Wildlife Program
Good Samaritans and first responders bring thousands of injured or ill wild animals to DoveLewis every year in need of medical attention. With generous donations from local animal lovers, DoveLewis’ team stabilizes the animals and Portland Audubon supports their recovery and release
Due to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s new requirements in response to the avian flu outbreak, Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center must temporarily suspend its services, limiting DoveLewis’ options to treat wildlife patients.
If you have found an injured or ill wild animal, their best chance for recovery and release is through a rehabilitation center as the majority of birds will be humanely euthanized until more resources are available locally. DoveLewis can only accept wild animals after 5pm.
"Due to the ODFW’s new requirements…in response to the continuing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak, Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center must temporarily suspend taking in new patients…if you have found an injured or orphaned wild animal, we recommend reaching out to one of the state’s operational wildlife rehabilitation centers on ODFW’s website or ODFW for humane euthanasia…It is important to know that Dove Lewis is not a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and their care options may be limited."
Learn More + Find Resources from Audubon Portland
Local Rehabilitation Centers
If you have found a bird in need of medical care, the best chance for their recovery and release is at a rehabilitation center. DoveLewis is not a rehabilitation center.
What to do if you find a wild animal.
- Call the experts. If you find a wild animal, call the following centers:
- Wildlife Center of North Coast in Astoria
- Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene
- Chintimini Wildlife Center in Corvallis
- If you come across a sick or injured animal in the evening or on the weekends, call DoveLewis for next steps. Factors such as staff capacity and the current avian influenza can impact which animals are able to be cared for. It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal on your own.
- Limit your contact with the animal. Wild animals are terrified of humans. Limit your contact to only what is needed to contain the animal if it is recommended to be transported. This will reduce the amount of stress on the animal.
- Safely contain the animal.
- If the animal is obviously injured or ill and can be transported safely, find a towel, blanket, or thick gloves to use while handling the animal.
- Place the animal in any available safe container – a carrier or ventilated box is ideal.
- Make sure the animal is as comfortable as possible and secure in the container.
- Many animals, especially small ones, are stunned and will fly or scurry away when they become more alert.
- Do not give the animal food or water. If their bodies are shutting down or if they are very weak, metabolizing food could kill them. Administrating water can be dangerous because it is easy to aspirate the animal.
About the Wildlife Program
Our goal is to be a safe-haven and advocate for sick or injured lost pets and stray companion animals. We treat nearly one thousand lost and stray animals each year in need of stabilizing care and pain relief.
Resources for stray and lost animals in the area have reduced significantly, and the number of animals being cared for at DoveLewis has doubled this year alone. The cost of emergency treatment for lost and stray, will be over $135,000 this year.
What to Do if You Find a Baby Bird
It can be scary to see a baby bird away from its nest, but depending on its age and species, the ground might be the best place for it. You might be asked to return the bird to where you found it, place it in its nest, or even build a makeshift nest.
Help Birds Avoid Colliding with Windows
According to Portland Audubon, nearly 1 billion birds die every year in the US by colliding with a window. What can you do at your home and office to minimize the risk to local birds?
What to Do if You Find a Baby Mammal.
Parents of young mammals, such as rabbits and fawns, will often leave their young alone for long stretches of the day or night. Learn more about what to do if you have found a young mammal.
