Dropped Off An Animal?

Read Below to find out What Happens Next.

Thank you for bringing an animal in need to a place that can provide help! 

As the “go-to place” in the region for help with injured or abandoned wild or domestic ducks, geese, swans, other water birds, song birds, various farm fowl and other farm animals, and many more, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue strives to provide top-of-the-line care for each patient. From helping individuals who have found an injured bird in the road to helping with major rescues necessitated by weather, hoarding, or neglect, CWR is frequently called upon by the public, animal control and other rescues. We continue to be majority volunteer-run, and many of the services we offer are done by volunteers, including receiving updates correspondence on an animal you dropped off. Please be patient and courteous!

Once an animal has been admitted to our rescue center, you can continue supporting their healing journey by making a care contribution!

What Happens Next?

  • If you dropped off an adult bird (waterfowl, poultry, or songbirds), our rehab staff will do a physical examination to assess the bird’s condition. If the bird has injuries it will be provided any necessary medical care to aid in the recovery process. Basic necessities such as food and water, and a clean recovery habitat, are also provided. After the bird has recovered, it will be reassessed for release. If the bird is considered wild, and releasable, it will be released back into the wild. If the bird is considered domestic, and adoptable, it will be placed for adoption. (The average cost to rehabilitate 1 bird is $100. Please consider making a donation to help cover the cost of rehabilitation for the bird you dropped off.) 

  • If you dropped off a baby bird (waterfowl, poultry, or songbirds), the baby bird will be fed by staff and volunteers every 20 minutes until the bird is old enough to feed on its own. Once the bird is old enough and able to feed on its own, it will be released back into the wild. (The average cost to feed 1 baby bird per day is $20. Please consider making a donation to help feed the baby bird you dropped off.) 

  • If you dropped off a raptor, we will have the bird transported to the Carolina Raptor Center.  

  • If you dropped off an animal that is not a bird, we will have the animal transported to a wildlife rehabber that is licensed and specialized for that species.

 FAQs

  • No, our facility is closed to the public. We fully understand your desire to see where your bird is treated, but in accordance with federal and state guidelines for rehabilitating wildlife, we cannot permit visitors. We also follow many biosecurity procedures for the safety of the animals in our care.

  • When you bring a patient to CWR, they receive an intake exam and ongoing medical care as needed from our qualified rehab staff, and services are provided at no charge. Updates are provided automatically through our record-keeping software RaptorMed.

    If you consent to a patient update via email during the intake process, you will receive an email shortly after drop-off from sender ‘RaptorMed.’ Be sure to check your spam/junk folder for this communication. The email contains a live link that will show changes to an animal’s condition as we enter them into the system, up until such time that they are released (for wildlife) or adopted (for domestics).

    *Updates are ONLY available for wildlife or abandoned domestics admitted into our facility. We are not currently giving updates on owner surrender animals.

    In the absence of an automated email delivery from RaptorMed, please reach out to updates@cwrescue.org. Emails are not answered daily due to workload, but they are answered a few times a week. During busy season (April-September), it may take slightly longer to receive an update. Please refrain from texting our hotline to inquire about updates. Our chat system is extremely busy with reports of incoming animals, and it is important that we give those messages priority! Thank you for understanding.

  • There are various ways that you can help! 

Inspired by your visit?

Become a CWR volunteer! There are volunteer opportunities with CWR for every interest and activity level. As a majority volunteer-run organization, our nonprofit relies on the kind hearts and helping hands of our selfless volunteers. Check out opportunities below!