Wildlife Rehab Center

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Q: Do baby squirrels carry any diseases of any particular concern?
I captured a baby squirrel that was injured (brain injury most likely) and am going to turn it into a wildlife rehab center in the morning - he seems to be calmed by petting with a paper towel. Is there any harm to myself from touching it with my bare hands to pet it? I'm pretty sure they don't carry any diseases of any concern as long as I don't like, stick my fingers in my mouth or anything but if anyone knows anything about this sort of thing let me know :)

A: Squirrels do NOT carry rabies, nor does any other rodent, including rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, or guinea pigs, nor do rabbits, even though those are not considered rodents. (The booklet put out by The Health Department stating this also says that no post-exposure shots are ever necessary after having been bitten, even though a lot of unknowing people do like to perpetuate this myth. -- Bitty baby squirrels don't bite anyway.)
Squirrels are virtually disease-free and are very clean little animals (though they do make big messes when they are older, IF they are healthy). They do NOT carry diseases transmissible to humans. They can get abscesses in 10 days to 2 weeks from biting each other but do NOT infect people when bites are sustained from mishandling the older babies or adults.

Cats do NOT infect squirrels, either, so no antibiotic is EVER necessary if a cat finds one, baby or adult, and brings it home. Sometimes the small scrapes or scratches found on babies are caused by his fall from the tree and what twigs he hit on the way down, not necessarily by the cat.

Q: Ethology question about owls: What does "Clack clack clack" mean? Also, what does eye blinking mean in a GHO?
{Great horned owl} I volunteer at a wildlife rehab center and we have a bunch of wild ones there, plus a few that are educational animals because they can't be released into the wild. I'm guessing that the clacking is a threatening sound, but I'm stumped about the eye blinking. My cats blink in a slow and sultry manner to show love. Why do owls blink at you?

A: Yes your right its a threatening sound.

Owl blink because it eyes to cleans and moistens the owls eyes.

Q: what are the requirements for opening a non profit wildlife rehabilitation center in California?
I have worked with wild/exotic animals for many years and am interested in opening a non profit rehab center for wild animals. I live in Sacramento and the one that I used to go to off Auburn road shut down. It is probably because they were non profit and had a lack of volunteers. But I know these animals need somewhere to go and am sincerely interested in this so please only answer if you can honestly give beneficial info. I don't need anyone to criticize me or put down my good intentions. Thank you very much in advance for any help.

A: Contact your secretary of state, most the information you need should be located there.

Q: What should I do with a baby bird-not a fledgling-to keep it alive until I can take it to a wildlife rehab?
I rescued the bird from my cat. It seems unhurt. I tried to put it back in a nest I made in the tree and it keeps jumping out. Judging from pictures on the internet, it is about 6-8 days old and not a fledgeling. Its feathers are too underdeveloped for flight. I know baby birds have to eat frequently-but I can't even get baby bird food from the store. My problem is that it is 12:30 at night-no place is open. If I were to leave it outside, it would die inevitably. What can I do to help it's chance of surviving through the night to be taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center?

A: Place him in a small box lined with paper towel - not cloth, as the bird's nails could get caught in the material. Make a small "nest" out of paper towel or tissue, to help the baby stay in the correct position and not be laying, splay-legged, in the bottom of the box. Punch some small air holes in the lid to the box, and cover the box securely. Place it in a warm, dark, quiet area. Do not allow any animals, children or excitable adults near it. Do NOT attempt to feed the bird - no injured birds should be fed before being evaluated by a medical expert. Do NOT attempt to give it any water - it could aspirate and die.

Do NOT leave a dish of water in the box - the baby could fall into it and drown. Do NOT give it any milk - birds are not mammals, they do not drink milk, and they can not digest the lactose in milk and milk products.

Make sure you contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator asap - you can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm or here: http://www.wildliferehabber.org/

Tell them that the baby is not only out of the nest too soon, but that it is the victim of a cat attack. It will need a course of antibiotics to survive, as a cat's saliva contains bacteria that is deadly to birds.

Q: Wanting to open own animal clinic? What education do I need? ?
What type of schooling do I need if I would like to open my own clinic, possibly a wildlife rehab center?

A: You need to go to college for four years for Pre-Veterinary school, then four more years for Grad school, but only if you want to work on the animals and all that stuff...so 8 years or school. Unless you want to hire other Vets... hope this was helpful... AND YOU DO NOT NEED A BUSINESS DEGREE... my entire family consists of multi million dollar businesses that have been unbelievably successful... NONE of them have business degrees...trust me..

Q: I have a baby wildlife rabbit! I don't know what to do!?
I have three cats and one dog. One of my cats is an outdoor cat and she keeps bringing home dead or half alive animals. A few days ago she brought in a baby sparrow that my mom and I tried rescuing but it died! Today she brought home a half alive baby rabbit! It's breathing fine.. but.. it looks like one of it's legs is damaged! It can't sit straight, it lays weirdly because for some reason the legs are screwed up or something. :( I took it to the vet but they said they didn't accept wildlife animals. So then, they gave me a few numbers of wildlife rehabilitation centers around my area but none of them worked. -_- They didn't seem to care much. :( So next I went to the pet store and they told me to give it some goat milk so I bought that and some droppers and tried to feed it but it didn't seem to want any. So right now it's in my room and it's still breathing but I don't know what to do! I don't want it to die. :( I've been trying to call wildlife rehab centers all day but no one seems to pick up so I left some messages. :( I was willing to pay the vet but even though I'm only 16 and I don't make much money but yeah I don't know what to do! :(
Oh yea! And it still has the white star on it's forehead! D:
From reading descriptions online I believe it's over 17 days old... D:

A: Vets usually do not or will not handle wildlife......There is a book called..MY ORPHANS OF THE WILD, by Rosemary K. Collett with Charlie Briggs...if you can find a copy at the local library, it is a old book,but packed full of info for wild animal rescues. Rabbits are vegetarian,(strictly) so feed for now.............this is an EMERGENCY ONLY FORMULA for infant rabbits,,1/3 cup evaporated milk,2/3 cup cool boiled water,2 drops Zymadrops vitamin supplement (liquid baby vitamins) , blend on medium for 20 seconds. For tiny rabbits feed every hour...for others feed baby food carrots and small pieces of lettuce and a small bowl of oats or baby cereal...BITE WOUNDS can br treated with PANALOG Ointment(check with your vet) and kept quiet and warm in a box with a fuzzy, soft blanket...Keep them quiet as they have a high death rate. I hope this helps. if you need more info email me.

Q: I have an injured bird in a box! What do I do?
The bird was hoping on the ground with what appears to be a wing injury. It might also be a head injury. right now it is in a shoebox lined with a cotton towel. There are no wildlife rehab centers any where close to me. What should I do?

A: if its really injured than it would stay in one place without talking, well mostly not active. u should let it rest, and give the bird some seeds or go outside and get some ants. dont try to hold the bird, since it might make it worse! if its a baby bird, than give it a little big of bread soaked in water. feed it with tweezers.

Q: Wildlife rehabbers?
I'm 15 right now and interested in pursuing a career working in wildlife rehab. It's something I've been dreaming about ever since I was little, though I now have a better understanding of the dedication, sacrifice, and how emotionally tiring it can be.

I have a few questions though:
1.) Generally, at what age can I start volunteer work (no matter how miniscule)? I'm planning to call my local private rehabber, but I don't want to sound like a moron if I'm too young.
2.) What happens to the animals that can't be released? I know some are euthanized and others are used for education. What determines this?
3.) What veterinary school has the best programs available in wildlife medicine?
4.) How hard is it to get an internship?
5.) If I have a degree in veterinary medicine & work at a rehab center, will I make enough to support myself?

I feel like I'm missing something. Well, if I think of it, I'll add it.

A: First off, I think it's wonderful that you are interested in this type of work. Don't pay attention to the last poster who said that people shouldn't work with rehabilitating wildlife. They are ignorant and should know that the main reason why wild animals get hurt is because of HUMANS and we actually CAN be helpful.

1. The wildlife rehab clinic I work for requires that you be 18 or older. You can work there at age 16 if you have parental consent.

2. The animals that can't be released usually are euthanized or put into public education. Determination of whether or not they can be used as pub-ed animals depends on the species and whether or not we (or other institutions) need more pub-ed animals.

3. I'm actually trying to get into veterinary school to be a small animal vet, so I can't give you much information on wildlife medicine. You probably need to find a vet school that focuses on exotic animals.

4. Getting an internship shouldn't be too hard. You can take it for college credit (in which case you'll need a professor to sponsor you) or you can work something out with the organization's director if you are not in school. Just be dedicated and responsible to do the work required.

5. I think you'll make enough to support yourself. You'll have a very special skill that many people don't!

Q: I found a Baby Blue jay and i don't know what to feed it.?
i know i'm supposed to give it to a wildlife rehab center and just need to know what to feed it and do with it till then. i just gotta know what I can do with it until then.

A: If this blue jay has all/most of his feathers, he's not a baby. He is a fledgling. Baby birds fledge (leave the nest) several days before they can fly. They hop around on the ground and climb low branches until their wings are strong enough for flight. The parents continue to feed the fledglings until they are able to care for themselves.

If it is a fledgling, you need to put it back where you found it so mom and dad can continue feeding it properly.

If it has mostly fuzz, and few/no feathers, it is a nestling, and needs to be returned to the nest. Birds do not reject their babies if a human has handled them, so don't worry about that.

If you can not return it to the nest, then get it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center asap. It is illegal in the US to have most native wild species, including blue jays, for even a short time without the proper permits. If you are having trouble locating one, try here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

Until then, keep it in an escape-proof, well-ventilated box. Keep him warm and quiet - no pets or noisy children around him. You can place a dish of seed in the box, and see if he is feeding himself yet. If not, try some very well moistened dog food. Place it on the tip of a very small spoon - not the round end you eat from, but the smaller end, and see if he will grab it. If you have to truly hand feed him - dropping the food into his mouth - it is best not to do that without having been trained, or at least watching someone do it. When I was a volunteer at the Avian Rehabilitation Center, we had a volunteer start to hand feed a baby without the proper instruction, and she almost killed the bird, who aspirated some of the food.

Good luck with him!

Q: Rehabilitating rabbits?
Not going to go into the full story, but my girlfriend and I have been rehabilitating baby bunnies (confirmed their mother abandoned them). Everything has been going great (we got lots of information from the local wildlife rehab center), only now we're getting to the release date. We plan on releasing them within the next week or so, but I had a few questions I wanted to throw out there.

A: Is it a good idea to keep them on an alfalfa substrate so food is readily available (they're already eating it)?
B: When should I stop hand feeding them (using an eyedropper)?
C: When should I stop feeding them formula?
D: How do I keep them hydrated? The alfalfa/timothy hay is dry, and they keep spilling their water dish. I don't want to give them a water feeder, because they'll get used to it and not be able to find water in the wild.
E: Any other tips on what I should do to prep them to go into the wild?

A: A: yes thats fine
B: when they are a few weeks old
C: when they are a few weeks old
D: get a better bowel thats wider
E: dont handle them to much and aside from that it sounds like your doing great!

Q: I found a baby hummingbird?
I am bringing it to a wildlife rehab center tomorrow. (they were already closed closed when I found the bird.) In the meantime, how do I care for it? How do I give it protein? Is baby food okay? I have a jar of beef baby food with beef, corn starch, and lemon juice. Thanks!

A: Hummingbird are very hard to care. Just give it 1 cup of sugar for every 4 cups of water and it's fine. If you could, you can also get some bugs, but it isn't necessary. Don't try to feed it anything else you listed above, it will kill it. As long as you keep it safe with the right food, it should survive.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of good luck!!!

Q: baby bunnies...HELP?
there is a nest of baby bunnies in my backyard. i think the mom has abandoned them & there was already one dead laying outside the nest :(......wat do i do???? should i wait to make sure the mom did abandone them, call the wildlife rehab center, or wat??????
i didnt touch any of them, not even the nest. i went out there this morning & seen that one laying there & then i seen the nest & i seen atleast 2 still in the nest

A: wild mommy bunnies don't sit on the nest, or it attracts attention to their pups. I would remove the one dead one, (maybe a cat got it.) and leave the rest alone. The mom will sneak up, nurse them, cover them up with grass etc. and run away throughout the day/night.

90% of baby bunnies do NOT survive in wild life re-hab. They reallllly need their mommy.

If they all start dying, go ahead and call wild life rescue, otherwise, they will do better out back with mom.

Q: do rabies vaccines hurt?
more specifically, are they more painful than an average shot? I would like to volunteer at a wildlife rehab center.

A: OH NO THEY ONLY HURT WHEN YOUR A PUP!!

Q: Injured baby robin -- help!?
I have a baby robin that is injured -- its wing bones are intact, but it looks as if a large chunk of feathers has been bitten out of the center of its wing. It moves both wings very well, and jumps around inside the large plastic tub I have him in (I had him in a cage, but his wings kept slipping between the bars and I was concerned they were going to get stuck and get injured/broken). Obviously I have to get this little guy to a wildlife rehab center tomorrow (I found him today), but still, I'm curious. How long will it take for those feathers to grow back? What is his future prognosis? His energy level is great, as is his appetite (I'm feeding him earthworms, raspberries, and canned cat food), and his eyes are bright. What else should I do until I can take him to an expert? Thanks!!!

A: Keep him in a quiet place away from people, pets and noises to keep him calm. I had an idiot neighbor kill a bird I was trying to help once by letting her kids into my shop where they watched it and scared it all day.

Call your local wildlife center first thing in the morning. If the baby isn't really hurt the best thing to do it get him back to his mom if at all possible.

Q: Injured turtle laying eggs, what should I do?
My brother hit an Eastern Pained Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) with his car today and the front of her shell is cracked and there is a fair amount of blood. The wildlife rehab center is closed right now but we looked online and just bandaged it up. Then she laid an egg... so now we have a possibly dying turtle and her egg in a box in the garage. The box is filled with damp moss and leaves. I'm taking her to the rehab center tomorrow, but is there anything else we should do right now? It's very sad to watch and help is much needed/appreciated. Thank you!

A: If you rotated the egg, it is probably dead. Place the box in a plastic bag, seal it. and leave it on top of the refrigerator for a couple of months.