Humans have a natural desire to help those in need, especially when it comes to animals.  

However, an act of kindness could turn around and bite you if you decide to take in and care for a wild animal. 

Although, if you find a distressed wild animal, that doesn’t mean you can’t help it and also keep yourself and your home safe.  

Taking home any kind of wild animal comes with a long list of risks that you could expose yourself, your family, and your pets to.  

“Different species can carry different diseases. Wild animals could always have parasites so we’re talking about fleas, ticks, mites... raccoons carry roundworms which can be fatal as well,” says Natalia Slipak, a certified wildlife rehabilitator and clinic manager with Salthaven Rescue. 

She stressed that there are multiple different kinds of diseases like rabies that different animal species can carry.  

If you find a wild animal that’s injured or in distress, Slipak advises to leave it alone and not touch the animal even if it looks to be in dire need of help. 

If an animal seems comfortable with you picking it up or petting it, it’s not a good sign. 

“Wildlife sees all humans as predators. They are not comfortable. They do not want anyone petting them and enjoying them. They’re probably terrified and they’re in shock,” says Slipak.  

If the animal seems comfortable with you it means the animal is very weak and possibly sick and unable to protect itself.  

The first thing you should do is call for help and advice. While you’re on the phone, organizations will ask you questions to assess the situation, give directions on what you can safely do for the animal, and they will send an available conservation officer to handle the situation professionally. 

Calling your local animal rescue is the best option but if you don’t have a local rescue, you can call the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan at 306-242-7177 or the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation at 306-692-8812. If there’s no immediate answer, leave a message and either organization will get back to you as soon as possible.  

Salthaven Rescue is a national wild animal rescue and it has a base in Regina. It’s the closest wild animal rescue and rehabilitation center to Moose Jaw. They can be reached directly by calling or texting 639-999-4957.