Your cat has just proudly presented you with an injured rabbit she’s hunted down in the yard. A neighbor hit a raccoon with his car and you think there are orphaned babies nearby. Your Labrador has “retrieved” an injured bird. What should you do? First assess the situation to see if the animal actually needs your help.

What to look for:

• a wild animal presented to you by your pet
• bleeding
• apparent or obvious broken limb
• a featherless or nearly featherless bird on the ground
• shivering
• evidence of a dead parent nearby

Because injured animals can scratch or bite out of pain and fear it’s important to handle them as little at possible. So if an animal exhibits any of the above signs call 605-367-7000.