Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of good Samaritans dropping off and calling regarding lost and found pets and wildlife. It can be hard to know what to do if you lose a beloved pet, find a pet that seems lost, or find a wild animal in need of help. As an emergency and specialty hospital, our primary goal at The COVE is providing emergency veterinary care to pets in need, so we are often unable to accept lost pets or appropriately treat wildlife.
But there are lots of ways you can help! Read on for more information.
If You Find a Wild Animal in Need of Help
Review this information from the Virginia Beach SPCA about what to do if you find injured wildlife. Above all, be very careful about approaching injured wild animals to avoid further injury to them or yourself. There are many organizations dedicated to helping such animals, and we strongly recommend you contact them for assistance, since this is their area of expertise.
Hampton Roads/Peninsula/Eastern Shore Wildlife Hotlines:
- Alton’s Keep Wildbird Rescue: (757) 416-4098
- Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge: (757) 434-3439
- Nature Nanny’s Wildlife: (757) 714-5093
- Second Change Wildlife: (757) 323-6627
- Tidewater Rehabilitation (TREE): (757) 235-3189
- Tidewater Wildlife Rescue: (757) 255-8710
- Wild Baby Raccoon Rescue: (757) 650-3995
- Wildlife ER & Education: (757)-442-4774 or (757) 710-3637
- Wildlife Response: (757) 543-7000
Note: Do not attempt to “rescue” baby animals that you think are left orphaned unless they are with a dead adult. Baby animals such as fawns, rabbits, and fledgling birds are often left alone while their parents seek food nearby, and they should be left alone. Human interference can bring unintended harm to the animal and cause great stress to the animal and the mother, so do not touch them. Instead, call one of the organizations above for the next steps.
If You Have Lost or Found a Pet
In our area, lost pets should be reported to local animal control organizations. Additionally, there is a group on Facebook, Lost and Found Pets – Hampton Roads, where you can post photos of the lost or found pet and get information on next steps. This article from the Virginia Beach SCPA has additional tips, including what to do if you find a pet that seems to be lost.
Area Animal Control Organizations:
- Chesapeake Animal Control: (757) 382-8080
- Franklin County Animal Control: (757) 562-8605
- Hampton Animal Control: (757) 727-8311
- Isle of Wight Animal Control: (757) 365-6318
- Newport News Animal Control: (757) 595-7387
- Norfolk Animal Control: (757) 664-7387
- Suffolk Animal Control: (757) 514-7855
- Virginia Beach Animal Control: (757) 385-4444
We hope this information helps direct you on how to handle lost and found animals. If you have any questions, we’re just a phone call away at (757) 935-9111. The emergency service at The COVE is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
About Us
The COVE’s veterinarians and staff wholeheartedly embrace the core values of community, collaboration, commitment, compassion, and integrity. This focus ensures that pets, the people who love them, and their primary care veterinarians have as positive and affirming a healthcare experience as possible, regardless of the circumstances that bring us all together.