Logo of Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. with a raccoon illustration and 25th anniversary text.

UWR, INC.

25 Years of Saving Local Wildlife

For a quarter-century, we’ve provided medical care, food, and shelter to injured and orphaned wild animals across Massachusetts.

Support Our Mission

Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.

Contact: 413-275-9462

Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. is a nonprofit that provides medical care, food, and shelter to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife across Massachusetts until they are healthy enough to return to the wild. Founded in 2001, the organization specializes in rehabilitating small mammals such as raccoons, squirrels, foxes, muskrats, opossums, skunks, and porcupines, with locations in Springfield, Russell, and Westfield.

Found an Injured or Orphaned Animal?

First: Is It Truly Orphaned?

Young wildlife are not always abandoned. A baby may have fallen from the nest or den, and the mother may return once the area is quiet. If the mother is confirmed deceased, safely contain the baby and contact Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. immediately.
413-275-9462

  • Please do not handle wild animals unless absolutely necessary. If intervention is required, take proper precautions and never use bare hands.

    Before bringing an animal to us, contact us by phone or email first (413-275-9462). We are a small mammal rehabilitation facility and cannot treat every species, but we can refer you to another licensed rehabilitator if needed. Do not leave animals unattended at our gate or assume we are aware they were dropped off. Animals left outside may be at risk from predators, dehydration, extreme temperatures, or other dangers.

    Because we are a small facility without a 24-hour answering service, we may not be able to respond immediately. In addition to caring for animals in rehabilitation, we also manage family responsibilities and outside work that helps support the facility.

    Please wait for confirmation from us before traveling with an animal in need.

  • Orphaned Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Rabbits

    If the baby appears uninjured and warm, leave it where found after people and noise have cleared. If the baby is cold, place it in a shallow open box with soft bedding (avoid towels) and a gentle heat source such as a warm water bottle, jar, or sealed bag. Watch from indoors or another concealed location. The mother will not return if people are nearby. These species typically retrieve their young during daylight hours. If the mother has not returned by dark, contact Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.

  • Orphaned Raccoons and Skunks

    Raccoons and skunks are nocturnal and usually retrieve their young after dark. Place the baby in a cardboard box with soft bedding and a heat source. After dark, place the box near where the baby was found and cover it with a plastic laundry basket or use a reuniting box. This helps protect the baby while still allowing the mother to retrieve it. Watch from a concealed location. The mother will not return if people are nearby. If the mother does not return overnight, contact Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. For visual guidance on assisting orphaned, injured, or ill mammals, please visit the Western Massachusetts Rehabilitators’ Association webpage.

  • Orphaned Birds

    If you find an injured or orphaned bird, please visit the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife Clinic FAQ page and contact the clinic directly for assistance: (508) 839-7918.

    You can also visit the Western Massachusetts Rehabilitators’ Association webpage for visual guidance on helping injured or orphaned birds.

  • Injured Mammals

    If you find an injured adult mammal, conscious or unconscious, carefully contain it by placing a garbage can or recycling bin over the animal until help arrives.

  • Injured Bats

    If you find a bat, please refer to the Bat World Sanctuary webpage for guidance, then contact Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. for additional assistance at 413-275-9462.

We are staffed entirely by volunteers and are always interested in acquiring additional assistance with animal care, fundraising, and grant writing. We also offer summer internships for college credit! You can even help by donating items from our wish list or acting as a “host family” for wildlife releases!

 Furthermore, we are committed to addressing common misconceptions about wild animals and how to resolve issues with our non-human neighbors through educational outreach programs at local schools and universities. Please contact us for more information about these programs! 

We may be reached at: 413-275-9462 and on Facebook