There are a number of reasons to bring all injured and orphaned wildlife to a licensed rehabilitation facility.

• It is in the best interest of the animal. If your concern is really for the animal and not for your entertainment and amusement, experienced medical professionals and care-takers best insure the animal’s chances of survival. Diet, temperature, humidity, medications and/or exposure to humans must be controlled to successfully rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife.
• Mortality rates are high among orphaned and injured wildlife. Your desire for a learning experience will likely end in a death that may be more traumatic than parting with the animal in the first place.
• It’s illegal to care for it yourself. Federal and state law prohibits the keeping of any and all wildlife without a permit -- even for short term care or hand raising.
• Health concerns for your family and your pets. Wildlife are hosts to a wide array of bacteria, viruses, insects and parasites that may at best inconvenience, at worst harm your family and/or pets.