| Proper
treatment and care of injured wildlife |
|
- The proper treatment and care of injured wildlife is a topic of
much inquiry by the public. Our veterinary hospital gets hundreds of calls
a year from people who have found injured wildlife near their homes and
many young or injured wild animals are brought to our hospital each year
for treatment by our veterinarians.
- We have developed this section to give you accurate and informative
information about the most common wild animals in the area, and about the
important role of wildlife rehabilitators in treating and rehabilitating
injured or orphaned wildlife with the single goal of future release back
to the wild.
- It is
illegal and potentially dangerous to keep wildlife as pets
- Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to keep wildlife
only during the rehabilitation period unless the animal is deemed
un-releasable to the wild.
- In those cases, the animals must go to a special
facility or sanctuary where the animal's needs are properly addressed.
|
| If you find
sick, injured, or orphaned animals contact a wildlife rehabilitator |
- It is important to contact the proper people who will provide care
with the ultimate goal of release back to the wild.
- Rehabilitators & veterinarians may not charge fees for treatment of
wildlife, but will gratefully accept donations to help defray their cost. Wildlife rehabilitators are not paid for their services.
All costs are “out of pocket”.
|
|
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
at 508-792-7270
Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Massachusetts
at 508-279-3936 |
| Wildlife Rehabilitation-
The role of the Wildlife Rehabilitator |
- Wildlife Rehabilitators are granted Wildlife Rehabilitation permits
in accordance with 321 CMR 2.13.
- Permitted individuals may legally possess and treat
birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians with the exception of deer, moose,
bear, federally listed species and venomous snakes.
- The Federal Government licenses those of us which treat
migratory birds.
|
| Wildlife rehabilitators have been specially trained in the
handling, treatment and natural history of native wildlife. Every species we
treat have different medical, dietary, caging, behavioral and release needs.
We rely on the aid of veterinarians to assist us with medical care, however,
not all veterinarians are comfortable or willing to treat wildlife. In
general, veterinary hospitals are not equipped for the special needs of
wildlife and the sights and sounds of barking dogs, and general activity is
extremely stressful. The role of the veterinarian is to treat and transfer
the animal as quickly as the condition of the animal allows, to a
Licensed Rehabilitator. Those animals, which cannot be successfully
treated, are humanely euthanized. |
Acknowledgements
Kathy Frisbie, The Place for Wild Birds
Nonda Surratt
Rose Walker
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