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.
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While we strongly discourage feeding wildlife, some people asked whether it’s okay to leave out a water source, and yes, it absolutely can be!
The important part is making sure it’s maintained responsibly so it helps wildlife instead of unintentionally harming them. What to know:
💧 Change the water daily
💧 Scrub bowls or bird baths a couple times a week to help reduce bacteria and disease spread (and rinse any cleaner out thoroughly!)
💧 Use shallow dishes or add rocks/sticks so smaller animals can safely climb out
💧 Place water near natural cover when possible so animals don’t have to fully expose themselves just to get a drink
Cities are often noticeably hotter than surrounding natural spaces because of something called the urban heat island effect. Trees, soil, and plants naturally help cool the environment through shade and moisture, but when those natural surfaces are replaced with asphalt, concrete, and buildings, those materials absorb heat from the sun and radiate it back out.
That means roads, parking lots, and sidewalks can become dramatically hotter than the surrounding air temperature, creating much harsher conditions for wildlife trying to avoid overheating and dehydration during our brutal summers.
So that means even something as simple as a plant saucer filled with fresh water can make a big difference for native wildlife!
We have a nest of three baby robins and I am concerned that as they grow they’re going to fall out. we already lost an almost newborn due to falling out of the nest. What do we do if one falls out?
Yes always keep a fresh bowl of water out, daily, for wildlife and of course stray kitties! Also if you have a bird bath (or pots or trays that collect water) make sure you refresh the water so it doesn't breed Mosquitoes. This allows Birds and other critters to have fresh water as well.
strongly discourage feeding wildlife....bird feeders are bad?
I just love your place
Beautiful baby eastern blues
Also, VERY important to put the water in the shade, especially from later morning through afternoon. The birds and animals need the coolest water possible. The sun can heat it up way too warm, even pretty hot.
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.
Thank you for the full update and education. I was wondering if these little cuties were going to be eligible for release with leucistic coloring
They are beautiful!
They're cute, noisy but cute! LOL
Janet Moore Mabry
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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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