Since 1982, the Howell Nature Center is home to Michigan’s largest wildlife rehabilitation clinic – taking in approximately 4,000 wild animals per year from all over Michigan.
WHAT TO DO WITH
ORPHANED WILDLIFE
Before bringing in any wildlife, please contact our helpline as many times we can assist without you needing to move the animal. Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and CLOSED on Mondays. The Wildlife Helpline is still available on Mondays. If you find a wild animal, please call 517-548-5530.
Help, I’ve found a:
“Flow charts” courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
ALL WILDLIFE SITUATIONS ARE UNIQUE. For more information and for answers on your particular situation, please call our Wildlife Helpline at 517-548-5530. For licensed rehabilitators in your area, click here.
Animals We Cannot Accept
We accept wildlife from counties all over the Lower Peninsula. Before bringing in any wildlife, please contact our helpline. Often, we can assist without you needing to move the animal. Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and CLOSED on Mondays.
Due to permit regulations and our limited resources, WE CANNOT ACCEPT:
- Bats*
- Skunks*
- Mute Swans
- Raccoons
- Starlings
- House Sparrows
- Pigeons
- Domestic animals
- Farm animals
*If you have come into contact with a bat or skunk, call your county’s local department of public health. It is illegal to rehabilitate these animals in the state of Michigan.
Please remember it is illegal for anyone to keep or care for wild birds, mammals or reptiles without state or federal permits. Thank you for your understanding and for caring about Michigan’s wildlife!
For licensed rehabilitators in your area, click here.
