Kindred Spirits Fawn Rescue, Rehab & Release
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Average intake of fawns with broken legs
Average number of fawns rescued per year
About Our Organization
Over a decade of caring for injured and orphaned fawns
A 501(c)(3) Organization
For the Love of Fawns
On behalf of our injured and orphaned fawn population, Kindred Spirits Fawn Rescue (KSFR) is a non-profit community-supported organization licensed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Our mission is to rehabilitate fawns with a goal of returning a healthy animal back into the wild.
Areas Served
We are located in Placer County California and also serve Yolo County, Nevada County, and Sacramento County. This area includes these cities and many more: Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Meadow Vista, Foresthill, Cool, Penryn, Colfax, Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay, Loomis, Grass Valley, Nevada City, and many more. If you have found a fawn please read the instructions below immediately.
Of Instinct and Environment
Rural growth and development has played havoc with the deer’s ability to reach water, fields and wooded sanctuaries while introducing noise and obstructions that challenge their instincts and the safety of their populations.
Ours is a duty to rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild the young caught and often injured between our two worlds.
Your Invaluable Support
KSFR relies 100% upon your generosity of donations and grants to prepare specialized diets, provide post-operative care and recovery assistance, and support a tranquil environment from human contact to foster vital peer socialization for release to the wild when ready.
24/7 Hotline
(530) 889-5822
How to Help a Sick, Injured or Orphaned Fawn
911 Fawn Rescue
Warning – Unintentional Abduction
Mother’s will often leave their fawns while grazing for food. If you are concerned the fawn has been orphaned please observe it from a distance for at least 4 HOURS before contacting Kindred Spirits Fawn Rescue.
Injured or Sick Fawns
If the fawn is clearly INJURED or SICK please CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY! Our service is available at NO CHARGE 24 HOURS a day, 7 DAYS a week. (530) 889-5822.
Temporary Care for a Fawn
Should you find this animal on the side of the road or a trail, the most important thing you can do for the fawn is secure it in a safe, dark environment. A dog crate or a large box will work as a temporary home.
Make sure the fawn is kept warm with a blanket and hot water bottle or sock filled with rice, which can be microwaved for 3 minutes then wrapped in a towel.
Please Do Not …
Do NOT give any food, water or medicine to the fawn. The fawn may require emergency care or anesthesia. Food or conflicting medicine could put the fawn at great risk.
DO NOT care for a sick, injured, or orphaned fawn yourself! Rehabilitating fawns is illegal for members of the public.
Rehabilitation & Release
Cohabiting with deer (Resistant plants and more)
Fawn season is almost here! You can help!
Make a Donation
$500 – $1000
Cost per fawn on average 3-6 mo rehab and release
Fawn Rehabilitation
A rescued fawn will spend between 3 to 6 months under our care before it is healthy and strong enough to be returned back into the wild.
Specialized Diets
Fawns have special dietary needs which vary by age and physical condition. We constantly re-assess fawns in our care to ensure we are meeting their nutritional requirements.
Maintaining Wild Instincts
If a fawn loses its natural caution around humans it may lose its ability to survive in the wild. This transition can happen quickly so it is important that the fawn be turned over to the professional organization immediately.
Tranquil Environment
Fawns become highly stressed around humans whom they view as predators. It is imperative that their environment while in rehab is quiet, void of domestic pet and human sounds and voices.
Socialization
Fawns are herd animals in need of interaction with others of their species. This is especially important for young fawns to insure that they learn communication and social skills which aid in their survival in the wild.
Ask us about our elementry school program
Once the diagnosis for treatment has been determined the fawn is placed in isolation to ensure that it is not carrying any disease that could infect the rest of the herd. The fawn is treated, fed and kept under observation for several days.
When the fawns are old enough to care for themselves and are in good physical condition they are released into the wild in accordance with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife regulations to an appropriate habitat that meets their needs.
Man-Made Risks and Prevention Tips
Be A Responsible Owner
Dog Attack
When allowed to roam fields and neighborhoods (especially after dark), a loved family pet often go on a rampage of destruction. They often join others forming a pack that can become predators to a passing fawn or deer. After the chase, a dog often loses interest and will abandon a mortally wounded deer. Although a fawn may appear to have a superficial wound, the injury may be fatal. The terror of the chase and capture will cause the fawn to go into shock, which is nature’s way of numbing the animal from a painful death. Dogs often shake a fawn, which causes air pockets under the skin that can result in a slow painful death. Kindred Spirits Fawn Rescue receives numerous fawns in early spring and summer that have been seriously injured by dog attacks. Please contain your dogs in a fenced yard or run, and never allow them to roam.
Wrought Iron
Fencing that Kills or Maims
Fawns — following their mothers — can’t yet jump over a fence so they will try to squeeze between the bars of a wrought iron fence. Their shoulders are narrower than their hips, so it is easy for them to get stuck halfway through. Fawns do not understand reverse so they will continue to push forward. This can cause serious injuries and paralysis. An effective fix is to install a 2 foot wide, tight-weave wire fencing material to the bottom of the wrought iron fence. This will discourage a fawn from attempting to go through. Sharply pointed wrought iron posts are an even more deadly threat to deer. When attempting to clear a fence, the deer may impale itself on the point, leading to their slow and agonizing death. There are decorative railings that can be installed along the top line of these fences to prevent such accidents.
Be Alert
…And Hold That Car Horn!
Deer travel the trails of their ancestors years after these trails have been disrupted by roads, fences, and private divides. The time of day, season and weather play a role in their routine as they are creatures of habit. Construction plays havoc with the deer’s ability to reach water, food and wooded sanctuaries. Simply put, they need to cross our roads to reach grazing areas or their young. Early morning hours and ‘dusk to dawn’ add to the risk of deer crossing the roadways. While deer recognize the immediate threat of an animal or human predator and will run for safety, they do not understand the threat of a fast moving vehicle, and honking horns do not register as a danger signal! They do not comprehend that the sound is coming from the moving vehicle, but instead interpret them as just sounds in the air. The deer will often stop in the middle of the road to focus on your car horn as a confusing sound. So please, slow down and stop if you must, but don’t honk your car horn to move a deer out of the roadway.
Our References & Care Partners
Amador Veterinary Services
Bayside Animal Hospital
California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Douglas Feed and Pet Supply
Robin L. Skillman, D.V.M.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue
Tri County Wildlife Care
Wildlife Care Association
24 Hour Hotline
(530) 889-5822
PO Box 1699
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Please Note: Our license requires that our rescue facility is not open to the public since our goal is to rehabilitate the fawns and release them to the wild with as little human contact as possible.
Please use our PO Box above when sending donations or correspondence, thank you!
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