Please call us at 831-264-5427 or email us with your questions. You can also click the links below to learn more specifics about our most frequently asked questions. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN INJURED SMALL MAMMAL

If you find an injured small mammal like a squirrel, rabbit, gopher, mole, mouse, rat, chipmunk, weasel, opossum, or other small mammal (not a raccoon, please visit here to learn about raccoon rescue), that is unable to move, pick up the animal using a towel or blanket to protect yourself and the animal. Place the animal in a box or container that they can breathe in but not escape from and bring them to the SPCA Wildlife Center located at 1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway, across from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for help. The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is open for rescues from 8 am to 5 pm in the Fall and Winter (from September 1 through March 31) and from 7 am to 7 pm in the Spring and Summer (from April 1 to August 31). Please see below for what to do outside of these hours.

IF YOU FIND A SMALL BABY MAMMAL

If the baby is uninjured, please check for nests in the area or for a parent watching you. Attempt to reunite the baby with their parents. If this is unsuccessful, or if the baby is injured, please call us at 831-264-5427. The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is open for rescues from 8 am to 5 pm in the Fall and Winter (from September 1 through March 31) and from 7 am to 7 pm in the Spring and Summer (from April 1 to August 31). Please see below for what to do outside of these hours.

IF YOU FIND A BABY OPOSSUM OR DECEASED FEMALE OPOSSUM

If you hit an opossum with your car, or see one lying on the side of the road, and if it is safe to stop, please check on the opossum:

• If the opossum is alive but injured, please call us at 831-264-5427 during the day for rescue.
• If the opossum is recently deceased, and if you are in a location where you are safe from other vehicles, please check to see if the opossum is male or female. Their anatomy is easily apparent. If the opossum is female, use gloves and a towel, rag, or washcloth to gently open the pouch and check for babies. They can be as small as honey bees, but they will be pink and squirming. If you find babies, please call us for help at 831-264-5427. Please don’t attempt to remove the babies yourself as you could seriously injure their tiny mouths. Be sure to always wash your hands afterwards. 

Opossum babies can survive for several hours after their mother dies.

AFTER HOURS RESCUE

The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is open 8 am to 5 pm in the Fall and Winter (from September 1 through March 31) and from 7 am to 7 pm in the Spring and Summer (from April 1 to August 31).

If you find an injured or orphaned small mammal after these hours, safely contain them using a towel or blanket to protect the animal and yourself. Please place the animal in a box or container that they can breathe in but not escape from and put them in a warm, dark, safe, and quiet location for the night such as a bathroom or a warm garage. Please bring them to the SPCA Wildlife Center in the morning or call us in the morning at 831-264-5427. The SPCA Wildlife Center located at 1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway, across from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Please do not feed or water them as this could cause injury or death.