Found an injured or orphaned animal? We are happy to help!
Text or call us at 615-559-WILD (9453).
You may send a picture of short video of the animal you have found by text. Please note that all calls will go directly to voicemail. You must leave a message for us to help. Calls are returned daily from 9am to 4pm. Calls received after 4pm will be returned the next day. Please visit our emergency care instructions for overnight care.
Walden’s Puddle provides care and treatment to sick, injured and orphaned native Tennessee wildlife. We are a professionally-staffed wildlife rehabilitation facility in Middle Tennessee. We do not charge for services and receive no federal or state funding at this time. We are here to help wildlife in trouble. If you suspect an animal is orphaned, please observe to make sure its mother is not nearby.
If You Find A Wild Animal That Might Be Orphaned Or Injured
If you find a wild animal that might be orphaned or injured, call our Wildlife Admissions Line immediately at 615-559-WILD (9453) and LEAVE A MESSAGE. Please Do Not Email, We May Not Get Your Message In Time.JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
IF OUR ADMISSION APPOINTMENTS ARE FULL
In the event our admission appointments are full or we are at capacity, please contact these other licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators. Also, please read the related emergency animal care information on this website. Thank you for your understanding.
Lilliebirds Wildlife Rehab: 615-579-8801
Ziggy’s Tree Wildlife Rehab: 615-631-2205 for small mammals or (931) 841-9781 for song birds
Nashville Wildlife Conservation: 615-270-9009 (Turtles)
Please GO HERE for an extensive list of all permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators in all counties of Tennessee.
Latest News On Facebook
While they do indeed sound like tiny pterodactyls, these are actually blue jay fledglings! 💙 A few people guessed correctly...and a few of y’all didn't let us down with your confidently, beautifully wrong answers.
These aren't just any blue jays though, these babies are leucistic! It's a rare genetic condition that causes reduced pigmentation in the feathers. Unlike the more commonly known albino animals, leucistic animals still retain some pigment, which is why these babies have patchy coloration and a normal dark eye color.
True albinism is a complete absence of melanin pigment throughout the body, including the eyes, which can appear pink or red because the blood vessels show through when no pigment is present.
As long as these little ones continue developing normally, they’ll be candidates for release just like any other blue jay. Our goal is always to give every patient the best possible chance to thrive back in the wild. And while leucism is uncommon, it certainly isn’t a death sentence! There are documented leucistic blue jays surviving successfully in the wild, which means these babies still have every chance at a full, loud future ahead of them.
Guess this baby! What species do you think is making this sound?
(Bonus points for the most confidently wildly incorrect answers)
A tiny harmonica trapped in a human larynx played in backwards masking to an Aerosmith song.
Blue jay
Pterodactyl
Dramaticus bluejayasaurous
gremlin
Definitely a Forlorn Sloth!!
Blue Jay
Black‑bellied Whistling‑Duck
Human 😎 for the bonus
A Crow 🐦⬛
blue jay???
That's Buckbeak, the Hippogriff. He needs to be rescued and set free so he can save Sirius.
Baby Mocking Bird or penguin
Beaver?
A bird but I have no idea what kind
A bird. Maybe a Mockingbird or a Cardinal.
Baby bird for sure. Not sure what species though. 🤔
I know! They are such sweet babies
Opossum
That's a snipe. They like to hide under porches and in the bushes around the house. They are very elusive 😏
Skunk
Squirrel
Baby hawk
Pelican😆
Bunny
WALDEN'S PUDDLE ON YOUTUBE
IF OUR ADMISSION APPOINTMENTS ARE FULL
In the event our admission appointments are full or we are at capacity, please contact these other licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators. Also, please read the related emergency animal care information on this website. Thank you for your understanding.
Lilliebirds Wildlife Rehab: 615-579-8801
Ziggy’s Tree Wildlife Rehab: 615-631-2205 (small mammals) or (931) 841-9781 (song birds)
Nashville Wildlife Conservation/ 615-270-9009 (Turtles)
Please GO HERE for an extensive list of all permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators in all counties of Tennessee.
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