Help the caretaker know what is coming.
This intake flow helps finders safely contain the animal, avoid extra handling, and describe injuries or condition clearly before transport or arrival.
Warm, dark, quiet, contained. Gloves if you must move it. Do not feed, water, pass around, crowd, or keep checking on it unless instructed.
Stabilize the situation without over-handling the animal.
Use gloves or a towel
Avoid bare-hand contact when possible. Keep children, pets, and extra people away.
Contain safely
Use a ventilated box or carrier with soft cloth. Keep it dark, quiet, and warm.
Do not feed or give water
Unless a caretaker tells you exactly what to do, avoid food, milk, formula, or water.
Observe before handling more
Look for breathing, movement, bleeding, wounds, flies, swelling, or trouble standing.
Take photos if safe
Clear photos/video can help the caretaker prepare, but do not stress the animal for a picture.
Describe clearly
Report what you see, where it was found, who touched it, and how soon transport can happen.
Good notes make transport safer.
The caretaker needs a clear picture before the animal arrives: species/type, location found, condition, injuries, touch/handling history, container status, and transport timing.
- Cold, warm, alert, lethargic, crying, quiet
- Eyes open or closed
- Bleeding, wound, swelling, broken-looking limb
- Flies, maggots, fleas, or visible parasites
- Breathing normally, gasping, mouth open, shallow breathing
- Attacked by cat/dog, hit by car, fallen from nest/tree
Submit what you see.
Use this form to share the details a caretaker needs before the animal arrives: species, location, condition, injuries, handling history, photos, and transport timing.