About Us
Who we are
A Community of Volunteers, Driven by Compassion
Helping Hands for Wildlife is a licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Connecticut’s injured and orphaned wildlife.Run entirely by volunteers, we care for hundreds of animals each year—everything from baby squirrels and bunnies to injured birds and opossums. Our goal is always the same: to give each animal the best possible chance to return to the wild.We also work to educate the public on how to safely assist wildlife in need and promote peaceful coexistence with the animals that share our communities.What We do
Rescue. Rehabilitate. Release.
Every rescue starts with a call from a concerned neighbor—someone compassionate enough to stop and help a wild animal in need. From there, our volunteers jump into action. We:Guide callers through those first critical moments: how to safely contain the animal and reduce stressCoordinate transportation to one of our facilitiesAssess and triage each animal upon arrivalStabilize animals with warming, fluids, and medications as neededCoordinate care with wildlife veterinarians and provide medical treatmentProvide round-the-clock care—cleaning, feeding, hydrating, and socializing—for weeks or even monthsTrack growth and behavior to ensure animals develop the skills they need to surviveRelease healthy, independent animals back into the wild once they’re ready
No two animals are the same. Some arrive injured, others orphaned—many require weeks of intensive support.We use everything from stethoscopes and scales to heating pads and syringes—but our most essential tools are training, experience, and compassion.Why we need you
Helping Hands for Wildlife is 100% volunteer-run. Many of us work full-time jobs while also feeding, cleaning, and caring for dozens of animals—every single day.We receive no state or federal funding. Every syringe, heating pad, bottle of formula, and enclosure is either supplied through donations—or from the pockets of our kind and committed volunteers and rehabilitators.Our ability to help more animals depends directly on:The donations we receiveThe volunteers who step up to lend time and energyThe community members who share our mission and raise awareness
Whether you give time, money, supplies, or simply help spread the word—your support makes a real difference for the animals in our care.Together, we can give Connecticut’s wildlife the second chance they deserve.You Make Second Chances Possible
