Report injured or orphaned wildlife

Injured wildlife — call 311

An Animal Control Officer can pick up an injured wild animal every day between 9 am and 5 pm.

Orphaned wildlife — bring it in

Orphaned wildlife is an animal such as a raccoon, opossum, squirrel, or rabbit that is too young to survive on its own and has been abandoned by its mother for 24 hours or more.

Please contact a wildlife rehabber before moving or handling the orphaned wildlife, and do not bring it to SBARC without making a report first. Reports can be made to 311. An officer will follow up with next steps.

To bring one in, call 311 Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, or 574-235-9303 on weekends, 9 am – 5 pm. For after-hours concerns, reach out to Indiana DNR or a local wildlife rehabilitator.

Healthy wildlife — leave it be

SBARC does not remove healthy wild animals from any property. It's common to see baby wild animals outside during spring, as a new generation makes its way into the world. They might seem like they need our help, but unless the animal is truly orphaned or injured, there is no need to rescue them.

Rabbits at least four inches long with open eyes and erect ears who hop well are independent from their mother and should be allowed to fend for themselves. Uninjured baby rabbits in an intact nest should also be left alone — although they might look abandoned because their mom isn't around, mother rabbits visit their dependent young only a few times a day to avoid attracting predators.

If the nest has been disturbed, lightly cover it with natural materials you find around the nest, like grass, fur, or leaves, and follow these steps:

You may see a raccoon out during daylight hours. This is normal for raccoons and not a cause for concern. SBARC does not remove healthy raccoons from any property or garbage receptacle. If you have a raccoon stuck in your garbage can, tip the can over. If a raccoon is sick or injured, SBARC will respond during normal business hours.

A sick raccoon appears disoriented or lethargic. It may walk in circles, stumble as it walks, have paralysis in its hind legs, or be seizing or foaming at the mouth. Call 311 during business hours if you notice this. If you see a raccoon like this after hours, you'll have to wait until the following day to make a report.

Why a raccoon might be out in the day

• It has found a food source that's available at that time of day.
• It was frightened out of its den by a person or a dog and moved to another home in the area.
• A mother nursing a litter during the spring and summer birthing season may have to forage during daylight hours.

Report the bite — that's what starts the rabies check. Wild animals can be tested for rabies: an officer can pick the animal up or you can bring it in, and SBARC sends a specimen to the Indiana State Department of Health. Results usually come back within a few days.