Experts share best practices to aid injured wildlife

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the summer heating up, it’s not uncommon to see an animal that may be injured or in need. It’s important to make sure of what to do if you see an animal in the road that may need help.

We spoke to a local wildlife rehabber, who says to not feed the animal, as feeding them the wrong formula or food can cause dehydration.

Humane societies are not equipped to take in wild animals, so you can only take them to wildlife rehabbers.

However, the most important thing to remember: if you see an injured animal like a deer, leave it alone for the time being.

“If you can tell it’s injured, leave it where it is until you get ahold of somebody. A lot of times… people will say ‘Well, I found it, but I gave it to my sister, who gave it to her husband’, and it gets passed around… the stress kills it as much as the injury does… so leave them until you get ahold of somebody. If it looks like it’s really desperate and they need to be in a cool space, put them in a box, don’t pass them around… don’t handle them whether they’re injured or not,” Lori Dawson with Wild4Life says.

Dawson also says she’s a one woman operation and she does it as a volunteer. She says if she doesn’t answer your call immediately, be patient so she can make sure every animal gets the help it needs.

There’s also a rehabber in Logan County if you believe the animal is in urgent need of care and she’s not available.

Kentucky Fish & Wildlife’s has all the information you’ll need to find out who’s available in your area.