WRI exists to promote wildlife rehabilitation, improve wildlife welfare, and conservation in Ireland.
Knowing what to do when you come across a wild animal in distress can make all the difference between life and death.
When a wild animal is found injured, frightened, or disoriented, it’s natural to want to help — but the wrong action can cause further harm. The first and most important step is to stay calm, avoid direct contact, and observe from a safe distance. Quick, informed decisions made in the right order can save lives.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland advises that you contact a trained wildlife rehabilitator or veterinary practitioner as soon as possible. If safe to do so, place the animal in a secure, ventilated box lined with a towel and keep it somewhere quiet until professional help arrives. Never feed, medicate, or release the animal yourself.
If you find an injured wild animal, stay calm, observe from a distance, and contact a trained wildlife rehabilitator or vet immediately.
Contact details can be found on www.irishwildlifematters.ie website
Handling or chasing an injured animal can worsen injuries or cause shock. Take a moment to assess from afar and ensure your own safety first. Many wildlife casualties survive because someone paused long enough to act wisely.
Contain the animal only if it can be done without stress or risk — a ventilated cardboard box lined with a towel is ideal. Keep it in a dark, quiet space, away from pets and people, until a rehabilitator or vet arrives.
Only veterinary professionals or licensed rehabilitators should treat wildlife — untrained care can cause serious harm.
Contact details can be found on www.irishwildlifematters.ie website
For helpful things to know before visiting a vet READ HERE
Wild animals have very different physiological and behavioural needs compared to pets. Even with the best intentions, untrained handling or treatment can lead to further injury or distress. Vets can legally provide immediate care, stabilise the animal, and transfer it to a rehabilitator.
If you are unsure whether the animal needs help, call ahead for advice. Veterinary clinics and WRI-trained rehabilitators can talk you through safe containment and transport. Acting quickly, with expert guidance, can be the difference between recovery and loss.
Ireland’s wildlife is protected by law — always act responsibly and within legal limits when helping an animal.
Under the Wildlife Acts, most wild species are protected, and it is an offence to keep or handle them without permission. Temporary possession is, however, allowed when rescuing an injured animal for transport to a professional. Always act with care, and document what you do.
If you’re unsure about the legal process or your next step, contact Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, NPWS, or your local Garda station. Acting responsibly ensures the best possible welfare outcome for the animal — and protects you under the law.
Understanding common situations helps you respond safely and appropriately when wildlife is in trouble.
Each year, hundreds of wild animals in Ireland are injured in similar, preventable ways — through traffic, pets, litter, or misunderstanding. Recognising these scenarios early allows for fast, safe, and effective responses.
By learning what to do in these common situations, members of the public can play a vital role in saving wildlife, reducing suffering, and preventing avoidable fatalities.
If a wild animal has been struck by a vehicle, prioritise your own safety, then contact a wildlife rehabilitator or vet immediately.
Wildlife often crosses roads at dawn and dusk when visibility is low. Injured animals may appear stunned, confused, or motionless — but may still be alive and in need of care. Always park safely before approaching and never put yourself in danger.
Make a quick visual assessment, note the location, and call a rehabilitator or vet for guidance. Where safe, gently move the animal off the road into a box or shaded area until help arrives. Your quick action could save a life.
Even minor cat-inflicted wounds can be fatal to wildlife — all cat attacks require immediate veterinary attention.
Domestic cats are instinctive hunters, and many small wild animals fall victim to their claws and teeth. Even tiny puncture wounds can lead to deadly infections within 24 hours. Birds, bats, and small mammals are especially vulnerable.
If you find an animal attacked by a cat, contain it gently and seek urgent veterinary help. Reducing your cat’s outdoor time, especially at dawn and dusk, can also significantly reduce wildlife casualties.
Young animals seen alone are not always abandoned — their parents are often nearby waiting for humans to leave.
Each spring, concerned members of the public mistakenly “rescue” healthy young animals that have been temporarily left alone. Fawns, fledglings, and leverets may appear abandoned, but parental care often continues unseen.
Observe quietly for at least an hour from a distance before taking action. If the animal is cold, injured, or in immediate danger, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice before intervening.
Do not try to free trapped animals yourself — call for trained help to prevent further injury.
Wildlife frequently becomes caught in garden netting, wire, drains, or litter. Struggling animals can cause serious self-injury, and untrained attempts to free them often make the situation worse.
If safe, remain nearby, keep the animal calm and contained, and contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Prevention is best — remove unnecessary netting, and store waste or materials securely to reduce future risks.
Clearing up common misunderstandings helps protect both animals and the people trying to help them.
Misinformation about wildlife behaviour often leads to unnecessary interventions or harm. By challenging these myths, we can promote better understanding and more effective rescue responses.
Knowing what’s true — and what isn’t — ensures that both wildlife and people stay safe.
Wild parents do not reject their young because of human scent — but handling should still be kept to a minimum.
This is one of the most common and harmful myths about wildlife rescue. Most wild parents will return once humans have left the area, even after brief contact with their young.
If you’ve already touched a baby animal, gently return it to where it was found and step back. Avoid excessive handling and noise. The parent will almost always return once the area is quiet again.
While nature can be harsh, many wildlife injuries are caused by people — so intervention is often the right thing to do.
When injury results from human activity, stepping in is an act of responsibility, not interference. Modern rehabilitation aims to restore natural balance, not disrupt it.
Helping an injured animal recover and return to the wild is a compassionate and scientifically informed way to correct avoidable harm.
Simple daily choices can reduce injuries and suffering for Ireland’s wild animals.
Small actions make a big difference. By being mindful of how we live, drive, and manage our waste, we can prevent many of the injuries that send wildlife to rehabilitation centres each year.
Wildlife protection begins at home — and every act of care helps build a safer environment for both people and animals.
Cutting down on plastic use prevents entanglement, choking, and ingestion injuries in wildlife.
Plastic waste kills millions of wild animals each year through suffocation, starvation, or entrapment. By switching to reusable alternatives and recycling properly, you help protect entire ecosystems.
Dispose of litter responsibly and encourage others to do the same. Get involved with clean ups in your area and make your community a safe place for wildlife.
Securing rubbish and cleaning up outdoor spaces keeps wildlife and habitats safe.
Food waste, loose bags, and open bins attract wildlife and lead to dangerous encounters. Regular clean-ups and responsible waste storage dramatically reduce these risks.
Community litter initiatives and simple home habits, such as covering bins and drains, lifting football nets help prevent needless injuries and deaths.
Poisons harm far more than pests — they kill predators and upset the natural balance.
Rodenticides and toxic baits are lethal to owls, kestrels, and foxes that feed on poisoned rodents. Humane, non-toxic alternatives exist and are just as effective.
Choosing wildlife-safe pest control protects Ireland’s natural pest managers and strengthens healthy ecosystems.
Simple checks and tidy habits can prevent many wildlife injuries around the home.
Cover drains, tidy away loose netting, and store garden tools safely. Always check for hedgehogs before strimming and keep chemicals locked away.
Wildlife-friendly gardens are not only safer — they also provide food, shelter, and biodiversity for the species we share our space with.
Wildlife protection depends on public vigilance — report suspicious or harmful activity to the proper authorities.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland encourages everyone to take an active role in protecting Ireland’s wildlife. Many cases of illegal hunting, poisoning, and habitat destruction are first discovered by members of the public, whose reports are crucial for successful investigations and enforcement. Timely reporting helps prevent further harm and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable.
Wildlife crime affects more than individual animals — it threatens entire ecosystems and undermines conservation work across the country. Whether it’s deliberate cruelty, illegal trapping, or habitat destruction, every piece of information can help build a clearer picture of the threats facing Ireland’s biodiversity.
If you witness deliberate harm to wildlife, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service or An Garda Síochána immediately.
Illegal hunting, poisoning, or baiting are serious offences under Irish law. These actions cause immense suffering and often impact protected species such as birds of prey, badgers, and foxes. Quick reporting ensures that enforcement officers can investigate while evidence is still fresh, greatly improving the likelihood of prosecution.
If possible, note details such as the location, time, and any suspicious vehicles or persons, but do not approach or intervene. Contact NPWS or Gardaí, and if safe, take photographs from a distance. Your report may prevent further cruelty and save countless animals.
Badger setts, bird nests, and other breeding sites are legally protected — report any disturbance or destruction.
Under Ireland’s Wildlife Acts, it is illegal to destroy, block, or interfere with active nests and setts. Such actions can kill or injure animals, disrupt breeding, and cause lasting ecological damage. Unfortunately, these offences are often linked to development, construction, or deliberate persecution.
If you discover a damaged nest, blocked sett, or suspect a disturbance, record the location and notify NPWS or Gardaí immediately. Your vigilance helps ensure these crucial habitats remain safe and that those responsible are held accountable.
Report wildlife crime to NPWS or Gardaí for advice on the correct steps to take.
For active wildlife crimes or immediate danger, contact An Garda Síochána. The National Parks and Wildlife Service investigates most wildlife offences and can be reached through their regional offices. They can provide guidance on reporting, evidence handling, and follow-up support.
Even small details can help — a brief description, photograph, or location reference may be the key to preventing future harm. Reporting is not only a civic responsibility but a powerful act of protection for Ireland’s wild animals and habitats.
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