16 free rescue guides
What to do, situation by situation
Short answer
Animals
Injured dogs, cats and street animals
Road accidents, maggot wounds, heatstroke, newborn litters, large animals and wildlife indoors.
Injured street dog, cat or other animal: what to do
How to report an injured street dog, cat or other animal safely: what to observe, what to tell the helpline, and why an injured animal in pain should not be handled.
Read the guideDog hit by a car: what to do
A dog has been hit by a vehicle. Make the spot safe, call an animal rescue helpline, and move the dog only on a flat support that keeps its spine straight. Step-by-step emergency help.
Read the guideInjured cat: what to do
How to help an injured or sick cat: why a cat that lets you touch it is seriously unwell, how to wrap and contain one safely, and why paracetamol is lethal to cats.
Read the guideMaggot wound on a street dog or cat: what to do
A street animal with maggots in a wound needs a vet, not a home remedy. Why kerosene, turpentine and phenyl cause serious harm, and how to get the animal treated properly.
Read the guideFound newborn puppies or kittens? Read this before you move them
Most newborn puppies and kittens found alone are not orphans — the mother is nearby. How to check properly before moving them, and why cow's milk kills them.
Read the guideInjured cow, buffalo or other large animal: what to do
An injured cow, buffalo, bullock or horse needs a large-animal vet and usually a municipal team. How to make the spot safe, who to call, and why you must not approach the head or legs.
Read the guideHeatstroke in a dog or cat: what to do
Heatstroke kills quickly and kills after the animal looks better. How to cool a dog or cat correctly with tepid water, why ice water makes it worse, and when to get to a vet.
Read the guideSnake, monkey or other wild animal in your home: what to do
A snake, monkey, bat or mongoose in your home or society needs a trained rescuer, not a crowd. How to contain the situation safely, and why killing it is both dangerous and illegal.
Read the guideHow to transport an injured dog or cat to a vet
How to move an injured animal without making the injury worse: a flat stretcher for a dog, a covered carrier for a cat, the spine kept straight, and no food or water on the way.
Read the guideBirds
Injured, sick and fallen birds
First aid, baby birds, kite string (manja), window strikes, pigeons and safe containment.
Injured bird first aid: what to do before the rescuer arrives
Found an injured bird? Contain it in a ventilated box, keep it dark, warm and quiet, do not offer food or water, and call a rescue helpline. Step-by-step first aid.
Read the guideFound a baby bird on the ground? Read this before you pick it up
A feathered baby bird hopping on the ground is usually a fledgling being fed by its parents, and should be left alone. Learn the difference and when to call a rescuer.
Read the guideBird caught in kite string (manja): what to do
Manja injuries cut deep and birds hang for hours. Never pull embedded string. Cut the loose ends, leave what is embedded to a vet, and call a rescue helpline immediately.
Read the guideA bird flew into a window: what to do next
A bird that hits glass is usually concussed rather than dying. Contain it in a dark ventilated box for an hour, keep it away from cats, and get it checked before release.
Read the guideHow to tell if a bird is sick, injured, or just resting
Fluffed up in the daytime, eyes closing, not flying away when approached — the signs a bird is sick or diseased, what they usually mean, and when to call a rescue helpline.
Read the guideInjured pigeon: what to do
Pigeons are the most commonly rescued bird in Indian cities. How to handle string-bound feet, a grounded pigeon that will not fly, and when it needs a vet.
Read the guideHow to make a safe rescue box for a bird or small animal
A cardboard box, air holes punched outward, a soft non-looped cloth, and a closed lid. How to build and use a rescue box that keeps a rescued bird calm and undamaged.
Read the guideNeed a rescuer right now?
Mumbai animal and bird rescue helpline numbers, listed area by area.
Open the rescue helplineThese guides cover containment, transport and reporting first aid only — the same advice rescue groups give over the phone. They are not veterinary treatment and do not replace a vet. Any injured, sick or orphaned animal should reach a registered rescue group or a veterinarian as soon as possible.