I've found a Raccoon, Fox, coyote...

what do I do?

Please consult with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officer, or animal control officer before intervening!

Under Colorado law, it is illegal to possess any species of wildlife without a license. This is where licensed rehabilitators like us come in! In addition to being licensed to take care of wildlife, we have the ability to provide injured and orphaned wildlife with the best nutrition, appropriate medical care, and are usually able to pair them with their own kind so they can thrive and learn proper behaviors for their species.

It is legal, however, for the general public to capture an injured wild animal and transport it to a willing veterinarian, CPW, or licensed rehabilitator.

PLEASE DO NOT FEED ANY WILDLIFE, ESPECIALLY BABIES, UNLESS A REHABILITATOR INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO SO. online sites will give you diets to feed various wildlife, and many of these are extremely harmful! FEEDING WITH IMPROPER METHODS OR INAPPROPRIATE FOODS CAN LEAD TO THE DEATH OF THE ANIMAL.

If you have fed an animal before bringing it to us, please let us know so we can take appropriate measures on intake.

RABies vector Species

Though all mammals can potentially carry rabies, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes, are considered to be "rabies vector species" because they are more likely to have rabies than other animals. If one of these animals bites or scratches a person while they are capturing or rescuing it, it must be tested for rabies. The only way to test for rabies involves euthanizing the animal. While the risk of rabies in Western Colorado is low, it is a significant and deadly disease that requires precaution.

If you need to rescue a raccoon, fox, or coyote, please follow these precautions to protect your health and prevent the animal from later having to be euthanized:

• Avoid handling the animal if at all possible by using nets, carriers, or live traps to capture them.

• Always wear thick gloves if you must handle the animal.

• Do not let baby raccoons, foxes, or coyotes lick you.

• Do not try to feed baby animals - get them to a rehabilitator as soon as you can.

• Contact PSSWF for advice prior to capturing any of these animals.

If you have raccoons, skunks, or other unwanted animals living in your attic or other place, don’t just trap and release them. This often leads to the death of the animal and the babies they likely have in there! Please use humane exclusion methods instead!

Useful Contacts:

PSSWF

(970) 896-6895 (call or text)

psswildlifefoundation@gmail.com 

Pitkin County Animal Control Dispatch

970-920-5300

CPW - Canyon Creek Office

(970)-947-2920

CPW - Grand Junction Office

(970) 255-6100

CPW - Meeker Office

(970) 878-6090

CPW - Hot Sulphur Springs Office

(970) 725-6200