04/05/2024
It is becoming Spring in Massachusetts and this is the time when Wildlife Rehabilitators become incredibly busy with wildlife needing care.
Thank you for caring and finding this post!
Our website is https://www.willowswildliferehab.org/ where we have resources for helping until one of our team or another licensed wildlife rehabilitator is available to provide assistance.
If you find a wild animal in need of assistance, please make sure that you use the proper equipment to avoid harming or getting harmed. Wildlife do not understand that you are there to help and when they are ill, injured, or orphaned, that is when they are most terrified and vulnerable.
Please make sure that you are careful and use thick enough gloves/cloth and have a solid plan when trying to capture wildlife to bring to licensed rehabilitators or rehabilitation centers.
For example, with a bat, you'll want to have a container with airholes and a thick enough cloth to avoid contact. Bats found on the ground or within reach of people need assessment by a state approved rehabilitation center or wildlife rehabilitator. Bats found within reach are either making an unwise choice or are feeling poorly and need assistance until they recover and can be released.
With a baby squirrel, you'll want to make sure that you are not taking a baby that mom is attempting to rescue. If you observe for a few moments from a distance, you'll see if a wild mom is moving or rescuing her baby.
There are fantastic resources online and people to call including:
Tufts Wildlife Clinic https://vet.tufts.edu/tufts-wildlife-clinic
Cape Wildlife Center https://capewildlifecenter.com/
New England Wildlife Center https://www.newildlife.org/
Newhouse Wildlife https://newhousewildliferescue.org/what-to-do-if-1
Thank you for caring for the wildlife you find in harms way!
Your kindness can make a huge difference to an animal needing care.
