Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation’s FAQ

We accept all species of wild birds, reptiles and amphibians, and all wild mammals except skunks, bats, and raccoons. We never accept domestic animals such as dogs, cats, pet turtles, or pet birds. We do not accept farm animals such as chickens.

Yes. We accept all species of wild birds including non-native Pigeons, House Sparrows, and European Starlings.

Yes. We have incubators and will incubate viable eggs until they hatch and then raise the hatchling birds until they can be released back into the wild.

It is illegal under Illinois law to rehabilitate skunks and bats because they are considered to be rabies-vector species. We do not rehabilitate raccoons because we would have to dedicate everything from critical care incubators to intermediate care cages to large outdoor cages solely to that one species in order to prevent the possible spread of disease from raccoons to other wildlife species in our care. Because we treat a large number of animals with limited financial resources, we must be able to flex caging between species rather than dedicate significant financial resources to one particular species. Not treating raccoons, therefore, allows us to treat a greater number of animals than if we had to dedicate cages to one particular species.

There are many reasons why we instruct you not to feed the animal in your care. First and most importantly, you are not trained how to safely feed the animal. Many people that rescue baby animals try to feed them and end up killing them or severely compromising them instead. It takes training, experience, and the right equipment to learn how to correctly feed a baby bird, squirrel, or other baby animals. It takes knowledge of the proper formulas, temperatures, and feeding techniques. You cannot buy the proper equipment at your local pet store—that equipment is made for much larger animals like puppies and kittens and using that equipment would make it extremely difficult for anyone to safely feed a baby squirrel, bunny or bird. In fact, we find that over 80% of orphaned animals that were fed by their rescuers arrive at Flint Creek Wildlife with aspiration pneumonia. Many animals that would have survived if the temporary caregiver simply did not feed them cannot be saved only because the rescuer fed them first.

Second, even if you found an adult animal, you should never put food in its mouth. Injured adult animals can be aspirated just like orphaned babies can be aspirated. Further, the priority with an injured adult animal should be to get its injuries addressed by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Third, feeding an emaciated animal can actually kill it. When an animal is emaciated, its gastrointestinal system stops functioning. Feeding an animal in this condition can result in its death. Feathers and fur hide starvation quite well, so please don't think that you can simply tell if the animal is starving by looking at it.

Fourth, feeding the wrong diet can compromise or kill an animal. Some wild animals have extremely delicate gastrointestinal systems that can be disrupted by incorrect diet. Even the incorrect diet can cause major problems if fed at the wrong temperature.

We will give you temporary care instructions once we assess your animal and set an appointment. Under certain circumstances, we might give you instructions to offer the animal food free-choice, but we will be very specific regarding what food, how much, and in what size container/bowl. Please NEVER offer the animal food and water without specific instructions from us to do so...

A drop of water isn't enough to help an animal but it is enough to kill an animal.

Because Flint Creek Wildlife is funded through donations, we cannot afford administrative help and do not have resources dedicated strictly to admitting new patients. As a result and in order to provide the best possible level of care to every animal we admit, we schedule appointments around our existing patients' feeding and medication schedules. Many of our patients require feeding and medicating on rigid around-the-clock schedules and failure to adhere to these schedules could negatively impact their survival. If we allowed the public to bring in new patients any time they wished, then existing care schedules would be interrupted and the quality of animal care would deteriorate.

We know that you are anxious to get help for the injured or orphaned animal you found. When you call us for an appointment, we ask you questions in order to assess the condition of the animal. If we determine that the animal you found is truly an emergency and that waiting for the next available appointment will jeopardize its survival, then we will make every effort to get that animal in right away. Most animals, however, can wait for the next available appointment provided that you follow the short-term care instructions that we give you when you call us. Appointments are usually made for the same day or the following morning, depending on what time of day you call.

We appreciate if you make a donation when you bring us an animal for care. The amount you donate is really up to you and based on what you can afford, but please make at least a $50 donation if you are able. We do require a minimum $50 donation if your dog or cat was the primary cause of the animal's injury since we feel that we shouldn't be burdened with medical and other costs caused directly by your pet.

Please give generously and remember that our costs include more than just the costs of medical care, food, and housing for the duration of the animal's stay. See the Cost of Care section on our website for more details.