We are currently experiencing Avian Influenza in our area! People are reporting sick or dead birds. If you are seeing a sick or injured animal, please skip down the page to the bulleted points. You can also go to our recent blog post titled “AVIAN FLU IS BACK: PROTOCOL AND HOW TO REPORT DEAD OR SICK BIRDS.”
The nearest wildlife rehabilitation center is located in Portland at the Bird Alliance of Oregon.
Wildlife Care Center
Open every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Call or email for advice before transporting injured or sick wildlife.
Injured Wildlife Hotline: 503-292-0304
Email: wildlife@birdallianceoregon.org
Address: 5151 NW Cornell Rd. Portland OR, 97210
The Wildlife Care Center accepts injured and orphaned birds, reptiles, and amphibians from Oregon. While we can accept birds from Washington, we are federally restricted from accepting any mammals, reptiles or amphibians from any state other than Oregon.
Leave a message for our Wildlife Solutions Counselors at 503-292-0304 and we will promptly return your call. You may also email wildlife@birdallianceoregon.
If you have an animal in need and the Wildlife Care Center is closed, please:
- If the bird or animal is sick or dead, do not handle it since it may have avian influenza, which is highly contagious.
- Wear gloves when handling sick or injured birds or wildlife and wash your hands afterwards.
- If you know the cause of the injury, contain the bird or animal in a secure, ventilated box with an old towel or t-shirt lining the bottom.
- Do not handle the animal any more than necessary to contain it – this is for your protection as well as for the animal’s well being. Wild animals are terrified of humans. They may fight back, try to flee, or freeze. Many people mistake the “freeze” behavior for tolerance or enjoyment of contact, when in reality it is a fear response. Limiting contact will reduce stress on the animal.
- Keep the animal in a warm, dark, and quiet space. Keep them away from children and pets.
- Do not feed the animal. Most animals eat specialized foods, and feeding can be dangerous to the animal’s health.
- Do not leave water with the bird or animal. Many wild animals do not drink standing water, and attempting to help them drink can result in pneumonia. In addition, if an animal spills its water and gets wet, it could get cold and may die.
- Bring the bird or animal to the Wildlife Care Center as soon as you can if directed to do so. If you can’t bring it to the center during our open hours, or you believe the animal is in critical condition and needs immediate attention after hours, the Wildlife Care Center has a partnership with the 24 hour Emergency Veterinary Hospital Dove Lewis. To get in touch with them, call (503) 228-7281.
Found a baby bird? Please follow this link before you take the bird(s) away!