FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):

Subject- Rabbits:

What should I do if I find a nest of baby rabbits?

In most cases, the mother is somewhere, hidden nearby. She has not abandoned her babies. The mother comes only at dusk and dawn, when she is sure no predators are watching. The mother will stand over the nest and let the babies nurse. You should do nothing. Try not to disturb the nest in any way. If someone has removed the babies from the nest, gently put them back and make sure they are covered with nesting material.**

IT IS A MYTH THAT IF YOU TOUCH THE BABIES THE MOTHER WILL REJECT THEM.

This is true of all animals, even birds. The best chance they have of surviving is with their parents.

If you are concerned that the mother might be dead, there is a simple trick to see if she is still around. Take four sticks, about 8-10 inches long but not much thicker than a toothpick. Place them in a tic-tac-toe pattern over the nest. Check back in 24 hours to see if the sticks have been disturbed. If the sticks are too big, you won’t see a change. You can also place small pieces of a cotton ball in a pattern. If you find that the mother has not returned, CALL A WILDLIFE RE-HABBER.

If you have a pet that has disturbed the nest, make sure they don’t continue to disturb it. If the mother has made the nest in a completely inconvenient spot, and there is no way to keep the nest from being disturbed by pets or humans, you can relocate the nest somewhere nearby, and the mother will find it. The mother may also choose to move the nest herself if she thinks her babies are in danger.

When relocating a nest, pick a spot under a bush, or shrub. Dig a small hole, approximately 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Gently place all the babies, along with all of the nesting materials, fur, grass, woodchips, dirt, etc. into the new spot**. Then place the tic-tac-toe patterned sticks as mentioned above to make sure that the mother has found the new nest spot. Do not relocate babies more than 10 feet from the original nest area.

Sometimes, simply placing a lawn chair or table over the nest with a sign not to disturb for a few weeks will be enough until the babies are able to leave the nest on their own.

What should I do if I find a single baby rabbit?

If a pet has brought you a baby rabbit, examine it carefully for injuries**. If the baby is injured, CALL A WILDLIFE RE-HABBER. The baby rabbit should be placed it in a small, covered container with some bedding, and a heat source*. Make sure that there are air holes in the container. The container should be kept in a quiet place, away from air-conditioning or extreme heat.

Do not handle the baby rabbit unnecessarily. Do not force-feed the baby or put any liquids in it’s mouth, unless instructed by a re-habber. You may place some fresh grass or greens in the container and a small jar lid with water.

NEVER give a baby rabbit cow’s milk. The best thing to give them for a very short time is Pedialyte®. It should be administered warm and dye and color free.

Try to find the nest and put the baby rabbit carefully back.** If you are unable to find the nest, CALL A WILDLIFE RE-HABBER.

If it is necessary that a baby rabbit remain in your care for an extended period of time, make sure that you follow the re-habber’s instructions. This is especially important for their diet and the expression of their urine and feces. Baby rabbits that still have their eyes closed and their ears close to their heads are unable to urinate and often poop without manual stimulation. A baby rabbit that is unable to express urine will become bloated and be sickened by the toxins that build up inside it. You may see that the baby rabbit has been able to poop on its own, but it still needs to be stimulated.

What should I do if I find an injured juvenile or adult rabbit?

Place the rabbit gently in a box or container with a towel, old T-shirt or a blanket**. Keep the rabbit quiet and away from pets, children and air-conditioning, and anything that might frighten it. CALL A WILDLIFE RE-HABBER. You can place a jar lid with water in the box as well as fresh grass, clover, greens, apple slices or carrot tops.

*Examples of heat source are: A heating pad on low. A surgical glove or glass jar filled with hot water or micro waved for 3 minutes, wrapped in a dish towel.

A commercial heating pad. A hot water bottle.

**Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any wildlife.

Subject- Opossum:

What should I do if I find an injured Opossum?

If you find a baby opossum and you are not sure if it is too young to be on its own, you can place it in a deep container, possibly a clean trash can, using a blanket, net and / or gloves to pick it up. Give it a blanket or towel or sheet to hide in and call a rehabilitator to ask for further instructions, which may well be, depending on its size, to put it back where you found it if it is not injured.

If you find an injured opossum, or an opossum going in circles (it may be blind), you can follow the above instructions for containing it, or if you want to be more cautious, you can place a clean trash can upside down on top of the animal, making sure it will not over heat on a hot day, and place a cinder block or something heavy on top of the trash can so it cannot escape from underneath. Call a rehabilitator immediately for further instructions. If you do not reach someone in a reasonable period of time and you are concerned about the animal's well-being under the trash can, you can slowly inch the upside down can onto a flat piece of wood and then slowly tilt the trash can upright. Give the opossum a blanket or towel to hide under and wait for instructions from the rehabilitator.

If you find a healthy opossum that is stuck inside a trash can, and it has only been there for a short time, and is not covered with flies, and it is not a very small baby, you can tilt the trash can over slowly and allow the opossum to leave when it does not feel as though it is in danger (maybe an hour or more). If it looks injured or has been in water or is covered with flies, place a light sheet over the top of the can to keep flies off and call a rehabilitator immediately.

Always use caution when handling wild animals, being especially careful not to get bitten or come in contact with the animal's saliva.

Subject- Fawn:

What should I do if I find a fawn?

First, at a distance that will not frighten the fawn, look for ticks and infection on the fawn's eyes and ears and any serious injury. If you see a large number of ticks and any infection (oozing) from a wound or around the eyes, or any serious injury, then the fawn needs human intervention, even if it is not an orphan.

The best way to ensure that you will be successful in capturing a fawn is to gather as many people as possible, slowly surround the fawn, and loosely wrap a sheet around the entire body. Place the fawn in a quiet and dimly lit area that cannot escape from, and slowly remove the sheet. Once the fawn calms down, you can offer water in a non-tippable container and dandelion greens. Call a rehabilitator as soon as possible.

If the fawn looks healthy, stand back and look around for any adult deer that may be the mother. If you see an adult, and the fawn looks healthy, leave the area and go back a couple of hours later to see if the fawn is in the same spot. If it is, call a rehabilitator for further instructions.

If a fawn comes up to you crying and acting hungry, you should contain it and call a rehabilitator as soon as possible. You can offer it water in a non-tippable bowl container and dandelion greens. Do not give the fawn any cow's milk, but you can offer goat's milk only if the fawn does not drink water. Wait for further instructions from a rehabilitator before doing anything more.

Always use caution when handling wild animals, being especially careful not to get bitten or come in contact with the animal's saliva.

Subject- Birds

What should I do if I find an injured adult bird?

Determine by sight If the bird is injured (i.e.) broken wing, bird cannot move
Find a box that closes large enough to accommodate the bird.
Use a towel or sheet.
Approach the bird from behind and throw the towel over the entire bird’s head and body.
Place hands on each side of the bird where wings are folded in. Pick up and place In the box. Remove towel.
Keep the bird in box in a dark and quiet area away from indoor pets so the bird will rest.
DO NOT keep the bird outside. Depending on the injury, the bird might not be able to regulate body temperature.
Call the Avian Rehabilitation Center In your area.

Birds of prey use their feet to grab. If possible. use heavy gloves, throw towel over the bird, then place in box or carrier. Herons and egrets aim for eyes. If possible. wear safety goggles or keep face away from bird.

If you cannot contact Avian Rehabilitation right away, keep bird inside until you make arrangements with local rehabber.

What should I do if I find an injured baby bird?

Determine by sight If the bird is injured. (i.e.) torn wing, blood on bird. mauled feathers.

If there Is no foreseen Injury, do not touch the bird for about 2 hours. Wait to see if parents are feeding It.

If parents are feeding the baby bird, leave it alone.

If the bird seems too small to be out of It’s nest or not fully feathered, and there are no apparent injuries, try to find the nest and put the bird back In.

If the nest cannot be located for small bird, put the bird in a covered box inside the house away from indoor pets. Keep In separate room and keep It warm. Place a heating pad underneath the box on WARM ONLY.

If it’s a fledgling and seems injured, put in covered box In the house away from Indoor pets preferably in a separate room.

Call your local Avian Rehabilitation Center.

If you cannot reach anyone Immediately, keep the bird under those conditions until you do.

Subject- Raccoon

What should I do if I find a baby raccoon?

If you find a baby raccoon and you are not sure if it is too young to be on its own, you can place it in a deep container, possibly a clean trash can, using a blanket net and / or gloves to pick it up. Give it a blanket or towel or sheet to hide in and call a wildlife rehabilitator to ask for further instructions.

Any baby raccoon crying on the ground is in possible need of help, or if it looks injured or has been in water or is covered with flies follow the above instructions for containing it. Place a light sheet over the top of the container to keep the flies off then call a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

You may offer it water, or pedialyte in a non-tippable container. Do not feed an orphan milk or formula of any sort.

****Always use caution when handling wild animals, being especially careful not to get bitten or come in contact with the animal's saliva.****

What should I do if I find an injured young raccoon?

If you find an injured young raccoon, you can place it in a deep container, possibly a clean trash can using a blanket and/or gloves to pick it up. Give it a blanket, towel, or sheet to hide in and immediately call a wildlife rehabiliitator for further instructions.

If you want to be more cautious, you can place a clean trash can upside down on top of the animal, making sure it will not overheat on a hot day. Place a cinder block or something heavy on top of the trash can so it cannot escape from underneath. immediately call a wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.

If you do not reach someone within a reasonable period of time, and you are concerned about the animals well-being under the trash can, you can slowly inch a flat piece of wood under the upside down can, then tilt the trash can right side up. Give the raccoon a blanket, towel, or sheet to hide under and wait for instructions from the wildlife rehabilitator.

****Always use caution when handling wild animals, especially careful not to get bitten or come in contact with the animals saliva****

What should I do if I find an injured adult raccoon?

When finding an injured adult raccoon, do not touch or handle the animal unless extremely necessary.

Carefully get the animal in a secure ventilated container. As long as it is not a very hot day you may place a clean trash can upside down over the animal and place a cinder block, or something heavy on top of the can so the raccoon cannot escape underneath. Immediately contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

If you do not reach someone within a reasonable period of time and you are concerned about the animals well-being under the trash can, you can slowly inch the upside down trash can onto a flat piece of wood then tilt the trash can right side up slowly. Give the raccoon a blanket, towel, or sheet to hide under and wait for instructions from the wildlife rehabilitator.

If you find a healthy Young raccoon or and adult raccoon that is stuck inside a trash can or dumpster and it has only been there for a short time, and it is not covered with flies and is not a very small baby, you can tilt the trash can over slowly and allow the raccoon to leave when it does not feel as though it is in danger (it could take an hour or more). If the raccoon is in a dumpster, put in a thick tree branch, ladder or something it can climb on to get out.

If the raccoon looks injured or has been in water or covered with flies, place a light sheet over the top of the can to keep the flies off and call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

****Always use caution when handling wild animals, especially careful not to get bitten or come in contact with the animals saliva.****

Racoon Do's and Dont's:

In your chimney:

DO NOT LIGHT A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE. Most likely, there
are babies in the top of the chimney and they will burn to death. They
cannot run away from the fire and mother cannot remove all of them fast
enough.

DO PUT ON A LOUD RADIO at the bottom of the fireplace – more
than likely the mother will leave in a day or so and take her babies with
her. Once gone, cap the chimney so this does not happen again. This goes for raccoons in the attic as well. Give her a little time to find a new home for her babies.

Subject- Bats

What should I do if I find an injured or non-injured bat?

A Bat found on the ground, or caught by a cat or dog should be brought to a Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately. Scoop up the bat using heavy gloves or a towel, and place him in a closed box. Provide a cloth for the bat to hide in.

Never touch a Bat or any Wild Animal with your bare hands!

A Bat found flying in the house (usually in late summer) is most likely a juvenile bat which simply got lost. You can help him exit by closing the door to the room he is in, and opening all the windows (don't forget to remove the window screens). The bat will become active at dusk and find his way out.

If the bat has landed, you may capture him using a towel or heavy gloves, or place a small cardboard box or coffee can over the bat and slip a piece of cardboard beneath him. Release the bat outside at dusk. Place him high up on a tree trunk as it is difficult for a bat to take off from the ground. (This will also keep predators away from him until he becomes active).

***Watch to make sure that the bat is capable of flight*** If the bat cannot fly contain the bat using the previously described methods and bring the container with the bat inside to a moderately temperature environment. Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately.

A bat found in the house during the winter months (here in the Northeast) has been aroused from hibernation. Do not release the bat outside. Contain the bat and call a Wildlife Rehabilitator. Keep the container with the bat inside in a moderately temperature environment until it can be turned over to the Wildlife Rehabilitator. The bats condition will be assessed by the wildlife rehabilitator, and possibly hold him over the winter for a spring release.

Bats & Rabies:

You cannot contract rabies from bat guano; nor can you contract rabies simply from being in the same room with a bat (aerosolized transmission). If you find a bat in your home and you are certain that there has been no physical contact (a bite or scratch) you do no need post-exposure rabies vaccine.

If the bat is found in a room with a person who cannot reliably rule out direct contact (eg, a sleeping person, a child, or mentally disabled person) the bat should be tested for rabies.

Subject- Skunks

Do's and Don'ts:

To keep away from your home:

Do:

At night put on a light and leave on a loud radio. A motion
detector light is even more effective. If you know the path they are
taking, you can sprinkle it with pepper. They have poor eyesight and rely
on their sense of smell – this will deter them from coming around.

Subject- Ground Hogs

Do's and Don'ts:

Under the house or shed:

In the Spring, the babies are underground. Do not remove the mother! If you remove
the mother the babies will starve to death.

If you must, try to trap after Labor Day or even later. Do not re-release them near horse farms. Do not re-release them where there is no grass. Do not re-release them
near a highway. Consult you Wildlife Rehbilitator for more information.

Subject- Squirrels

Do's and Don'ts:

Squirrels start to have babies in late Winter/Spring and
have a second set of babies in later Summer/early Fall.

If you discover a hole in the soffett of your house, do be sure to tape a clear piece of
plastic wrap or paper bag to see if the mother is coming in and out to
feed her young.

Do not trap until after the mother and babies leave as they will eventually go away. After the squirrels have left, patch up the hole so this does not happen again. Otherwise, you will trap the mother and the babies will die. (You will have an offensive smell in your household if the babies are left to die). Consult your Wildlife Rehabilitator with more questions, or help on the situation.

Baby squirrels ALWAYS need supplemental heat. Place half a box with a soft blanket on top of heating pad on low.

Subject- Chipmunks

Chipmunks ALWAYS need supplemental heat. Place half a box with a soft blanket on top of heating pad on low. (More information on Chipmunks is coming soon)

Subject- Unwanted Wildlife- Removal, Trapping and Pest Control

For complete information on Wildlife Do's and Don'ts, CLICK HERE.

Subject- General Information

For general information on what to do when you find a hurt, sick or injured animal,CLICK HERE.