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.

Baby squirrels fall out of the nest for various reasons. The first       thing to do is to put the baby in a box up off the ground, to      keep domestic animals from being able to get it, and leave it       for 2 to 3 hours. If it is cold weather, heat up a water bottle           or bag of rice and place it in the box with baby. This will assist     in keeping him/her from getting Pneumonia. More times than      not, the mother will retrieve her baby. If the mother does not retrieve her baby after 3 hours, please call ARC Hotline, at       704-552-2329.

If you find a baby squirrel deposited on your doorstep, compliments of your dog or cat, the baby needs to be rescued.     As with all small wildlife, wrap the baby up 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 ARC as soon as possible. They will care for the baby      until it can be released back into the wild.

As fast as they are, dogs occasionally catch adult squirrels,      with disastrous consequences for the squirrel. Or they may    survive being hit by a car, but be unable to move due to a      back injury. Injured adult squirrels 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 squirrel 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 squirrel,     and keep it in a quiet place until you can transport it to a       licensed rehabilitator or a veterinarian. It is very stressful           for squirrels to be in captivity. Transport them as quickly and        quietly as possible for a successful rescue.