ANNOUNCING RE-WILDING INDIANA
The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic and Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation are pleased to announce the creation of a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Indiana wildlife, with official operations beginning January 2025.
For 30 years, the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic has provided pro bono medical and surgical care for injured wildlife brought to the clinic by the public and licensed wildlife rehabilitators across Indiana. The Clinic works with a network of volunteer rehabilitators to provide nursing care for sick and injured wildlife, and for orphans. However, with 2024 bringing close to 1000 wild animals for care, the demand has outstripped capacity. Now is the time for an independent wildlife hospital within Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic to partner with one of the area’s strongest wildlife rehabilitation organizations, Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. We can then build capacity for the future and better serve Central Indiana’s wildlife.
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RESCUE & REHABILITATION
Providing guidance, help, and support to bring in orphaned, injured, and/or sick wildlife and get them the treatment they need in order to be wild again one day. Learn more here!
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WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
Providing expert medical and surgical care for injured or ill wildlife, with the goal of release back in to the wild. Learn more here!
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EDUCATION
Helping the community members to see what a value our native wildlife is and what each person can do to help. Learn more here!
How can you help?
Learn what you can do here!
Monetary or supply donations can be given to the wildlife hospital or directly to the rehabilitators.
Please check the list of needed supplies in order to provide the most assistance!
Not all wildlife needs rescuing!
Please call or text us with questions, or see these helpful guides to determine if the animal you have found needs help!
Please be advised that it is illegal to capture and keep native Indiana wildlife for any reason, other than to rescue and transport them to licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Most wildlife do not make good pets, and some can cause severe injury to would-be rescuers.
Well-meaning members of the public can actually cause stress, illness, or even death attempting to care for wildlife, and some animals carry disease or can cause injuries to humans.
The best possible thing you can do for a wild animal in need is to connect with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as quickly as possible. They will give the animal the best possible chance for long-term survival.
TIPS FOR HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING WILDLIFE
Most wildlife species do not tolerate being handled by humans well; some can even die from the stress of just being picked up!
Please do not offer any food, water, formula, or medications to wildlife without first consulting us or another licensed rehabilitater.
Handle them for as short a time as possible.
Place them in escape-proof containers for transport. Cardboard boxes with natural bedding like grass clippings or nesting materials work well. For larger animals, consider using opaque plastic bins or trash cans.
Keep them in a quiet, dark place.
Do not let children handle them.
For orphaned baby mammals, provide gentle supplemental heat like a hot water bottle under a towel or a heating pad on the lowest setting under part of the box.
Be sure the box is secured safely for transport. Unconscious animals can wake up during the trip!
Some species can pose dangers to their rescuers. All adult animals and birds of prey should be handled very carefully. Injured adults can be carefully picked up with a shovel or bundled in a large towel and placed in a box or tub. When in doubt, call a wildlife rehabilitator for help!
