I FOUND AN INJURED ANIMAL. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
How to Rescue Baby Birds
BIRDS
(Only adults should rescue baby birds. Before rescuing adult birds, seek guidance from a wildlife rehabilitator.)
1. Prepare a container. Place a clean, soft cloth with no strings or loops on the bottom of a cardboard box or cat/dog carrier with a lid. If it doesn’t have air holes, make some. For smaller birds, you can use a paper sack with air holes..
2. Protect yourself. Wear gloves, if possible. Some birds may stab with their beaks, slice with their talons (claws) and slap with their wings, to protect themselves, even if sick; birds commonly have parasites (fleas, lice, ticks) and carry diseases
3. Cover the bird with a light sheet or towel.
4. Gently pick up the bird and put it in the prepared container.
5. Warm the animal if it’s cold out or if the animal is chilled. Put one end of the container on a heating pad set on low. Or fill a zip-top plastic bag, plastic soft drink container with a screw lid, or a rubber glove with hot water; wrap warm container with cloth, and put it next to the animal. Make sure the container doesn’t leak, or the animal will get wet and chilled.
6. Tape the box shut or roll the top of the paper bag closed.
7. Note exactly where you found the bird. This will be very important for release.
8. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place.
Don’t give it food or water.
Leave the bird alone; don’t handle or bother it.
Keep children and pets away.
9. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator, state wildlife agency, or wildlife veterinarian
as soon as possible.
Don’t keep the bird at your home longer than necessary.
Keep the bird in a container; don’t let it loose in your house or car.
10. Wash your hands after contact with the bird.
Wash anything the bird was in contact with — towel, jacket, blanket, pet carrier --
to prevent the spread of diseases and/or parasites to you or your pets.
11. Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
It’s against the law in most states to keep wild animals if you don’t have permits,
even if you plan to release them.
From Healers of the Wild: People Who Care
for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
By Shannon K. Jacobs
©1998 Coyote Moon Press PO Box 6867
Denver, CO 80206 (303) 316-4633
1. Prepare a container. Place a clean, soft cloth with no strings or loops on the bottom of a cardboard box or cat/dog carrier with a lid. If it doesn’t have air holes, make some. For smaller birds, you can use a paper sack with air holes..
2. Protect yourself. Wear gloves, if possible. Some birds may stab with their beaks, slice with their talons (claws) and slap with their wings, to protect themselves, even if sick; birds commonly have parasites (fleas, lice, ticks) and carry diseases
3. Cover the bird with a light sheet or towel.
4. Gently pick up the bird and put it in the prepared container.
5. Warm the animal if it’s cold out or if the animal is chilled. Put one end of the container on a heating pad set on low. Or fill a zip-top plastic bag, plastic soft drink container with a screw lid, or a rubber glove with hot water; wrap warm container with cloth, and put it next to the animal. Make sure the container doesn’t leak, or the animal will get wet and chilled.
6. Tape the box shut or roll the top of the paper bag closed.
7. Note exactly where you found the bird. This will be very important for release.
8. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place.
Don’t give it food or water.
Leave the bird alone; don’t handle or bother it.
Keep children and pets away.
9. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator, state wildlife agency, or wildlife veterinarian
as soon as possible.
Don’t keep the bird at your home longer than necessary.
Keep the bird in a container; don’t let it loose in your house or car.
10. Wash your hands after contact with the bird.
Wash anything the bird was in contact with — towel, jacket, blanket, pet carrier --
to prevent the spread of diseases and/or parasites to you or your pets.
11. Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
It’s against the law in most states to keep wild animals if you don’t have permits,
even if you plan to release them.
From Healers of the Wild: People Who Care
for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
By Shannon K. Jacobs
©1998 Coyote Moon Press PO Box 6867
Denver, CO 80206 (303) 316-4633
Laws Regarding Wildlife click here
Health Concerns to be Aware of When Working With Wildlife click here
National Wildlife Foundation click here
Find a Rehabilitator:
http://wildliferehabinfo.org/ContactList_MnPg.htm
Wild Animals As Pets? Why the Answer is Always No
Click here to find out why
A Guide To Assisting Wildlife Babies:
What to do when you find them
Click on cute little me for information on how you can help me and other babies if you find us.
Skunk Odor Remover Formula!
4 cups hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup dish soap
The above when mixed, is chemically unstable and must be used immediately.
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup dish soap
The above when mixed, is chemically unstable and must be used immediately.