Identification is only the first step. The safest response depends on whether the animal is outdoors and passing through, trapped inside, denning with young, injured, or involved in possible human or pet exposure.
Start with distance. Keep children and pets back. Do not corner, chase or handle a wild mammal just to obtain a better photograph.
Work out whether it is actually inside. A squirrel on a roof or a skunk beside a deck is not proof that the animal has entered the structure. Look for repeated use of one opening, sounds, droppings or nesting material.
Do not seal first and investigate later. Closing an active entry can trap an adult or separate a mother from young. This is especially important around attics, chimneys, crawl spaces and decks.
Do not relocate wildlife off your property on your own. Massachusetts restricts capture and relocation. If removal is needed, use the correct legal route and a licensed professional when required.
Treat possible rabies exposure separately. A bite, scratch, direct bare-skin contact with a bat, or a bat found in a room where contact cannot be ruled out needs prompt public-health or medical advice rather than routine wildlife exclusion.
Escalate unusual behavior. Severe injury, inability to move normally, unprovoked aggression, an animal trapped in a dangerous location, or a large animal creating an immediate traffic hazard may need professional or emergency response.