Wildlife
Information
Client Center >Wild Life
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| Proper treatment and care of injured wildlife |
What to do if you find
injured or orphaned wildlife? |
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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. |
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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. |
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It is illegal and potentially dangerous
to keep wildlife as pets |
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Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are allowed
to keep wildlife only during the rehabilitation period unless
the animal is deemed un-releasable to the wild. |
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In those cases, the animals must go to a special
facility or sanctuary where the animal's needs are properly addressed. |
Food for thought..... |
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Keeping Wildlife as Pets |
Cats & Wildlife |
If you find sick,
injured, or orphaned animals contact a wildlife rehabilitator |
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It is important to contact the proper people who will provide
care with the ultimate goal of release back to the wild. |
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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”. |
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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 |
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Wildlife Rehabilitators are granted Wildlife Rehabilitation
permits in accordance with 321 CMR 2.13. |
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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. |
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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.
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Acknowledgements
Kathy Frisbie, The Place for Wild
Birds
Nonda Surratt
Rose Walker |
