Good Advice: What To Do If You Find A Fawn

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Well-meaning animal lovers may be making a mistake if they try to rescue a fawn they find alone.

"We understand that people have good intentions and in some cases, the baby does need help, but if the baby looks clean and comfortable, leave them be," said John Bergmann, director of the Associated Humane Societies Popcorn Park Animal Shelter.

This is the season when the shelter received numerous phone calls about fawns they think have been "abandoned" by their mothers when they haven't, Bergmann said.

"We have people put the fawn in their car and bring them to us or bring them home and try feeding them milk and then calling us," he said. "Imagine that mama deer, having to watch her baby being hauled away by a human, or returning at the end of the day to find her baby gone?"

That's what happened to the little fawn in the picture, being cuddled by a Popcorn Park staff member, he said.

"Obviously if a fawn looks injured, starving, or in danger in any way, then please call us at Popcorn Park or your local Animal Control," Bergmann said.

Photo: Courtesy of Associated Humane Societies Popcorn Park Shelter