Wildlife Rehabilitation

L.E.A.R.N. is a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility for reptiles and amphibians. We also rehabilitate sick and injured exotic animals.

We are NOT a veterinary hospital, meaning we cannot treat animals belonging to others. Whether an animal is wild or a pet, we can only treat it if it is surrendered to us. We will do our best to get the little critter feeling well again, but it probably will not be returned to you.

FOR REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, AND SMALL EXOTICS IN NEED IN LOUISIANA, CONTACT US AT (318) 773-9393

(Text messages are preferred.)

If you are bringing an animal to us, there is a form you will need to fill out. You can save time by downloading and printing it now.

Pet Surrender Form Wildlife Surrender Form

Birds and Mammals

We are not licensed to treat wild birds or mammals, but we can help you find someone.

Whether you are in Louisiana or somewhere else, we have information on the following pages to help you locate the appropriate resource.

Click here for Mammals Click here for Birds

If you have found a mammal or bird that is orphaned or obviously injured, the correct action is to bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator licensed for the type of animal needing help. Alternately, a licensed veterinarian in Louisiana can legally take in the animal for up to 72 hours for transfer to a licensed rehabilitator, if necessary (many states have similar laws).

PLEASE DO NOT REHABILITATE ANIMALS WITHOUT A LICENSE!

Not only could you get into a good bit of trouble, there are numerous aspects of wildlife rehabilitation that an untrained person cannot know, such as zoonotic diseases, diet, imprinting, fostering, release site choice and methods, and more. Following the rules is better for you, and it is better for the animal.

The Reason You Should Never Feed Injured or Orphaned Wildlife.

Additional Links

Texas Wildlife Rehabilitators by County Arkansas Wildlife Rehabilitators by County Global Assistance link at the IWRC Find a Rehabilitator - NWRA Index of state rehabilitator directories on OWRA Additional resources at Animal Help Now

If you have an animal that is not in distress, but you feel cannot remain where it is, such as a raccoon in your attic, the correct person to call in that scenario is a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.

The list of operators can be found here. Further information about resolving wildlife conflicts is available on the LDWF website.

Need A Vet?
L.E.A.R.N. recommends these:

Halcyon Veterinary Hospital in Bossier City

LSU Small Animal Clinic in Baton Rouge

Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana in Metarie

To locate a reptile vet in another area, visit arav.org

If you have another vet to recommend, please let us know.

Any veterinarian in Louisiana is licensed to take in wildlife for stabilization and transfer to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator within seventy-two hours.

Please note that wildlife rehabilitators are not funded by any government agency, but are just concerned individuals trying to assist wildlife, so please consider making a donation if you can.

We can't save every critter we come across, but we try to give every one we can a chance.

Please, if you cannot take care of your pet, do not wait until it is too late to get it help. It is much easier to take in an animal BEFORE it gets sick and keep it healthy.

As always, treating any animal that people bring us is expensive. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help us defray those costs.

Donate to L.E.A.R.N.