Millstone Wildlife Center

06/03/2026

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT — HANNAH

Most people don’t realize there’s a very specific moment that determines whether wildlife rehabilitation is truly for you…

For Hannah, that moment involved four adult porcupines in a small room.

On her very first day volunteering at Millstone Wildlife Center, Hannah was assigned the glamorous task of cleaning porcupine enclosures. Anyone who has ever worked around adult porcupines knows they come with many wonderful qualities… but “pleasant aroma” is not usually one of them.

To say the smell was overwhelming might actually be an understatement. In fact, Hannah’s first day almost became her last.

But something about this place — and the animals who needed her — told her to give it one more try.

By the next week, a few porcupines had moved outdoors, the air quality had dramatically improved, and Hannah realized she had found exactly where she belonged. And we are so incredibly grateful she stayed. What Hannah brings to Millstone cannot be taught. She has one of the biggest hearts imaginable, especially for the animals struggling the most. While others may head home after a long shift, Hannah stays. Sitting quietly beside an animal as they fight to recover… or simply making sure they do not pass alone.

She notices everything. Every scrape. Every bruise. Every subtle change in behavior. Her careful observations help ensure animals receive the treatment and attention they need before small problems become larger ones.

And somehow, in the middle of all the chaos, she still finds time to give extra love to Meko, our resident cat, who is always happy to supervise Saturday mornings.

Saturday mornings at Millstone would not feel complete without Hannah’s kindness, compassion, and steady presence. Please help us show Hannah just how much she means to all of us with a comment below.

06/02/2026

Just a few of the 15 raccoon kits currently calling Millstone Wildlife Center home can be seen in this video enjoying some post-meal playtime. After filling their bellies, it’s time for wrestling matches, climbing contests, and plenty of mischief.
While they may look like they’re simply having fun, these youngsters are also learning important social skills and developing the strength and confidence they’ll need before returning to the wild.

06/01/2026

BE A BETTER WILDLIFE NEIGHBOR

One of the best ways to help wildlife is to make sure they never move into your home in the first place.
Every year, wildlife rehabilitators receive calls about raccoons in attics, squirrels in walls, skunks under sheds, and other animals that have simply found what looks like the perfect place to raise a family. Unfortunately, once they move in, conflicts often follow.
You can prevent many of these situations by taking a few simple steps:
✔️ Cap your chimney
✔️ Inspect your roof line for openings or loose soffits
✔️ Repair damaged vents and screens
✔️ Animal-proof decks, porches, and sheds before wildlife move underneath
✔️ Install a pool escape ramp so wildlife that fall into your pool can climb back out safely
✔️ Regularly inspect your property for potential entry points
The goal is exclusion, not relocation.
When animals are prevented from entering structures, they can continue living safely in their natural habitat. Relocation is stressful for wildlife and often separates mothers from their young, disrupts established territories, and reduces an animal’s chances of survival.
A little prevention today can save wildlife — and homeowners — a lot of trouble tomorrow.
By animal-proofing your property, you’re helping create a community where people and wildlife can coexist safely. 🦝🦨🐿️
What wildlife visitors have you spotted around your home this year? Post a photo in the comments!

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

🦦 Happy World Otter Day! 🦦
Today we celebrate the most playful, intelligent, and unforgettable animal ever to pass through Millstone Wildlife Center — Pip. 💙
Pip came to us in need of help and quickly stole every heart along the way. Like most otters, Pip was curious about absolutely everything, full of nonstop energy, and always finding ways to turn ordinary moments into chaos and entertainment. Whether splashing, exploring, or demanding attention, Pip reminded us daily just how remarkable these animals truly are.
Rehabilitating an otter is no small task. They require specialized care, constant enrichment, and opportunities to develop the skills they need to survive in the wild. Watching Pip grow stronger and eventually return where he belonged was both rewarding and emotional for all of us.
Though released back to the wild, Pip will forever hold a special place in Millstone memories. Some animals simply leave pawprints that never fade. 🐾
Here’s to Pip, and to all the incredible otters making waves in rivers, lakes, and wetlands everywhere today.

05/27/2026

🐾VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - Kathy🐾

Some people speak fluent porcupine. Kathy is one of them. 
Back in March of 2023, Kathy arrived at Millstone Wildlife Center looking for something special. Retirement was still a year and a half away, but she already knew she wanted her next season of life to mean something — to matter to someone who truly needed her.
As it turns out… that “someone” was often covered in quills.
From the beginning, Kathy had a natural connection with the animals here, especially the porcupines. While most people see sharp quills and waddling attitudes, Kathy sees personalities, emotions, and trust waiting to be earned. Before long, a fellow Volunteer started calling her a “Porcupine Whisperer.”
And honestly? The porcupines seem to agree.
She has the kind of calm presence animals respond to. The nervous ones settle. The grumpy ones tolerate her. Even the stubborn ones usually give in.  Her favorite animal? Magoo, of course. 
We are endlessly grateful Kathy chose Millstone when she was searching for the “right place.” Because the truth is… we needed her just as much as she needed us.
Please comment below and let Kathy know how much she is appreciated.

05/26/2026

**UPDATE** The mouse was able to be fully removed from the glue trap and successfully rehabilitated and then released! (Video attached🐭❤️)

This little mouse was recently brought to Millstone Wildlife Center after becoming trapped on a glue trap. Sadly, situations like this are far too common. Glue traps are often marketed as an “easy” solution, but for animals, they can lead to hours — sometimes days — of fear, exhaustion, dehydration, torn skin, broken limbs, and death.
Wild animals caught on glue traps struggle desperately to escape. In their panic, they may rip out fur, injure themselves, or become so stressed that they do not survive.
If you ever find an animal stuck on a glue trap, remain calm and handle the situation carefully:
1️⃣ Wear gloves�2️⃣ Cover any exposed sticky areas with cornstarch�3️⃣ Gently apply vegetable oil to the area where the animal is stuck�4️⃣ Slowly and carefully work the animal free from the glue�5️⃣ Observe the animal before release to ensure there are no injuries or signs of exhaustion�6️⃣ Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately if the animal appears injured, weak, or unable to move normally
Every life matters — even the tiny, frightened ones many people overlook.
We encourage humane alternatives to glue traps that do not cause prolonged suffering to wildlife and pets.

05/25/2026

This porcupine arrived at Millstone with a severe case of ringworm, a fungal infection that left his skin irritated, uncomfortable, and in need of weeks of intensive care.
While porcupines can live up to 25 years in the wild, life is not always easy for these gentle forest animals. They face many dangers and illnesses—falls from trees, vehicle strikes, attacks by dogs or fishers, exposure to raccoon roundworm, skunk adenovirus, and more.
But this friend is a fighter.
For 21 days, he endured daily medication and regular medicated baths. To say he was less than impressed would be an understatement. We’re fairly certain he was saying some very unkind things to us in “porcupine” every single treatment day. 
Today, his skin is clear, the infection is gone, and now all he needs is a little time to regrow some fur and replace a few lost quills before heading back to the wild where he belongs.
Healing takes patience, perseverance, and trust—and this porcupine showed us all three.

05/22/2026

These babies are about 3 weeks old now, and their days are becoming filled with all the important rabbit behaviors — grooming, nibbling clover, exploring, and learning how to be wild bunnies.
It won’t be long before they are fully weaned and taking the next steps toward independence. Every day at this age is an important part of preparing them for life back in the wild.
For now, they’re enjoying soft clover snacks, keeping each other company, and perfecting those tiny bunny grooming skills.

05/21/2026

Meet our tiniest raccoon of the season.
This little girl weighs just 160 grams… about the weight of a hockey puck. Tiny, fragile, and far too young to be on her own.
Her mother chose a chimney as a safe place to give birth and raise her babies. Unfortunately, when the family was removed, this little one was left behind. Thankfully, she was found and brought to us before it was too late.
This is also an important reminder to please cap your chimneys and pay attention to unusual sounds coming from inside your home. Scratching, crying, or movement in a chimney may mean an animal is trapped or trying to raise a family there.
For now, this tiny raccoon will spend the next several months growing stronger here at Millstone. She has a lot of learning to do before release time in early October. Once she completes quarantine, she’ll be introduced to a new group of young raccoons who will become her “siblings” while she grows up in care.
She may be small, but she is ready for the big adventure ahead of her.