Ask Fish & Wildlife: What do I do if I find injured wildlife?
ASK DFW
What do I do if I find injured wildlife?
Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. For a list of wildlife rehabilitators by county, see the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Rehabilitation website at
wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/rehabilitation. All native wild birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are protected by state rules and laws. Anyone wishing to possess injured native wildlife and/or to practice wildlife rehabilitation is required to obtain a permit from the department. A wildlife rehabilitator permit authorizes a person to temporarily possess injured, diseased, oiled or abandoned wildlife for the purpose of wild release. Individuals must meet several requirements to obtain this permit.
Another option is to contact your regional WDFW office or the Wildlife Program at 360-902-2515.
Information for this feature comes from
wdfw.wa.gov/help.
