What To Do If You Found a Healthy Mammal

Confirm the Mammal is Not Sick or Injured

The following are indications that a mammal may be sick or injured:

• The animal is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, it may be thin, and it may not try to get away from you.
• The fur may be unkempt and/or there may be obvious wounds.
• Other abnormalities can include breathing problems, discharge from the eyes/nose, diarrhea, and lameness or inability to stand.

Read More About What To Do With a Sick or Injured Mammal

If You've Found Healthy Wildlife

If you have found an animal that is not injured or orphaned, please leave it alone. Wild animals have the best chances for survival in the wild. It is illegal to relocate wildlife in Massachusetts. Tufts Wildlife Clinic ONLY admits sick or injured animals. We do not have any ambulatory service to pick up wildlife.

For further assistance on Transport, please refer to the "Who to Call for Help" section on this page.

For bird species questions please call Andrew Vitz, MA Fish and Wildlife State Ornithologist at 508-389-6300.

For further information on living with wildlife, please use the following links:

• Living with Wildlife
• Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife
• Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife – University of Maryland