Questions?
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we receive most often. If yours isn't here, use the emergency flow — it responds in 30 seconds.
What should I do right now if I found an injured wild animal?+
First: don't leave it in the open. Put it in a dark cardboard box with air holes, on a soft cloth. No food, no water (with some exceptions — check the species card). Then use WildSOS to find the nearest rescue center and call before you travel. Rescue centers prefer a heads-up call.
Can I keep the animal at home, even temporarily?+
No. Law 157/1992 prohibits keeping protected wildlife without authorisation. Picking it up to take it to a rescue center is rescue, not possession — but keeping it at home even one night without delivering it to a center can constitute an offence. Do the right thing: take it in.
Is the rescue center's care free for the person who brings the animal?+
Yes. Wildlife rescue centers are facilities contracted with the Regions or managed by public bodies. For those who bring in an injured animal, the service is completely free. You will never be asked to pay for the animal's care.
The rescue center isn't answering — what do I do?+
Call 1515, the national Forestry Carabinieri number, available 24 hours a day. They coordinate wildlife interventions across the country. Alternatively, search for another nearby rescue center on WildSOS — many have evening or night-time availability.
Can I give the animal something to eat or drink while waiting?+
Fresh water in a shallow bowl is fine for most species. Food is more complicated: it depends on the species and the animal's condition. Some common foods are lethal (milk for hedgehogs, bread for birds). If in doubt, give nothing — an animal can go a few hours without food, but cannot survive the wrong food.
How long does the animal stay at the rescue center before being released?+
It depends on the species and the severity of the injuries. A bird with a minor wound may be released within a few weeks. A raptor with a broken wing requires months of rehabilitation and flight training. An adult mammal hit by a car may stay at the center for 3–6 months. Centers provide updates to those who contact them.
Can I adopt the animal or keep it after it recovers?+
No. The goal of a rescue center is always release into the wild — not captivity. Animals that cannot be released (for example due to permanent disabilities) remain at the center as ambassador animals; they are not given to private individuals. Wildlife is not adoptable.
My cat brought home a bird that seems uninjured — should I take it to a rescue center?+
Yes, always. The bacteria in a cat's mouth (particularly Pasteurella multocida) penetrate even through microscopic scratches and bites invisible to the eye. A bird that seems unharmed after being caught by a cat can die of septicaemia within 24–48 hours. A rescue center can administer antibiotics that save its life.
I found a fallen nest or a lone chick — should I pick it up?+
It depends. If the nest has fallen but is intact, you can reposition it as high as possible on the same tree — parents return even if you've touched it (the myth that 'touching the nest causes parents to abandon the young' is false). If the chick is alone on the ground but looks healthy and the area is safe, wait at a distance for 1–2 hours — many young birds leave the nest before they can fly properly and this is normal. Intervene only if it is injured, cold, or in immediate danger.
How many rescue centers are in Italy? How are they updated?+
WildSOS currently has 87 verified active rescue centers distributed across Italy. Data is updated periodically by collecting information from elencocras.it and direct reports. If you know of a rescue center not listed, you can report it from the 'Add a rescue center' page.