In New Jersey, Wildlife Rehabilitators are the trained professionals qualified to care for injured or orphaned wildlife.

Before Taking Action

Not all animals need help. Before you call a rehabilitator, take a moment to carefully review the information linked below. You might find that the animal does not need to be rescued.

Many times, “orphaned” wildlife are not actually abandoned. Well-meaning individuals may inadvertently harm these animals by removing them before their mother has a chance to return. This can have fatal consequences, as the mother is usually the young animal’s best chance for survival.

 Help Injured or Orphaned Wildlife

To find information on a variety of species, on how to determine if the animal genuinely needs help (often baby deer and cottontail rabbits do NOT need help) and how to keep the animal safe and comfortable until they can be transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, we turn to Wild Baby Rescue Center. Please visit this link for information on whether an animal needs to be rescued.

• For more information on wildlife issues (what to do if you find a baby rabbit, how to help turtles in the road, etc.), click here.
• Found a baby deer? Click here to help determine if that baby needs help or not.

In an emergency, the best thing to do is to keep the animal in a warm, quiet place. You can place the animal on a blanket over a heating pad (on LOW, so as not to overheat the animal). Do NOT force any liquid down the throats of any animal (bird or mammal). They could drown or become very sick. Contact a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately.

New Jersey wildlife rehabilitators are trained and qualified to care for injured or orphaned wildlife. Our regular rehabilitator page (here) provides life-saving tips on what to do if you have found injured or orphaned wildlife.

NOTE: If you have found a bird, please use this guide to determine what to do.

Atlantic County

Peggy & Suzanne Fenton, Wildlife Aid, 155 Asbury Rd., Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234, 609-927-0538 (Open to take in wildlife.) Mammals: Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), minks, skunks, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes.

Burlington County

Lori Swanson, Michael O’Malley, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 6 Sawmill Rd., Medford, NJ 08055, 856-983-3329 (Still taking in wildlife. Hospital open 24 hours a day.) Mammals: Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), minks, skunks, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, deer. Birds: Raptors, seabirds, waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, gulls, terns, skimmers, passerines, aerial insectivores, upland gamebirds.

Cumberland County

Vicki Schmidt, Fortescue, NJ 08321 856-207-7026 Birds: Waterfowl only (ducks, geese, swans, seaducks).

Gloucester County

Angelique Gillespie, South Jersey Wildlife Rehabilitation, Barnsboro, NJ 08080 856-217-5957 Mammals: Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), minks, skunks, rabbits, opossums, raccoons. Birds: Waterfowl only (ducks, geese, swans, seaducks).

Mercer County

Hannah Suthers, Songbirds at Home, 4 View Point Dr., Hopewell, NJ 08525-2112, 609-466-1871 Birds: Passerines, aerial insectivores, upland gamebirds.

Monmouth County

Melissa Jacobs, 71 Lincoln Ave., Neptune City, NJ 07753, 732-775-5157 (Please call ahead.) Mammals: Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), minks, skunks, rabbits, opossums, raccoons.

Karen Cooper, Cooper’s Fox Den, Manalapan, NJ 07726 732-598-5517
Mammals: Foxes only

Morris County

Christopher Soucy, The Raptor Trust, 1390 White Bridge Rd., Millington, NJ 07946, 908-647-2353 (NOTE: Bird intake is 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM seven days a week. The lobby is locked. No after hours drop-off. Please call 908-647-2353 Ext. 1 if you have a bird and if no one picks up, please text 908-581-8896. Go online here to fill out an intake form. Please do NOT show up after 4:30 PM and do not go unannounced. This is the winter schedule.

Birds: Raptors, waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, gulls, terns, skimmers, passerines, aerial insectivores, upland game birds. The Raptor Trust will help you in identifying a bird by texting a photo to 908-581-8896.

NOTE: We do not recommend taking baby starlings or English (house) sparrows to The Raptor Trust as we’ve been told by The Raptor Trust they will be humanely euthanized as invasive species. Baby sparrows & starlings can be legally rehabbed by knowledgeable laypersons who adhere to specific instructions. To determine if you have a sparrow or starling, view this guide. 

Passaic County

Nancy Warner, 973-506-4353 Mammals: Rodents (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.), minks, skunks, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes.

Sussex County

Giselle Chazotte-Smisko, Avian Wildlife Center, 146 Neilson Rd., Wantage, NJ 07461, 973-702-1957 Birds: Raptors, waterfowl, waders, gulls, terns, skimmers, passerines, aerial insectivores, upland game birds.

Additional Help:

Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, 754 Franklin Ave, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. If you have found an injured or orphaned wild animal, PLEASE CALL (201-848-1991) before bringing in wildlife. Ask to speak to one of the wildlife team members. We will advise you on your next step in helping this injured or orphaned animal.

Associated Humane Societies, Tinton Falls branch, 2960 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753, 732-922-0100. (Will help Monmouth County birds through their town's Animal Control Officer.)