Wildlife Rehabilitation Resources and Directory
Wildlife rehabilitation is a licensed activity in Wisconsin and is defined as providing temporary care to an injured, orphaned, or ill wild animal to release it back into its environment.
You can help reserve space for wild animals truly in need by always calling a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before assuming a wild animal needs help. In some cases, wildlife rehabilitators may temporarily modify how they can assist injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife to protect human and wildlife health and safety.
Wildlife Rehab Directory
The blue counties on the map represent locations of licensed wildlife rehabilitators. View the county name in the table below for a list of wildlife rehabilitators and their contact information.
Determine if a Wild Animal Needs Help
Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately if you have determined that a wild animal is sick, injured or truly orphaned. Never attempt to rehabilitate wildlife on your own. Wisconsin's licensed wildlife rehabilitators are specially trained to provide temporary care and treatment to wild animals to release them back into the wild.
Consult Keep Wildlife Wild for detailed resources to help determine if a wild animal is truly orphaned and choose an appropriate course of action. We have printable resources for some of the most frequently found animals, including birds, mammals and fawns.
Many young wild animal species spend most of their day without their mother, who may be away feeding or keeping her distance to protect her young.
Do not provide food or water; this can do more harm than good.
Rehab and SARS-CoV-2
Changes To Wildlife Rehabilitation Procedures
It remains a concern whether SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people can become established in wild animal populations. Beyond the potential threat to wildlife, this could also threaten human health should the virus become established in the wild and a reservoir.
To protect against the potential introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into wild animal populations in Wisconsin, the DNR has put in place temporary modifications to rehabilitation procedures to protect the health of Wisconsinites and wildlife.
There are increased biosecurity requirements for all bat, felid (bobcat), mustelid (weasel species, mink, fisher, otter), red fox and white-tailed deer rehabilitation this year, and space may be limited. This spring, call a licensed rehabilitator before handling any of these species.
For more information about SARS-CoV-2 in animals, visit USDA APHIS One Health – SARS-CoV-2 in Animals.
Bat Rehabilitation and SARS-COV-2
The rehabilitation of bat species requires increased biosecurity, and rehabilitation is allowed during the summer months.
Refer to the bat frequently asked questions for information on how to handle everyday bat situations.
White-Tailed Deer Rehabilitation and SARS-COV-2
Currently, the rehabilitation of white-tailed deer requires increased biosecurity. Orphaned, sick or injured deer are recovered every year by the public and department staff and placed with licensed deer rehabilitators.
The CWD-affected counties and the deer rehabilitation policy are in effect to outline the desired procedures for the intake, release and marking of deer to address disease management issues and compliance with state and federal laws. Specific geographic guidance will be communicated by the department directly to all licensed rehabilitators in the state annually or more frequently if necessary.
HPAI
Due to concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in some species of wild birds, including raptors (especially bald eagles), shorebirds and waterfowl, licensed wildlife rehabilitators may have limits or restrictions on admitting bird species.
Refer to the wildlife rehabilitation directory to determine whether the licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you is accepting birds. If they are not, you can contact the DNR Wildlife Switchboard by emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or leaving a voicemail at 608-267-0866 for a return phone call.