[HOME] [ABOUT US] [SCWRC NEWS] [HELP FOR WILDLIFE] [EDUCATION INFO]
[SCRAP BOOK] [IDEAS] [LINKS]

Help for Wildlife

This site is for those looking for help when they find wildlife that is injured, orphaned, diseased or in some other distress. This information is for temporary care until a licensed rehabilitator can be contacted. Always remember that wild animals are living creatures, not toys for our amusement. They need special care and handling in order to ensure their successful release to the wild.

Birds and Mammals: when they need help

• If it is young, wait and watch to see if the parents are nearby before you interfere. If the parents fail to return after 1 or 2 hours (depending on weather conditions), then rescue it.

• Rabbits only feed their young twice a day, so put a stick or straw on top of the nest and check to see if has moved well after sundown. If it hasn't moved after 12 hours (again depending on weather conditions) then rescue the young. Orphaned rabbits are very difficult to raise, so do not interfere if it isn't necessary.

• When you find young out of the nest, try to return it if at all possible. ALL parents will accept their young no matter how they smell, and a bird's sense of smell is very poor anyway.

• If the animal is injured or diseased rescue it immediately by placing it in a box, paper bag, or other container with AIR HOLES. Keep it in a warm (75 to 85 degrees), dark, quiet, safe, place. Use paper towels for the floor, don't use the old nest as it may have mites, and don't use grass as this will draw the body heat from the animal. Call for help immediately!

NEVER:

• Feed or water an animal unless specifically told to by a qualified Rehabilitator.
• Hold an injured or orphaned animal, this causes extreme stress. Some animals may seem to lie still when held, however this is how they respond to extreme stress, this can worsen the animals condition and this can kill them.
• Let orphaned young like ducks or geese follow you. This can cause irreversible bonding to humans (imprinting) instead of their own species.

Caution:

• Birds of prey (hawks, owls and falcons) can be dangerous especially when injured. Try to find someone who can handle them to help you. Cover them with a laundry basket or box with weight on it until you can get a help.
• Injured adult mammals are also dangerous and should be handled carefully. Remember any mammal can get rabies including man. Birds do not get or carry rabies.

HELP NUMBERS:

For help or information call one of us. 

Western New York and Rochester area. Area Code (716)

Jackie........625- 8189 - All species, species information, educational programs, volunteering

Kathy.......731- 9334 - All species birds and mammals, volunteering

Scott ...... 438-9425

Ben ........ 439-5925

Cheril ..... 434-3766

We also have a directory of other rehabilitators within the US.

Some of us work, so please leave a message and we will return your call.

©2004 Second Chance WRC.
This site and all its contents and pages may not be copied without written consent from Second Chance WRC.
Web Design and Maintenance by WILD WEB DESIGNS

For technical questions email our webmaster