There is a statement in the closing credits: "No raccoons or tree creatures were harmed during the making of this film."
There is a statement at the start of the closing credits: "The Guardians of the Galaxy will return." Accompanying it is a scene of Groot dancing to Quill's music. The Guardians' next appearance in the MCU is in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).
There is a scene at the end of the closing credits: Tanaleer Tivan sits amongst his wrecked archives and is comforted by Cosmo... and mocked by Howard the Duck. The scene is followed with credits for Howard's creators.
The opening credits are played over Star-Lord retrieving the Orb on a distant world, while he listens to "Come and Get Your Love" on his Walkman.
The Marvel logo appears as young Quill is taken into space.