So, you found wildlife and beleive it is abandoned?

What to Do If You Find a Baby Fawn

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Spring and early summer often bring the gift of new life to the woods and fields surrounding Whispering Acres. One of the most common — and misunderstood — discoveries people make during this season is a seemingly “abandoned” baby deer, known as a fawn.

We understand the deep instinct to help. But when it comes to fawns, sometimes helping means not intervening. Here’s what you should know:

 Fawns Are Often Not Abandoned

Mother deer will intentionally leave their babies alone for long periods of time. A fawn’s best defense is to remain motionless and scentless — predators often pass them right by. The mother is likely nearby, watching from a safe distance. She returns a few times a day to nurse and clean her baby.

If you find a fawn curled up alone in the grass, under a bush, or even in your backyard:

• Do not touch or move it.

• Keep pets and children away.

• Leave the area quietly.

Chances are, mom is waiting for you to leave so she can return.

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🚨 When to Intervene

There are very few situations where human help is truly needed:

• The fawn is lying near a dead doe.

• The fawn is visibly injured (bleeding, broken limbs).

• The fawn is cold, crying out nonstop, covered in insects, or wandering alone and visibly weak for over 24 hours.

In these rare cases, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. In Ohio, you can find one through the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s website. Whispering Acres is not licensed for wildlife rehab, but we’re always happy to help guide you in the right direction.

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🧡 Kindness Includes Letting Nature Be

We know how hard it is to walk away. But in most cases, stepping back is the most loving thing you can do. Fawns that are taken from the wild unnecessarily have very low chances of survival — they miss the chance to learn critical behaviors from their mothers and rarely adapt well in human care.

If you’re ever unsure, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’d rather talk you out of an unnecessary rescue than have a fawn removed from the wild without cause.

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Thank you for caring — your compassion makes a difference.

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What to Do If You Find Abandoned or Injured Wildlife

Each season brings its own wave of wildlife activity — and sometimes, encounters with animals who seem abandoned, lost, or injured. At Whispering Acres, we know how heartbreaking and confusing these moments can be. Your first instinct may be to scoop up the animal and help — but knowing what to do (and what not to do) can make all the difference for the animal's survival.

Here’s how to respond if you find a wild animal in distress:

🦉 First, Observe — Don't Intervene Immediately

Many wild animals that appear “abandoned” are actually not. Wildlife parents often leave their young hidden while they search for food. Baby birds, rabbits, and fawns are commonly mistaken for orphaned animals when they are actually being well cared for.

Ask yourself:

• Is the animal injured (bleeding, limping, visibly weak)?

• Has the animal been in the same location for over 24 hours with no sign of a parent?

• Is it in immediate danger (e.g., from a road, pets, or people)?

If the answer is no, the best course of action is to quietly leave the area and give the animal a chance to reunite with its parent.

🐾 When to Take Action

Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if:

• The animal is visibly injured or bleeding.

• The parent is confirmed deceased nearby.

• The animal is covered in flies or ants.

• A baby bird is featherless and on the ground (it may have fallen from the nest).

• The animal is in danger and cannot escape (e.g., trapped in a window well or caught in a fence).

• You’ve observed no parental return after 24 hours of quiet monitoring.

Important: Do not attempt to feed or give water to a wild animal — this can do more harm than good.

📞 Who to Call

Whispering Acres does not provide wildlife rehabilitation services, but we are happy to help direct you to the appropriate resources. In Ohio, licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found through the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

You can also contact:

• Local animal control or humane society (for immediate rescue needs)

• Veterinary clinics (they may have contacts for wildlife rehab)

• Your local police non-emergency line if the animal is a danger to people or vice versa

• Please see the PDF at the bottom of this page to locate a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area

🚫 Please Don’t Attempt to Raise Wild Animals

No matter how small, cute, or helpless they seem — wild animals belong in the wild. Raising them without proper licensure and training is illegal in many states and often leads to poor outcomes for the animal.

🧡 Your Compassion Matters

Even when the best action is to walk away, your care and concern is a powerful part of protecting wildlife. Thank you for being the kind of person who pauses, observes, and reaches out when something doesn’t seem right. You’re part of a compassionate community that believes every life matters — wild and domestic alike.

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Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary
Rescue. Rehabilitate. Restore Hope — for animals and people alike.

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