Baby Season Is Almost Here
What to Know Before You “Rescue” Wildlife
As the weather warms and spring settles in, New Jersey enters what wildlife rehabilitators call baby season—the busiest and most critical time of year for native wildlife. At Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, baby season brings an incredible surge in animals in need of help. At our peak, we can have up to 500 animals in care at once, and on especially busy days, we may see over 100 new wildlife intakes.
During this time, it’s common to encounter baby birds, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and groundhogs seemingly alone in yards, parks, or along trails. While the instinct to help is completely natural, many of these animals are not abandoned at all. Parents often leave their young hidden while they search for food, returning later when it’s safe. Observing from a distance is usually the best and kindest first step you can give the animals.
Before intervening, we strongly encourage the public to pause and call Cedar Run for guidance. Our trained Wildlife Rehabilitators and staff can help determine whether an animal truly needs care or if it’s best left where it is. Bringing a healthy baby animal into care unnecessarily can sometimes do more harm than good, as it removes the animal from its natural upbringing, causes stress, and reduces its chances of survival in the wild.
When an animal needs help, Cedar Run provides a free, 24-hour wildlife drop-off service 365 days a year. Our Wildlife Hospital operates 7 days a week from 9 am – 7 pm during baby season and 9 am – 4 pm during the off-season. While we are unable to go out for wildlife pick-ups, this round-the-clock access ensures that sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife can still receive timely, lifesaving care. It’s also important to note that we only accept New Jersey native wildlife; we are not permitted to care for domestic animals such as cats, dogs, chickens, or exotic pets.
What you may not know is that Cedar Run receives no state or federal funding. Every exam, feeding, medication, and enclosure is made possible through the generosity of our community. Baby season significantly increases the demand for supplies, staff time, and specialized diets, making community support more vital than ever.
By observing wildlife from afar, calling before acting, and supporting local wildlife rehabilitation, you play a crucial role in helping New Jersey’s native animals thrive. Together, we can ensure that this baby season is one of care, compassion, and successful returns to the wild.
If you have questions regarding native New Jersey wildlife or have found an injured, sick, or orphaned animal, please call our Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital at 856-983-3329 ext. 107.
