If your call has not been returned...

The primary reason for not receiving a call back is the caller leaving an illegible phone number.  Many people just don’t realize how fast they give their phone number on an answering machine and it can be very difficult to catch the numbers.

Getting an answering machine doesn’t necessarily mean that the volunteer isn’t home; most times there are just many mouths to feed, cages to clean, plus intakes of more rescued animals from the public.

Please keep in mind that we are not an agency; we're a network of non-paid volunteers who donate their time, money, and dedication to helping wildlife and certain domestic animals in need. During the spring and summer, we can receive 50-60 calls a day. Each volunteer handles the calls themselves…we have no staff to help out.

Please: 

If you’ve found a baby bird, go to our Nestling ID section to try to identify it as different volunteers handle different species.

When getting an answering machine:

• Give your phone number slowly and clearly at the beginning of the message.  
• Leave a brief message stating the problem.
• Include your major cross streets or what part of the Valley where the animal is located.
• Any of the volunteers listed on the phone message can help you find a rehabilitator for the species you have rescued.  Call the other numbers along with leaving messages.
• Repeat your phone number at the end of the message.  Call Waiting often beeps in over some of the numbers.
• Check the Panic Buttons for your particular problem.  If you have a rescued animal, follow guidelines until you receive a call back. 

Note:

• We have no staff to help out.  We don’t have a central facility; volunteers rehab from their homes and often juggle work and family responsibilities as well during the day. 

• Since different volunteers handle different types of birds, it is essential to identify the bird you have found so you can bring it to the appropriate rehabilitator.
• From woodpeckers to warblers, each bird species has certain caging and diet requirements.  Each volunteer focuses on the type of birds they handle and may not be set up with the correct housing and food for other species.  A volunteer who rehabs doves may be closer to you but not have the special formula and cage set for hummingbirds or Cactus Wrens.   Getting the bird to the right rehabber will ensure the best survival for the bird.
• Please remember that you are calling private homes, not an agency.  We appreciate your consideration to not call late at night or too early in the morning as we can not take in rescued animals during this time.