The von Arx Wildlife Hospital cares for thousands of injured, orphaned, or sick native wildlife 365 days a year. Most of the injuries that we see in the animals admitted to the hospital stem from interactions involving humans. To help protect our native wildlife and give them the best chance of survival, we have created an ongoing series that gives tips and information crucial to the rehabilitative care and success of native wildlife.
Prevent human imprinting on wildlife
Young animals can quickly become habituated or imprinted to humans, making it difficult or impossible for them to survive in the wild.
When bringing animals to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, please remember to do the following things to prevent human imprinting:
- Handle the animal only when absolutely necessary for transportation, and always wear gloves when handling.
- Keep the animal in a secure, ventilated container covered with a towel or blanket to minimize stress, noise, and visual stimulation.
- Do not give the animal any food or fluids to prevent the animal from associating humans with food.
What you need to know about rabies
Several wildlife animals are considered rabies vectors in Florida, meaning that the animal can carry the rabies virus without showing symptoms and can pass it to humans.
Rabies is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, as the virus is found in their saliva. Infected animals may appear healthy but can behave abnormally, either unusually friendly or aggressive.
If you find an injured animal that is considered a rabies vector, do not handle it directly. Contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for guidance. If instructed to transport the animal, wear thick gloves and use a secure, well-ventilated container. Avoid direct contact and never attempt to feed or treat the animal yourself. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital must treat rabies cases as instructed by Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64D-3.
Policy on patient updates
At the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, our mission is to provide expert medical care and compassionate rehabilitation to native wildlife, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. Please note that we do not provide individual patient updates. This policy is in place for several important reasons:
- Prioritizing Patient Care: Our team of licensed wildlife veterinarians, technicians, and trained volunteers must focus their time and energy on hands-on care. Providing individual updates diverts time and resources away from the direct treatment of the hundreds of animals we receive each week.
- High Volume of Admissions: The von Arx Wildlife Hospital admits thousands of injured, ill, and orphaned animals each year. Due to this high patient volume and the fast-paced nature of wildlife rehabilitation, it is not feasible to track and report on each individual animal once admitted.
- Wildlife Regulations and Responsibility: Once a wild animal is admitted to our hospital, it becomes the responsibility of our licensed wildlife facility. Wild animals are protected under state and federal law and are not considered personal pets. Our care is guided by strict medical, ethical, and legal standards.
We understand the care and compassion that drives you to help injured wildlife, and we want to assure you that every patient at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital receives the best possible treatment. Despite our best efforts, not all animals survive or can be returned to the wild. Your act of rescue makes a real difference, and we thank you for your support and trust.
Call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
If you find injured, orphaned, or sick native wildlife, call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. Our staff will guide you on what you need to do. The phone line is open 8 AM to 5 PM, every day of the year.
If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail with the following information: Name, location, type of animal, type of injury, and call back number. We will return your call as soon as possible.
With thousands of animals being admitted into our care each year, our rehabilitation staff is often working directly with wildlife and unable to answer the phone. Please be patient and kind when trying to reach the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, and remember that we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for doing your part to help animals in need!