Native Wildlife...
So Why a Native Wildlife Rescue?
Every year thousands of young wild animals are found by people. Many of these animals do not need to be rescued!! But some do...
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is the humane care and treatment of injured, diseased, or orphaned native wild species for subsequent release to appropriate wild habitats. Organized wildlife rehabilitation programs originated as an outgrowth of nature centers, zoos, and museums, as well as through the efforts of individuals, in response to public concern for animals in need.
Untrained People who Do Not possess proper Permits to House and Care for Native Wildlife should not attempt to do so. Each animal species require a specific nutritional diet. If these animals do not receive proper care and diet, they will die or suffer nutritional disorders. Other concerns is Imprinting of the animal. This occurs rather easily with raccoons and white-tail deer. Imprinting is when the animal loses its natural fear of humans and becomes too friendly to be released back into the wild. This is more often than not, un reversible - So Please - Do Not attempt to care for Native Wild Animals!
Also, it is illegal in the State of Ohio to house or care for wildlife without the proper permits. If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal you need to find a permitted rehabilitator as soon as possible. We can help with native wildlife in the Southeastern part of Ohio or help you find a local rehabber in your area. There is also some links on our Links page or you can try the Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association at owra.org. They have information on their site to locate a local rehabilitation center.
Wild Rescue One or Your area wildlife rehabilitation facility can help you decide whether or not to rescue a native wild animal. The following information will help you to assess a situation before you call.
ASSISTING YOUNG 
WILDLIFE:
If You Have Native Wildlife in Your
Possession and are Looking for Help - Do Not Email Us - Call Mike! Time is Very
Critical with Injured or Orphaned Wildlife!
Phone #: 740-704-2924
Am I an Orphan? An "orphan" is a young animal that is not able to care for itself and whose parents cannot be found or are known to be dead. If you find a healthy young animal that is able to walk and is fully feathered or furred, it may not need your help. Its parents are usually nearby. Observe the young animal from a distance for awhile before calling the wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Am I in Danger? Young
wild animals in danger do not necessarily have to be taken from the wild, just
protected from the danger. Pets and children are the most immediate hazard to a
young wild animal in your yard. Pets may attack the young animal and children
may cause injury by mishandling it. Some wild animals carry diseases. Keep pets
and children away from the animal while you assess the situation with a wildlife
rehabilitator.
Another danger is hypothermia. Nestling (infant) animals need to be brooded and kept warm by their parents. If a young animal is cold to the touch, tell the wildlife facility so they can advise you about what to do.
Am I Injured or Weak? If the young animal appears thin, weak or injured, it should be rescued and delivered as soon as possible to a rehabilitation facility. If an animal has been attacked by a cat or a dog, assume it is injured even if no injury is obvious. Pet attacks usually cause significant internal damage.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit - Eastern cottontails feed their young only at night. You will not find the female at her nest during the day. Rabbits leave the nest at a very young age. Rabbits grow and develop in a very short time. Their eyes open within 7 days and begin life on their own at 14 to 21 days. A small rabbit with its eyes open, ears standing up, and approximately five inches long is self sufficient and does not need your help. Rabbits also do not do very well in the care of people, so please think twice before removing wild rabbits from the wild.
Squirrels and Raccoons - Squirrels and raccoons will retrieve their offspring when they fall or wander from the nest. They also have alternate nest sites if one nest is destroyed. Give the mother raccoons and squirrels plenty of time to find and rescue their young before intervening. Care needs to be taken when dealing with Raccoons. Raccoons can carry rabies, distemper, Raccoon roundworm, and others that can be easily transmitted to you, your pets, or others - Please Do Not Attempt to Care for Raccoons - They Do Not Make a Good Pet - Plus, it is Illegal! They do breed Raccoons for purchase as Pets, if you desire a pet raccoon, please pursue this option, do not try to domesticate Native Wildlife!
Virginia Opossum - Opossums are
marsupials. Their young stay in a pouch on the mother's belly. Female opossums
that have been killed by cars may have live young in their pouch that need to be
rescued Normally as the young grow, become to big for the pouch they will ride
on their mother's back. If they fall off, the mother will usually continue on
her way with no regard to the fallen youth.
White-tailed Deer - A small fawn lying alone in a meadow is not necessarily an orphan! The female deer will protect her young from predators by leaving it alone in a secluded spot. A fawn in trouble will usually be wandering around making distressed sounds. Do not attempt to rescue a fawn until you have discussed the situation with a rehabilitation facility. Do not attempt to care for native white-tail deer. It is a special permit to rehabilitate deer and only those professionals that hold this permit should care for these animals. There is No rehabilitation of injured white-tail deer due to the extensive contact with humans during the healing process, resulting in an imprinted deer. Injured deer need to be humanely euthanized.
Songbirds and Birds of Prey - Nestling songbirds and birds of prey (hawks and owls) usually lack feathers or are covered with down. They are not yet able to perch. These young birds can be placed back into their nests if at all possible or a nest can be made and placed near the place that the original nest was, if the nest was destroyed.
When songbirds and birds of prey leave the nest they are "fledglings" and have feathers covering their bodies. They leave the nest before they are able to fly well and often are in danger due to introduced predators such as domestic cats. If possible, remove the danger and place the young bird under cover of shrubbery or on a tree branch. Watch from a distance to be sure the adult birds are caring for the young bird.
Waterfowl - Young ducks and geese are often separated from the rest of the brood as they follow parents to food or water. When you find a young duckling, note the location of possible places where the rest of the brood may be, then call a rehabilitator for advice on how to reunite the youngster with its family.
If interested in becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator, Visit the Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association's website at www.owra.org!!!
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