Wildlife rescue

At the Animal Humane Society, every animal has a name, domestic or wild. Together, with Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, we accept and treat injured and orphaned wildlife at our Golden Valley facility. We are the only animal welfare organization in Minnesota to hold a permit with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which allows us to have specially trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators from both organizations on staff. These technicians provide care and comfort to injured and orphaned wildlife.

Helping wildlife

Follow these simple steps below when you come across wildlife that may need assistance:

1. Review our Wildlilfe rescue library located in the sidebar on the left of this page or call our Wildlife Hotline at (763) 522-4325. It can be accessed 24 hours a day and will provide you with the next steps to take in most situations. During business hours, ask the receptionist to be transferred to the hotline; after hours, simply press 9 when your call is answered by our automated phone system.
   • Ext. 212—Raccoons
   • Ext. 238—Squirrels, woodchucks and opossums
   • Ext. 239—Deer
   • Ext. 223—Minnesota bats
   • Ext. 240—Rabbits
   • Ext. 227—Red and gray fox
   • Ext. 241—Birds
   • Ext. 242—Snakes, turtles and frogs (including lizards, salamanders and toads)
   • Ext. 236—Preventative measures to reduce wildlife conflicts in residential areas
   • Ext. 237—Volunteer opportunities in working with wildlife
2. If your questions aren’t answered via the hotline, please contact a Wildlife technician at (763) 522-4325, ext. 7133.
   • Orphaned wildlife should not be cared for by the general public or kept as pets. Most states have laws prohibiting the possession of wildlife without appropriate permits. Federal law prohibits possession of migratory birds and waterfowl without a permit.
   • Injured wildlife should be brought to our Golden Valley facility. Please contact us for guidance on how to safely capture and transport the animal. Enter through the Incoming Animals entrance on the west side of the building.
   • We are unable to accept skunks. Please contact us for more information and a referral.

Upon arrival, all incoming wildlife animals receive an examination by a Wildlife technician. Injured wildlife are evaluated and treated. Once stabilized, the animal is sent to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further care and treatment until they can be successfully released back into the wild. Animals with serious injuries that can’t be successfully reintroduced to the wild are humanely euthanized to ease their suffering. Orphaned wildlife are placed with wildlife rehabilitators trained to give proper care and provide appropriate diets until the animals are old enough to be released.

Our wildlife placement services are utilized by private citizens and several community law enforcement agencies. Having a wildlife placement service available provides animal control and community service officers with the resources necessary to respond to calls from residents about injured and orphaned wildlife.