If you find injured or orphaned wildlife:

• Call ARC for instructions or read the information provided in this site.
• If it is determined the animal needs assistance, then: Pick up the animal gently with gloves on;
• Place animal in a small box with soft cloth on the bottom. Secure lid and create ventilation.
• Place a heating pad set on "low" half way UNDER the box, or a plastic bottle filled with hot water and wrapped in a cloth IN the box;
• Place the box in a quiet, dark room. DO NOT give food or water.

If you find a baby chipmunk deposited on your doorstep, compliments of your dog or cat, the baby needs to be rescued. As with all small wildlife, wrap the baby in soft towels or and old t-shirt, put the baby in a box, and set the box halfway on a heating pad set on low. You do not need to feed it; just contact the ARC as soon as possible. They will care for the baby until it can be released back into the wild. Please call the ARC Hotline, at 704-552-2329.

As fast as they are, dogs occasionally catch adult chipmunks, with disastrous consequences for the chipmunk, or they may survive being hit by a car, but be unable to move due to a back injury. Injured adult chipmunks can be picked up by using thick gloves, scooping them up in a towel, then carefully lay in a box. If the back is broken or the chipmunk is dragging both back legs, it needs to be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. The vet can then contact ARC for its continued care.

It is very important to cover the box containing the chipmunk, and keep it in a quiet place until you can transport it to a licensed rehabilitator or a veterinarian. It is very stressful for chipmunks to be in captivity. Transport them as quickly and quietly as possible for a successful rescue.