Frequently Asked Questions

• There’s a raccoon in my attic/barn/wall.  What do I do??

  
  If there is a raccoon in your attic, wall, barn etc. and it is springtime, SHE HAS BABIES.  For a long time you probably won’t see or hear them, but they are there and that is why she has chosen a site where she feels she can safely leave them while she goes out for food.  

  Please do not create orphans.  Raccoon mothers always maintain multiple den sites.  A nursing raccoon can be humanely encouraged to move her kits to one of her backup sites herself. In the spring, trapping an adult in your attic or barn and relocating her is not humane.  She will be thrown into hostile territory where she doesn’t know layout of the land. She will be frantic to be separated from the babies you may not have known she was nursing until a few days later when you hear them screaming. If they can be saved by then, those babies will have to be brought into care for several months, taking up resources that are in short supply and making fewer spots available for orphans that were created when a mother was hit by a car or otherwise killed.  

  We understand that sometimes this happens when a person unknowingly relocates a mother not realizing there were babies left behind, but please help us spread the word so that fewer orphans are created each year.  
  
  If an animal is not posing a direct threat to your health and safety, please consider researching more humane ways to encourage the mother to move the babies herself. Do not attempt to move entire families together yourself. This website gives valuable information on how to solve many “nuisance” wildlife issues.

• I saw a raccoon out in the daytime. Is there something wrong with it?

  Simply seeing a raccoon out during the daytime does not mean that the animal is sick. There are many normal reasons for a raccoon to be out and active during the day. It could be looking for food, or had its den disturbed. If it is acting normal and healthy it should be left alone to continue on its way. Warning signs that something is wrong would include if the animal is staggering, walking erratically, foaming at the mouth, falling over, or if it appears paralyzed. In these instances you should call an animal control officer. Never approach a wild animal or make it feel cornered.

• I found a baby animal by itself, what do I do?

  
  Leave it alone (unless it is obviously injured or in danger where it is), and call a rehabilitator for advice.  It may or may not be truly orphaned or in need of help. Here at Gordon Wildlife, we only take in raccoons.  If you find another species in trouble contact one of these organizations or ask us for a referral, we may know a colleague who can assist you: 
  

  NYS DEC

  Animal Help Now

• Does touching an animal make the mother reject it?

  No, but it could endanger you. Wildlife can carry parasites and diseases that are transmittable to humans. Under certain circumstances, some regulations require rehabilitators, health officials or law enforcement to euthanize an animal for no other reason than that humans have touched it with their bare hands. For the safety of both you and the animal, do not touch it. If you must move it into a box for its safety, pick it up with fabric such as a blanket, sheet or t-shirt, and wear gloves.

• I found an injured animal. What should I do?

  If it is safe to do so, place it in a cardboard box with either straw or a fleece blanket, and put it in a warm place. Call a rehabilitator. Wear gloves and use some sort of fabric barrier when you handle the animal.  Do not touch the animal with your bare hands and do not get bitten or scratched.  Depending on the species and age, the animal may require a heat source to survive, as many animals cannot generate or retain their own body heat when they are young.  Wrapping them in a blanket will not create heat.  Time is of the essence, so try to get professional advice as soon as possible.  

  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED THE ANIMAL. It’s natural to want to try to get it to eat, but this can actually result in harm or death if the animal is in shock or has other internal issues that may not be visible.  Babies require specialized formula.  For example, feeding things such as cow’s milk can harm or kill certain animals (unless they’re cows).  Keep the baby warm, dry and in a safe dark environment and contact a rehabilitator as soon as possible for advice on what to do next.

• I may have accidentally done something wrong that either caused the animal harm or may get me in some sort of trouble. What happens if I call you?

  Rehabilitators are not looking to point fingers or get anyone in trouble, they simply want to help the animal and make sure the public is safe. It is essential that you be honest when answering questions. All parties want to do the best that they can in a difficult situation. The more accurate information we have, the better able we are to provide a viable solution and give the animal the best possible chance of survival.

• I can’t reach a rehabilitator, it’s the middle of the night. What should I do?

  Keep the animal safe, warm, and dry until morning. Keep it in a dark and quiet location. Do not attempt to feed it and do not touch it with your bare hands.

• It’s the end of the season and every rehabber I have called is full. How do I get help?

  Please understand that in New York State, wildlife rehabilitation is not a “job”.  Even though we are required to be licensed through the state, all rehabbers are volunteers working in their own free time at their own expense.  They receive no funding or help from the state to pay for their work or for the supplies the animals need to survive. 

  The tragic reality is that not every rehabber can take every animal.  Dangerous overcrowding at facilities leads to disease outbreaks and is an unsafe environment in which to raise wildlife. There are many more animals in desperate need than there are people available to take them in.  Please be sympathetic when calling.  Rehabilitators are working out of love and compassion and they are often overextended and exhausted.  Trust us that they understand all too well how heartbreaking it is to be looking at an innocent animal in need and not be able to say “yes”.  
  

  Specifically, there is a dire shortage of rehabilitators licensed to work with raccoons.  We are hoping to encourage more rehabbers to get licensed through our internship programs, but in the meantime, if you have searched for a raccoon rehabilitator, and they are all at capacity, reach out to Raccoon 911 Facebook group for assistance.  They may know of resources or rehabilitators who are available beyond those that we know personally and may be able to help.

• What is the best way to reach you?

  Texting is usually the quickest way to reach us. If you are in the midst of an active animal situation, including pictures along with your message will be extremely helpful. See our contact page for details. You may also call, email, or use our submission form.

• What can I do to help at your facility?

  Thanks for your interest!! Please see our volunteer page for ways that you can help.

• How do I become a wildlife rehabilitator?

  In New York, anyone aged 16 and older can take the test and apply to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Working with raccoons requires a bit more additional training. Please see the DEC website for more information: Qualifications and process