Native Species Need Help Too
Spotted Wildlife That’s Injured?
A Shedding Chance Reptile Rescue Inc. is not certified to assist with wildlife, but we are happy to provide recommendations for trusted resources you can contact if you encounter injured wildlife. For resources by state, please go here. If you’re in New England, please scroll down.
Please note: These organizations are not affiliated with our rescue. We have provided them as additional resources for your convenience, should you need them.
Connecticut’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Association
In the state of Connecticut, only those possessing a state custodial permit are allowed to temporarily keep recuperating animals. An additional federal permit is required to rehabilitate most wild birds. This license is used for the legal care of injured, sick or orphaned wildlife by trained state-appointed volunteers with the goal of releasing that wildlife back into the wild.
MassWildlife
Wild animals are protected by law. It is illegal to take an animal from the wild to care for or to attempt to keep as a pet. If you think that an animal may be in need of intervention, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island
Since 1993, Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island (WRARI) has been providing medical and rehabilitative care for all species of wildlife in the state of Rhode Island. Licensed by both the state and federal government, we help over 6,000 wild patients each year from all corners of the state — at The Wildlife Clinic and by our licensed home rehabilitators. We raise orphaned or injured wild babies, and assist injured adults, with the goal of releasing them back into the environment.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Vermont rehabilitators may legally possess and treat most common birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians with the exception of deer, moose, bear and wild turkey. Only two facilities in Vermont are authorized to accept threatened and endangered species. Licensed rehabilitators provide care with the ultimate goal of returning the animal to the wild as quickly as possible, giving the animal the best chance of survival. For the wellbeing of all wildlife in Vermont and for your own safety, taking a wild animal into captivity is illegal. Only licensed rehabilitators may legally care for wildlife.
NH Veterinary Center for Wildlife
A core mission of the New Hampshire Veterinary Center for Wildlife is to provide educational opportunities for the veterinary community, wildlife rehabilitators, and the public. It is only by sharing veterinary and rehabilitation skills and knowledge honed by the Center’s founders over 38 years, can we preserve New Hampshire’s wildlife for future generations.
NH Turtle Rescue
NH Turtle Rescue is a wildlife rehabilitation clinic based in Nottingham, New Hampshire. Give them a call at (603) 417-4944 if you have an injured turtle, or have any turtle-related questions.
Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitators are permitted by the State of Maine to help injured, orphaned, displaced, or distressed wild animals, with the goal of caring for animals in need so they can survive in their wild native habitats. Some of the ways in which wildlife rehabilitators achieve this goal include educating the public about native wildlife (including when to leave animals alone in the wild and when to bring in help), directly caring for and feeding for distressed wildlife, arranging appropriate release of recovered animals, and much more.