Wildlife Rescue Numbers in Western Massachusetts
Wildlife in Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts includes the Berkshires, the Connecticut River Valley, wooded hilltowns, farmland, wetlands, ponds, and small cities such as Springfield, Pittsfield, Northampton, Amherst, and Westfield. These habitats support hawks, owls, songbirds, ducks, geese, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, turtles, deer, beavers, coyotes, and other native wildlife that regularly move through neighborhoods, roadsides, parks, school grounds, and backyards.
In spring and summer, many calls involve baby birds, young rabbits, and juvenile squirrels that may look abandoned even when a parent is still nearby. If there is no blood, no obvious broken limb, and no immediate danger, the safest first step is usually to pause, watch from a distance, and call for advice before you pick the animal up.
Key wildlife rescue numbers for Western Massachusetts
MassWildlife statewide contact
Main statewide MassWildlife contact for general wildlife questions, guidance, and referral anywhere in Massachusetts, including Western Massachusetts.
Call this number when you are unsure whether an animal needs help or which regional contact is appropriate. MassWildlife can help you decide the next safe step before you approach or move wildlife.
- Phone: 508-389-6300
MassWildlife Western District, Dalton
Regional MassWildlife office serving Western Massachusetts. Provides local information on wildlife issues and can direct you to nearby licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
Use the Dalton office for local guidance in the Berkshires and nearby western communities, including help finding the closest appropriate rehabilitator.
- Phone: 413-684-1646
- Address: 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton, MA 01226.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic, North Grafton
University-based wildlife hospital treating many species of wild birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians from across Massachusetts. Call before transporting any animal.
For injured birds, small mammals, turtles, and other wildlife, the clinic can advise whether veterinary care or transport is appropriate.
- Phone: 508-839-7918
- Location: 50 Willard Street, North Grafton, MA 01536.
MassWildlife Connecticut Valley District, Belchertown
Regional MassWildlife office serving the Connecticut River Valley and communities including the Springfield, Northampton and Amherst area.
This is a useful regional contact if you are in the central part of Western Massachusetts and need local wildlife guidance or direction to the right licensed rehabilitator.
- Phone: 413-323-7632
- Address: 341 East Street, Belchertown, MA 01007.
Massachusetts Environmental Police
State law enforcement agency responding to serious public safety concerns involving large wild animals, road hazards and other wildlife-related emergencies.
Use this line when the situation involves traffic, a crowded public space, or a large animal that could put people or drivers at risk.
- 24-hour line: 1-800-632-8075
Cummington Wildlife, Cummington
Licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Western Massachusetts with a current focus on songbirds, gamebirds and wild rabbits. Capacity and species accepted may vary by season.
Call before transport. Current guidance notes that ravens, crows and blue jays are not accepted, so species-specific advice matters before you make the trip.
- Phone: 413-695-6854
Dawndale Farm Wildlife, Bernardston
Licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Bernardston, serving parts of Western Massachusetts. Call ahead to confirm species and availability.
For people in northern Western Massachusetts, Dawndale Farm can advise whether an animal should be contained, observed, or transported.
- Phone: 413-768-9145
Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc., Springfield area
Non-profit, volunteer-run rehabilitator focusing on small mammals in Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Chicopee and Westfield.
For people in or near Springfield, this is a relevant contact for small mammals that appear injured, weak, or displaced after tree work, construction, or other nearby activity.
- Phone: 413-275-9462
Spruce Hill Veterinary Clinic, Springfield
Veterinary clinic whose veterinarians also provide licensed wildlife rehabilitation for birds, rabbits and other wild animals.
Call ahead before transport so the clinic can confirm whether it can accept the species and advise on the safest next step.
- Phone: 413-782-3183
For an injured bird rehabilitator in Western Massachusetts, a wildlife rescue number near Springfield or the Berkshires, or a wildlife hotline in Western MA, start with the contacts above. MassWildlife, Tufts Wildlife Clinic, or a licensed rehabilitator serving your area can usually tell you what to do next.
Wildlife coverage is regional, and species acceptance can vary. Some contacts focus on birds, some on small mammals, and some help mainly with advice and referral. That is why calling first matters. A quick description such as “injured hawk,” “baby squirrel on the ground,” “rabbit attacked by a cat,” or “wildlife hit by a car near Northampton” helps the right person decide what to do next.
Find the right wildlife help for your situation
Bird rescue in Western Massachusetts
A bird on the ground may be stunned, injured, or too weak to fly. If you are dealing with a hawk, owl, duck, goose, crow, songbird, woodpecker, pigeon, or another bird in Western Massachusetts, start by calling Tufts Wildlife Clinic, MassWildlife, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
If the bird is bleeding, cannot stand, is dragging a wing, or was hit by a car or window, call first and describe exactly what you see.
Young wildlife that may not be abandoned
Many baby birds, young rabbits, and juvenile squirrels are still being watched or fed by parents even when they are alone on the ground. If there is no bleeding, no obvious broken limb, and no immediate danger, call first and describe the situation before picking the animal up.
Watch from a distance for a short time, and keep children and pets away before deciding the animal has been abandoned.
Rabbit, squirrel, opossum, skunk, or raccoon
If you find a rabbit, squirrel, opossum, skunk, raccoon, or another small mammal that looks hurt, call before you try to transport it. The most useful details are where the animal is, whether it is bleeding or limping, and whether it may have been attacked by a cat or dog.
When you call, say what kind of animal it is, where you found it, whether it can move normally, and whether it is safely contained.
Wildlife near traffic or a crowded public area
If a deer, coyote, large bird, or another wild animal is on a road, near a school, or creating an immediate safety problem, call the emergency contact above as well as the regional wildlife numbers on this page. Give the exact location first, then explain whether traffic, people, or pets are at risk.
If the animal is on a road, near traffic, or creating an immediate safety risk, say that first so the call can be handled quickly.
Local help across Western MA communities
The contacts on this page cover Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Northampton, Amherst, Westfield, Greenfield, Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, and nearby towns. Near a regional boundary, more than one rehabilitator or district office may be relevant.
If you are near a county line or are not sure which area you are in, start with the closest contact and ask for the fastest local option.
Start with the fastest useful contact
If you are not sure which number fits best, start with MassWildlife, the Western District office, or the Connecticut Valley District office. Give the animal, location, and what happened, then ask whether a rehabilitator, wildlife clinic, or emergency contact should handle the next step.
A short description of the animal, its condition, and the location is more useful than feeding or moving it before you receive instructions.
Other wildlife regions in Massachusetts
If you live near a regional boundary or commute between areas, it can help to check two nearby regions. The closest available help is not always the one inside your county line.
When to call, what to watch for, and what to do first
- Check your safety first. Keep children and pets away. Do not corner wildlife, and do not try to grab a scared animal with bare hands.
- Look for clear signs of injury. Bleeding, a wing dragging on the ground, visible head trauma, trouble standing, labored breathing, repeated rolling, or inability to move away are strong reasons to call immediately.
- Notice the species and age if you can. “Small brown rabbit,” “young squirrel,” “adult hawk,” or “baby songbird” is often enough to help a wildlife hotline or rehabilitator guide you quickly.
- Write down the exact location. Town, street, landmark, trailhead, park, school, or roadside marker helps the right contact decide whether local pickup, transport, or observation makes the most sense.
- Call before you move the animal. This matters most for injured birds, turtles, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and opossums. The wrong container, the wrong food, or the wrong handling can make things worse.
- Do not feed or give water unless you are told to do so. People often mean well, but food and water can stress wildlife, worsen aspiration risk, or interfere with transport and examination.
- If the animal is young, pause before intervening. Many fledgling birds, cottontails, and juvenile squirrels are not orphaned even when they seem alone. If there is no immediate danger, call first and describe what you see.
- If the animal is creating a traffic or public safety problem, say that first. Wildlife on roads, in parking lots, around schools, or near crowds should be described as an active safety issue when you call.
When you call, give four details: the animal, the town, what happened, and the main sign of injury. For example: “injured hawk in Northampton with a wing dragging,” “baby squirrel in Springfield after tree work,” or “rabbit hit by a car near Pittsfield.”
FAQ: Wildlife rescue in Western Massachusetts
Who should I call for injured wildlife in Western Massachusetts?
Start with MassWildlife, the Western District or Connecticut Valley District office, Tufts Wildlife Clinic, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator serving Western Massachusetts. The best first call depends on the animal, your town, and whether the situation involves an injury, a very young animal, or an immediate safety problem.
What should I do if I find an injured bird in Western Massachusetts?
If the bird is bleeding, cannot stand, has a drooping wing, or is lying exposed near traffic, call first and describe the condition before you move it. In most cases, Tufts Wildlife Clinic, MassWildlife, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is the right place to start.
Is there a wildlife hotline for Western Massachusetts?
Start with MassWildlife, the Western District office in Dalton, or the Connecticut Valley District office in Belchertown. They can help determine whether the animal needs rescue, observation, or referral to a licensed rehabilitator.
How do I find a wildlife rehabilitator near me in Western Massachusetts?
Start with your town or nearest city and give a short, clear description of the animal and the problem. Tell the person on the phone where you are, what you found, whether there is bleeding or trouble moving, and whether the animal is near a road, pets, or people.
What if I find a baby bird, baby rabbit, or baby squirrel alone?
Many young wild animals are still under parental care even when they appear alone. If there is no blood, no obvious fracture, and no immediate danger from pets, people, or traffic, call first and explain what you see before you pick the animal up.
Can I bring an injured wild animal to a veterinarian?
Some veterinary clinics can advise on wildlife or provide initial triage, while others do not accept wild animals. Call ahead. A wildlife rehabilitator, MassWildlife, or a wildlife-friendly clinic can tell you whether transport makes sense and where the animal should go.
Should I give food or water to injured wildlife?
No, not unless you are given specific instructions. Food and water can increase stress, complicate handling, and sometimes make the animal’s condition worse.
What if wildlife is on a road or creating a safety hazard?
If the animal is creating an active traffic hazard or a serious public safety issue, say that immediately when you call. A roadside deer, an injured large bird, or wildlife in a crowded public area should be described as an urgent safety situation.