Wildlife and Rehabilitation

Wildlife Assistance

SPCA Tampa Bay is committed to the protection of all animals, including wildlife. Our team, in collaboration with local partners, provides medical attention and rehabilitation services for native songbirds, small mammals, and screech owls.

SPCA Tampa Bay does not transport injured wildlife to our For-All animal shelter in Largo.

Useful Emergency Contact Info

Call SPCA Tampa Bay 727-586-3592
Blue Pearl (Clearwater location) 727-572-0132
Veterinary Emergency Group (Clearwater) 727-288-0732
Blue Pearl (Brandon location) 813-571-3303

What To Do If You’ve Found Wildlife

If the animal is sick, injured, or orphaned, please call us at 727-586-3592 between 8am and 4pm.

If it’s after hours, refer to our After Hours Help located below.

Found baby wildlife? Try this first:

Squirrels

DO NOT give baby animals food or water. If the baby is not injured, place it in a box lined with a soft cloth and set the box at the base of the nearest tree for the mother to collect. Keep an eye out for ants near the baby that could get into the box. If the mother hasn’t retrieved the baby within two to three hours, contact us.

Opossums

DO NOT give baby animals food or water. Mother opossums who have lost their babies will not return for them. Please contact us regarding any baby opossums that measure less than 8 inches from nose to rump (not including the tail). If you find a deceased mother with babies in her pouch, you can bring in the mother, and we will remove the babies on-site.

Rabbits

DO NOT give baby animals food or water. Mother rabbits typically leave the nest unattended for most of the day. Leave rabbits in the nest or den unless they are injured, infested with flies or ants, or the nest has been disturbed by predators.

Baby songbirds

DO NOT give baby animals food or water. If the baby bird appears uninjured, you can try to reunite it with its parents by returning it to the nest. If you’re unable to locate or access the nest, place the bird in a hanging basket with small drainage holes (a laundry basket works well for birds of prey), and hang it from a tree branch or attach it to the trunk near where you found the bird. Observe from a distance to see if the mother returns; your scent won’t prevent her from caring for the baby. If there’s no sign of the mother within two hours, contact us.