Hare of the Dog, Inc Wildlife

06/15/2026

How do we release our patients? We there’s generally two different methods: a hard release or a soft release.

Here you see a soft release. That means that we open the doors to patients that are ready for the wild but continue to support them with food and water until they stop coming home. This only works under strict criteria. There has to be enough room for everyone. Have I released plenty at this location already? Are there too many of that species? Will the newly released ones make others move out?
We have to consider their whole lives. This year we have soft released both red and grey squirrels. We never release raccoons/groundhogs/skunks/foxes at the rehab as it’s a residential area. Some people don’t want skunks/raccoons or groundies on their property and we aren’t sure of the rodenticide usage around here. We obviously don’t use it but others may.

Hard release is when we take animals off property and let them go. We do this when patients are so ready for the wild! They can totally care for themselves.

06/13/2026

🔊Those stinky little foot stomps are clear communication that he’s serious!
This little striped skunk and his two siblings came into care after their mom passed away. They’ve been wandering on their own for a few days and still have a couple siblings waiting to be caught.
I’ll always make room for siblings. To be fair, I say that but these kids will be off to another rehab soon. I’m just giving them a soft place to land while they stabilize. If the siblings are caught then we’ll just do the process again. Stabilize and transfer. We don’t keep skunks for long. Our specialty is raccoons so our outdoor housings are filled all season long.
Keeping our local rehabbers supported and open allows for way more animals to be saved.
I have great rehab friends. When you support us, you’re also supporting them. We share resources (vaccines/money/supplies) and save more animals together.

06/07/2026

It’s very common for our patients to sleep under or on top of housings. They aren’t pets and aren’t expected to act like them. They hide, they retreat and they watch me from afar. My job is to offer a clean safe shelter. What they do with it is up to them.

06/06/2026

You should become a rehabber just to rehab red squirrels!
They’re hilarious and crazy with a little mean streak that will help you realize that you don’t want him as a pet.

05/30/2026

Then just do that 3-6 times a day.

Raccoons are our favorite. I’d take a hundred if I could but we need to limit our intake to the volume that I can care for in a way that I’m proud of. That’s what I promised you as the finder and what I promised the raccoon I already accepted. It’s hard to say I’m full but I have to be comfortable with it. For their sake.

05/23/2026

If your big indoor project isn’t moving then just start 10 outdoor projects!
Gotta keep that attention deficit happy one way or another.
We are up to our eyeballs in raccoons and I’ve gotten so many texts and calls I just can’t keep up.
I’m so sorry if you’ve texted or messaged and I haven’t been able to return your call. I’m making and cleaning bottles in my bathroom sink and trying to create ways to move animals around to create more space as group move into different stages of life.
Wish us luck! It’s getting rough around here🫠

05/11/2026

Calling all Police officers! Check out this opportunity from Newhouse Wildlife Rescue and Dedham Animal Control

We are so excited! Let the collaboration begin…

If you are a police officer or animal control officer in Massachusetts, we invite you to join our new training program: Wildlife Practices for Law Enforcement.

Our team, along side Adam Teper of Teper Legal and Animal Control Officer Deni Michele Goldman, have been working together to develop a program designed to help officers better understand the legal aspects of wildlife situations that are often overlooked, while also highlighting the resources available throughout the state - including wildlife rehabilitators and collaborative response options.

Our goal is simple: improve communication, strengthen partnerships, and provide officers with practical tools and knowledge for handling wildlife related calls safely, legally, and effectively.

This is an MPTC course for officers only. More information below!

Wildlife Practices for Law Enforcement
📅 Wednesday May 20, 2026 📍 MPTC Randolph
📅 Thursday May 28, 2026 📍 MPTC Holyoke
For more details and to register, log into your Acadis Portal

05/10/2026

A little bit ago we received a mini split hvac system off our wishlist for our Wildlife Nursery and didn’t know who sent it, well now we know!
Anyone who knows and already know that they are kind and generous animal lovers🥰
I can’t thank them enough for providing a warm/cool safe space to house our patients year round.
They’ve always been supportive of us here at Hare of the Dog but this really blew me away!
Shelli, if this is how you’re trying to get a hug from me, you’ve just won it! 🤣

05/09/2026

What do you do if you find a baby red alone on its own with its eyes closed like this one?
•scoop him up with gloves and a hand towel
•pop him in a small box with a piece of t-shirt and a gentle heat source like mitten warmers
•call a rehabber (believe me you don’t want this as a pet:)

05/09/2026

Collaborating with other rehabbers is the way to be successful. This was Squirrel Run’s patient, my net and restraint skills and Dr.Lussier’s veterinary expertise. We have some great friends around here!
Hope our squirrel friend heals quickly.