I found an injured or orphaned animal. What should I do?

**Please do not bring injured or orphaned animals to the Darien Nature Center.**

The Darien Nature Center does not take injured animals. We do not have the required state license. Please contact one of the local certified rescue and rehabilitation professionals listed below or click on the DEEP link for valuable information.


https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Rehabilitator/Dealing-with-Distressed-Wildlife


Local Rehabilitators


Wildlife in Crisis (Weston):


Tailors Wildlife Rescue Group (Stamford):

  • Contact PJ Conrad 203-655-8647 (text or call)
  • Small mammals only 
  • TailorsWildlife@gmail.com
  • tailorswildlife.com


Christine Peyreigne (Weston):


If you find an animal in distress...

Step 1: Learn!

Before approaching or handling wild animals, check out this article  from the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection about best practices when dealing with distressed creatures.

Step 2: See if there is anything YOU can do to help

In some cases, you can help an animal without calling a rehabilitator. Here are some examples with squirrels and rabbits. Remember to always wear protective gloves when handling wild animals.


Squirrels – Occasionally young squirrels fall from their nest onto the ground. Try reuniting them with their family by placing them in a basket and hanging it securely in the original nesting tree. If they are not retrieved within 24 hours, contact a rehabilitator.


Rabbits – Young rabbits leave the nest to eat on their own within 3-4 weeks even though they are very small. If their eyes are open and they are eating solid foods they are not orphans! Leave them be!


Rabbits - If a nest of rabbits is disturbed, place the young rabbits back in the nest, cover them with leaf litter and place a tic-tac-toe shaped grid of string over the nest. Check it 12 -24 hours later. If the female rabbit returned to feed her young, the leaf litter and string will be shifted. If she does not return, contact a rehabilitator.

Step 3: Contact a Rehabilitator

We have included a collection of trusted local rehabilitators who can help you! Good luck!

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