Frequently Asked Questions

Do not touch, feed, or attempt to care for the animal yourself. 

BIRDS 

Little to No Feathers: Create a small makeshift nest using a basket or box lined with tissue or soft cloth. Place the nest securely in a nearby tree or shrub. Bird parents will not reject a baby because it was handled. Watch from a distance to see if the parents return. If they do not return within about an hour, keep the baby warm and contact Inland Valley Wildlife Project. 

Mostly Feathered: This is likely a fledgling learning to fly. It is normal for them to be on the ground. Parents will usually continue feeding the baby and it should begin flying within a few days.

Injured or in Danger: If the bird is injured or threatened by pets or traffic, place it in a box, keep it warm, and contact Inland Valley Wildlife Project immediately. 

MAMMALS 

Watch and Wait: A missing parent does not always mean a baby has been abandoned. Many mammals only visit their young a few times a day to avoid attracting predators. Keep pets away and watch from a distance to see if the parents return.

Warmth and Isolation: If the baby appears orphaned, place it in a ventilated box with soft cloth in a quiet, dark place away from pets and people. Provide gentle warmth by placing half the box on a heating pad set to LOW. 

Injured or in Danger: If the baby mammal is injured, bleeding, or attacked by a predator, keep it warm and contact Inland Valley Wildlife Project immediately. 

Many young wild animals are left alone while parents forage. Signs an animal may need help include visible injuries, bleeding, paralysis, being attacked by a cat or dog, or being cold, weak, or unresponsive. When in doubt, contact a wildlife professional before intervening. 

An orphaned animal has been separated from its mother and cannot survive on its own. An injured animal has physical injuries that require medical attention.

No. Feeding or watering wildlife improperly is one of the most common causes of death. Even well-intended care can be fatal. 

Human handling causes stress, imprinting, and habituation, which can make animals unreleasable and unsafe in the wild. 

No. All animals are cared for solely for rehabilitation and release. 

We unfortunately cannot allow public visits to protect the animals in our care. However, we do offer virtual tours and educational programs for the public.

IVWP serves Southwest Riverside County, working closely with animal control officers, wildlife veterinarians and other permitted wildlife professionals and trained volunteers. 

Wildlife rehabilitation is funded entirely through donations. There is no government funding for daily care. 

You can become a member of Inland Valley Wildlife Project by filling out a membership form on our website or contacting us through email or phone.