HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — We are now at the time of year when you could come across fawns who may appear they need human help. But in many cases, these fawns are just fine.

A local mountain wildlife sanctuary steps in to help when needed, but also wants the public to know when and when not to intervene.

Summer is the time of year for newborn fawns. Gwen Landt at the Edith Allen Wildlife Sanctuary near Canton says it can be a dangerous time for them, and many end up at the sanctuary.

“In one and a half months, 77 fawns have come through this door,” Landt said. “If they’re wounded, we fix their wounds, we splint their legs.”

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Each of the fawns is fed to regain strength, and when they are ready, they graduate to the Kindergarten section.

All this is labor of love for the Landt family; however, they want to advise the public on when to call the sanctuary for guidance regarding baby fawns who may need help.

“I want you to start taking a video of it so that I can see what kind of condition the fawn is in, because I can tell by looking at the pictures and video whether a fawn needs to be brought to me or it needs to be left to its mother. I can tell by their stomach whether they’ve been fed,” said Landt.

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Landt says fawns are often left by their mothers for long periods, but that doesn’t mean they are in distress.

“If the fawn is injured, it has to come in because its mom can’t fix its wounds,” she added.

Landt describes herself as a teacher instructing the public and leading fawns needing rehabilitation through grade levels.

The fawns go from the incubator to kindergarten, and then they come to the fawn barn. Then, it’s on to high school, with plenty of food, but minimal human touch. Following this is the ultimate goal: releasing the rehabilitated fawns back to the wild.

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“It takes a community that donates food. They donate gravel for the driveway. They donate food, cash funds, in-kind gifts, cleaning supplies,” said David Landt with the sanctuary. “We get no funding from the government or anyone. It’s all donations, either from the community or foundations. There is no paid staff whatsoever. Everything we receive goes to the animal care. We have a website they can go on and donate[…] We have a wish list of items that we need.”

It’s a long-standing commitment in the Landt family.

“We just thrive off of helping the animals. That’s what it’s all about,” David Landt said.

Anyone with questions or needing help with a fawn can call Edith Allen Wildlife Sanctuary at 828-646-8639.