WEST Wildlife Rehab

08/29/2026

I've been trying to get side by side pics of Lily and Willow so you can see how different they look - but it's impossible, because Willow acts like the wild fox she is and hides when I'm in the enclosure. Basically, Lily just doesn't look quite normal - and, well, she's NOT quite normal, in a good way. But they don't come any cuter than this sweet girl! Blurry pic of Willow in the comments to give you an idea!

08/28/2026

Thanks to everyone for the great name suggestions for the flying squirrels! I'm going with WEST friend Autumn Beverly's suggestions!

Top pic: Butternut (Buddy for short)
Butternut is the biggest of the 3 siblings and also the only baby with injuries. He was in really rough condition yesterday and having a hard time breathing through his swollen nose. He's doing much better today but is still resistant to eating, probably because his face and abdomen (he has an injury to his left groin) are sore.

Bottom left: Walnut (Wally for short)
Wally is the middle sized baby and is doing great!

Bottom right: Hazelnut (Haze for short)
Hazelnut is the runt, but is also the most active (it took about 8 tries to get a good pic, because he's so squirmy) and the best eater. He'll catch up with his siblings soon, I'm sure!

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

Some southern flying squirrels arrived yesterday! They were found together under a Sycamore tree in College Hill and all had quite a bit of fly strike hidden under their fur. One baby had a bloody nose and some puncture wounds on his abdomen, so he's on antibiotics.

I adore flying squirrels and, while I'm trying to focus on foxes these days, I could not say no to these babies. They are the most common squirrel in many parts of Ohio but most people have never seen one because they're nocturnal.

They are - in my experience - harder to rehab than gray squirrels. They dehydrate easily and gain weight more slowly and just aren't as sturdy as grays. But these babies are about a month old and hopefully will do well.

I think we need some names, as all three are boys! Drop your suggestions below!

08/27/2026

The July 4th opossums have gained their rightful independence! Farewell, babies - stay away from dogs, cats, coyotes, traffic, rodent bait boxes, glue traps, pesticide treated yards, polluted water, crappy people like exotic breeders, fishing line, plastic soda can connectors, balloons, fragmented habitats, etc. GOOD LUCK!

08/27/2026

Friends, please. PLEASE.

When you find a sick, injured or displaced wild baby, PLEASE CONTAIN IT so it is not left vulnerable to predation.

PLEASE MAKE AN EFFORT TO TRANSPORT THE ANIMAL IF IT NEEDS RESCUE. Reach out to friends and family if you can't transport it. Please don't just send us a photo of an animal and a street address.

If you call us for help, we generally will respond within 15 minutes and often respond to callers right away. PLEASE DON'T WAIT 12 HOURS TO GET BACK TO US WHEN WE RESPONDED TO YOU IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES about that injured baby squirrel.

Please show some SENSE and CONSIDERATION of others.

Thank you.

08/26/2026

UPDATE: Emily just arrived and the chipmunk had passed away.

Emily is on the way to Hyde Park to get this baby chipmunk, as the finder is in class and could not transport.

Eastern chipmunks have 1-2 litters a year, so this is a second wave baby. My guess is something happened to mama and this little sweetie got hungry and left the burrow to look for her. The finder has been advised to be on the lookout for siblings.

Just a reminder: if you can't transport a debilitated animal and are unable to stay with it, please try to contain it so that it's safe until transport is found.

For now, send all your good stuff, because this baby needs it.

08/26/2026

WEST friends, can you help us out? # GettinArtsyForWildlife is just a little over 5 weeks away and we are still in need of items for our raffle!

There are several ways you can help:

🦊Curate a basket

🦇Sponsor a basket - make a donation and we'll take it from there and credit you on socials and at the fair!

🐿️Purchase a raffle item from our wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12E7QLKA9WG3Y/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Thank you for your consideration!