your attic/subfloor, identify any openings and cover them with hardware cloth.

Caught by cat or dog - Cat or dog-caught animals must come in for care and antibiotics even if they appear uninjured.

Any opossum that is lethargic and approachable in the daytime may also be in trouble.

Orphaned - If you find a nest of baby raccoons, leave it alone. The mother is often nearby.  It is illegal to trap and relocate nuisance wildlife. Avoid hiring trappers to catch and euthanize raccoons during their baby season (April-September). Instead hire a wildlife exclusion service to help you determine if a raccoon family is involved and how best to humanely evict them.

If the mother has already been trapped and killed, and the babies still have closed eyes, put on gloves, gently place babies in a box with a soft towel, and call our Hawkline at 707-224-4295. If the babies have eyes open and teeth,  call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.

Hit by car or attacked by dog - Do not attempt to rescue juvenile or adult raccoons yourself. Call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.

Stuck in subfloor or attic - Call the Hawkline for rescue assistance

Distemper - Signs of distemper: disorientation, tremors, jaw spasms, seizures, circling, eye and/or nasal discharge, eyes and/or nose crusted shut. Call the Hawkline if an animal has any combination of these signs. Keep all pets (especially dogs) away from the animal. Distemper can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact with bodily fluids. If you are concerned about your dog contracting distemper, call your veterinarian.

Fawn found alone - A fawn (baby deer) may be curled upon the ground and appears approachable. The mother is likely nearby and watching you. If you have watched all day and are still concerned, take a photo of the fawn, including ears, and its surroundings, then call 707-224-4295. Call the Hawkline, they will have you text them the picture, and they can give you a better idea if the fawn is in trouble.

Fawn wandering alone and vocalizing - A spotted fawn that is wandering around alone and crying out needs help. Call 707-224-4295 for rescue assistance.

We can only help fawns that have spots. If you need assistance with a deer that does not have spots, please call Animal Control at (707) 253-4452.

Appears orphaned - Jackrabbits have a nest that is a shallow dugout on the ground. If you find a nest, leave it alone. A quiet, small rabbit alone is normal. If you watch the rabbit all day and do not see the mother, call the Hawkline for advice.

Caught by cat or dog - Cat or dog-caught animals must come in for care and antibiotics even if it appears uninjured.

Fox kits found alone - It is common to see fox kits playing outside their den site during the day. The parent may be asleep in the den. If they are active and retreat into the den if approached this is normal behavior. If they are lethargic, look skinny, or are covered in fleas or lice, they are orphaned and need assistance.  A solo pup or kit wandering during the day is also unusual. Call the Hawkline for rescue help.

Distemper - Signs of distemper: disorientation, tremors, jaw spasms, seizures, circling, eye and/or nasal discharge, eyes and/or nose crusted shut. Call the Hawkline if an animal has any combination of these signs. Keep all pets (especially dogs) away from the animal. Distemper can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact with bodily fluids. If you are concerned about your dog contracting distemper, call your veterinarian.

Do not attempt to rescue foxes on your own. Please call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.

Pups found alone - It is common to see coyote pups playing outside their den site during the day. The parent may be asleep in the den. If they are active and retreat into the den if approached this is normal behavior. If they are lethargic, look skinny, or are covered in fleas or lice, they are orphaned and need assistance.  A solo pup wandering during the day is also unusual. Call the Hawkline for rescue help.

Distemper - Signs of distemper: disorientation, tremors, jaw spasms, seizures, circling, eye and/or nasal discharge, eyes and/or nose crusted shut. Call the Hawkline if an animal has any combination of these signs. Keep all pets (especially dogs) away from the animal. Distemper can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact with bodily fluids. If you are concerned about your dog contracting distemper, call your veterinarian.

Hit by car - Do not attempt to rescue juvenile or adult raccoons yourself. Call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.

Do not attempt to rescue coyotes on your own. Please call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.

Skunk babies found alone - Skunk babies sometimes play around their den site during the day while the mother sleeps. The mother will lead them around to practice foraging when they are older. A solo skunk baby out in the day, away from any potential den site may need assistance. If a dead skunk is seen on the road, and suddenly babies emerge, please call our Hawkline for further advice. We are also available to help with skunk rescues. Skunks can spray before they can open their eyes. Moving slowly with a towel in front of you is the best way to avoid being sprayed.

Distemper - Signs of distemper: disorientation, tremors, jaw spasms, seizures, circling, eye and/or nasal discharge, eyes and/or nose crusted shut. Call the Hawkline if an animal has any combination of these signs. Keep all pets (especially dogs) away from the animal. Distemper can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact with bodily fluids. If you are concerned about your dog contracting distemper, call your veterinarian.

NEVER TOUCH A BAT WITH BARE HANDS! Bats are the most common rabies vector in California. We use special safety precautions to protect ourselves when working with bats. We are happy to assist with rescuing a bat from your home.

If the bat bit a human, was caught by your cat or dog, or the bat was found in a room with an elderly, disabled, or sleeping person, or a child, please call Animal Control at (707) 253-4452. The bat will need to be tested for rabies for human and pet safety.

Orphaned - All bats in Napa are small. Baby bats are extra wrinkly and have very little fur. A baby bat on the ground needs help. If you find a bat on the ground or in a room that has not been occupied, or you saw it come in and have known where it was the whole time, please call the Hawkline for rescue assistance.