1. Whenever possible, remove road kills off the road. Many animals are killed or injured while feeding on these carcasses.
   
   
2. If you see a dead possum, check to see if it is a female and if she has living babies in her pouch. If she does, bring the dead opossum and her babies to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center. Do not attempt to remove the babies yourself.
   
   
3. Rabbits and deer do not abandon their young, but are often away from "home base" from dawn to dusk. If a fawn or baby rabbit is injured or if you know for sure that the mother is dead, bring it to a wildlife rehabber. Otherwise, leave the nest site alone as mother will not return if she senses that you are too close.
   
   
4. If you find a bird nest on the ground with babies or eggs in it, tie it back into a nearby tree. The nest can be placed in a little box or margarine tub (with drainage holes) to make it easier to secure. Don't use any container with sharp edges that would make it too difficult for the parent bird to perch and feed the babies.
   
   
5. Nestling baby birds (those completely naked or with just pin feathers) often flop out or are kicked out of the nest. Locate the nest and gently place the baby in the nest. Watch from a distance to confirm that the parent bird returns. This may take several hours, so be patient.
   
   
6. Fledgling birds have some feathers but don't fly well. They mostly hop and can jump to low branches. This is normal and part of the bird's development. Keep your dogs and cats indoors while the fledglings are learning to fly and observe from a distance to make sure the parents are feeding them. If you don't see parents or if the bird is injured, get it to your nearest wildlife rehabber.
   
   
7. Most baby bird injuries are caused by domestic pets. If you have nests on your property, monitor your dogs and cats, especially during spring and summer.
   
   
8. Avoid using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. You may kill the targeted animal and several other animals (dogs, cats, hawks, owls) who may feed on the dead or dying animal.
   
   
9. Build barn owl boxes and kestrel houses in your area to encourage a natural form of rodent and insect control.
   
   
10. Nocturnal animals (skunks, opossums, raccoons) should not be out in the daytime. If you see such an animal in the daytime, it may be ill or injured. Contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center,
11. If you find a truly orphaned or injured wild animal or bird, contain it, keep it warm, dark and quiet until you can get it to a wildlife center.
12. If an animal or bird is injured, it is probably also in shock; minimize human contact to prevent deeper shock and death.
    
    
13. Never attempt to give an orphaned wild mammal or bird cow's milk. This will cause severe diarrhea and often death. Your local wildlife center has all the proper diets and is better trained to care for wildlife.
14. Never put liquids into an injured animal's mouth. This could cause aspiration pneumonia and death.
    
    
15. Do not attempt to keep wild animals or birds as pets. It is illegal and inhumane.

Click here for a printable collection of the articles listed above from the booklet "Bats In Your Belfry, Tips On Co-Existing With Urban Wildlife."