If you find an injured wild bird or other wild animal, your first response is to help. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Unless you are a trained and licensed animal rehabilitator, any action you take may endanger the animal as well as yourself. Moreover, you may be in violation of Federal or state wildlife management laws.
Helpful Links:
- Animal Wildlife Rehabilitators
- Helping Sick, Injured or Orphaned Wildlife
- More Tips on How to Help without Hurting
- Help for Sick, Injured or Dead Bird
Below we have provided information on specific wildlife rehabilitators in Illinois. Please be sure to call these facilities for advice PRIOR to attempting a rescue!
Northern Illinois
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors are an all volunteer, hands-on conservation effort for migratory birds. CBCM works to rescue birds injured from striking buildings and to mitigate the risks of bird-building collisions by educating the public and working with building managers and architects to find solutions.
Phone 773.988.1867 or website
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation (Cook and Lake Counties)
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning fully rehabilitated wildlife to its natural habitat. Flint Creek promotes respect for wildlife and wildlife habitats through public education programs. Flint Creek also supports efforts to repopulate endangered and threatened wildlife species.
Phone 847.842.8000 or website
Fox Valley Wildlife Center (Kane County)
The Fox Valley Wildlife Center is a private, not-for-profit organization in Elburn, Illinois, that cares for orphaned and injured wildlife. The FVWC is state and federally licensed, and is the only rehabilitation center in Kane County. They provide hospital care for wild animals with a goal to release these animals back into the wild because they deserve a second chance. Hours of Operation: April through September open for animal intake from 9:00am-5:00pm every day. October through March open for animal intake from 8:00am-noon every day.
Phone 630.365.3800 or website
Willowbrook Wildlife Center (DuPage County)
Willowbrook Wildlife Center is a wildlife rehabilitation and education center operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Their goal is to provide rehabilitation to native and passing migrant wildlife of DuPage county and education on the biological and ecosystems current and native to this area. They achieve these goals through their rehabilitation facilities and educational staff. Willowbrook is open 7 days a week (closed major holidays) and phones are answered between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Phone 630.942.6200 or website
Central Illinois
Illinois Raptor Center (Decatur)
The purpose of the Illinois Raptor Center is to ensure the well-being of native animals through wildlife rehabilitation; to increase conservation awareness through educational outreach; to contribute expertise and support to conservation partners; and to improve our understanding of wildlife health through hands on research.
Contact: 217.963.6909 or website
Southern Illinois
TreeHouse Wildlife Center (Jersey County)
TreeHouse Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife and the educational promotion of environmental stewardship and awareness. Established in 1979, TreeHouse has been serving the southwestern Illinois community for over 30 years as a legal and professional resource for those who encounter a wild animal in need.
Phone 618.466.2990 or website