06/06/2026
Amazing what these Wildlife places do so hard-working 
Over-Caring Can Sometimes Cause Harm
We love that so many people care deeply about wildlife. Compassion for wild animals is a wonderful thing. However, caring about a wild animal is very different from caring for one.
Trying to raise or rehabilitate wildlife yourself can be a bit like keeping a friend at home after they've fallen down a flight of stairs instead of taking them to a hospital. Even with the best intentions, specialized care is often needed.
Recently, we've admitted three patients whose outcomes were affected by well-meaning human intervention:
🐿 A young squirrel was raised on an inappropriate milk formula and arrived at our facility weighing only half as much as others its age. Sadly, despite our efforts, it passed away just a few hours after arrival.
🪿 A gosling was kept for several days and allowed to interact with family pets. By the time it reached us, it no longer identified with other geese and could not be integrated into a wild goose family. Thankfully, it is making progress while being housed with adult geese at our facility.
🐇 A jackrabbit was being lovingly cared for by a compassionate woman who genuinely wanted the best for it. She quickly understood that a warm home, cuddles, and human companionship cannot prepare a young hare for life in the wild. As a prey species, jackrabbits need their mothers to teach them critical survival skills, including how to avoid predators and navigate their natural environment.
If you find a wild animal that appears injured, orphaned, or in distress, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. The greatest act of kindness is getting them the expert care they need to return to the wild where they belong.
www.mrwc.ca
