Please do not ever attempt to take in a wild animal as a pet. You may think you are being kind, but taking something from its habitat will only damage the animal. If you find an injured wild animal, contact the groups below. Do not try to handle or treat the animal yourself.

We know it can be very troubling to find something in the wild that seems stressed. However, if it is a native animal, you should not attempt to touch it unless you have native licenses to work with native species. Why?

As a native species wild animal, it will NOT thrive in captivity.
Many native species LOOK stressed, but in fact, are NOT.
You must have a license from DNR to take any wild animal into your home. This is to protect the animal, our environment and YOU!
While we do have one foster who has a native species license, most of our fosters do not have this and so we cannot take in native species as a rescue. Do not fill out a surrender form for a native species as we cannot assist.

Please do not ever attempt to take in a wild animal as a pet for the above reasons. You may think you are being kind, but taking something from its habitat will only damage the animal.

If you find a native species reptile that appears to need medical attention, please contact the following resources as we CANNOT assist with Georgia native animals.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell

AWARE Wildlife Center, Lithonia

Savage Hart, Columbus

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also has resources that may be in your area.

American Eagle Foundation, Pigeon Forge, TN

Bat World Sanctuary, TX (but has great resources on what to do if you find a bat)

Mediterranean House Geckos are an invasive species in Georgia but are considered "non-threatening" to the indigenous wildlife. They are best left outdoors and burrow under houses and near basements when it becomes colder.

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