What to do with Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

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1 FREE Take One Volume 6, Issue 4 April 2016 What to do with Injured and Orphaned Wildlife The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is a wealth of information about wildlife, including regulatory laws and what to do with injured and orphaned wildlife. Here is some basic information. For more detailed info on specific animals, including rabbits, squirrels, opossums, deer, and even bears, please visit their website. More often than not, handling injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife can do more harm than good. Although our intentions are well-meaning, human interaction with wildlife should always be kept to a minimum. Humans often misinterpret normal wildlife behavior as abnormal and may unnecessarily disturb and stress wild animals by attempting to catch them. Often, particularly in spring, concerned people pick up animals that they think are orphaned. More than 75 percent of such orphans "rescued" every spring should have been left alone. Most wild animals are dedicated parents and will not abandon their young, but they do leave them alone for long periods of time while looking for food. Additionally, many behaviors that people may view as abnormal actually are not in wildlife, and people may do much more harm than good by attempting to catch them for rehabilitation. Unless one of these guidelines applies, leave wildlife alone. First, make sure it really is injured or orphaned. Sometimes a parent is close by but waiting for the human intruder to leave. Other times a dazed or unconscious animal is only temporarily stunned. The kindest thing you can do for these animals is keep them out of the way of predators by placing them in a box or elevated place. Continued on Page 4

2 Pets for Adoption Elizabeth Izzy, 4 year old spayed female. Nervous in new situations, but friendly and very affectionate once she settles in. Izzy has an average energy level - happy to romp at the park and go for walks, but also content to snuggle on the couch. She is housebroken and mild mannered around the house. She has nice leash manners and knows some obedience commands. She doesn t always get along with other dogs, particularly small dogs and female dogs so she would do best as an only dog or with a male companion. She is OK with cats. Izzy likes all humans, including children, but because she is on the nervous side, we recommend no children under 7. Bunny Foo Foo, one year old spayed female rabbit, dressed in her pink, flouncy dress for Easter. Alas, she did not get adopted (too much competition from the chocolate varieties). Bunny Foo Foo is very friendly and enjoys company. She is doing great with litter box training. Rabbits are NOT a low maintenance pet. Rabbits live 7-10 years and require exercise and playtime outside their cage. Rabbits are social animals that like to be around other rabbits or their human friends. Satchel, 8 month old neutered male Pointer. Super sweet and loves everyone. He was raised in a kennel with hunting dogs so he is just learning about life as a pet. Pointers are HIGH ENERGY dogs and not for the casual pet owner. He will need plenty of exercise and training. Loves kids, but doesn t understand about being gentle. He is great with other dogs, ok with cats but not recommended for a home with birds or small furries like rabbits, ferrets, etc 2

3 Pets for Adoption Butch, 5 month old Walker Hound mix, estimated adult size pounds. Butch is sweet, friendly, and loves people and attention. He has had little training, but has nice manners for his age and is doing well with house training. He is still a puppy and high energy now, however most hounds slow down considerably around 2 years of age. Wesley, 16 month old Pit mix. Wesley is a smart boy and has picked up some training commands quickly. He is super affectionate and would love to be a lap dog if he could find a lap big enough. He is an amazing athlete and loves to run and play. Wesley is perfect with one exception: he is not always good with other pets and does not like to share his food or toys. Because of this, he needs to be the only pet in his home. Vivaldi is one of the last of her siblings to be adopted. She is quiet and reserved. She prefers to be petted while laying in her bed and will purr and purr while being petted. She is not too sure about sitting in your lap but will sleep in bed with you near your feet. Nephie, 1 1/2 year old female. Nephie has a mind of her own. She can be very sweet but on her own terms. She would do best in a home that wants a cat, but not one that gets on your lap or needs a lot of attention. Nephie gets along with other cats and dogs. For more information on any of these pets, either call or info@iowchs.org (Phone messages are not checked everyday.) 3

4 Continued from Page 1 Second, if the animal is hurt and you are able and willing to pick it up, do so with care (this includes heavy gloves), handling it as little as possible and keeping your hands away from its mouth (there is always potential for rabies among wild animals). Place the animal in a well-ventilated cardboard box in a dark, quiet, warm place. Do not feed it. Call a rehabilitation facility and follow their instructions. Do not attempt to rescue skunks or bats. These are highrisk animals that are potentially dangerous to your health. Never attempt to capture an adult sick or injured mammal. They are frightened and/or in pain and see you as a threat and can bite severely. If a fawn or rabbit has been "rescued" when it shouldn't have been, it can often be released at the same location if it is on the same day. Parents tend to remain in the area for at least a day, looking for the lost youngster. Leave him as close as possible to where he was found and withdraw at least 50 yards and observe with binoculars until dusk. If the parent hasn't picked up the little one by nightfall, you will need to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Wildlife rehabbers The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains a comprehensive list of wildlife rehabilitators statewide. It is accurate and up-to-date. If there is no listing for your city/county, look for a rehabilitator in an adjacent county. Do not call the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Please remember it is illegal to keep or care for orphaned, sick or injured wildlife unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Please be mindful that rehabilitators are private citizens. Telephone calls to rehabilitators should be limited to daytime hours only. The cities of Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth have several rehabbers, too numerous to list. For a complete list, visit: rehabilitators.asp?location=175 Betty Payne Smithfield Birds, raptors, small mammals Robyn Jones Suffolk Small mammals 4 Deborah Jeter Southhampton- Franklin Fawns, turtles, small mammals

5 April SNIP Van Schedule 4/4: Franklin, Island Tan, 188 Stewart Dr 4/5: IOW Animal Shelter, Poorhouse Rd 4/7: Suffolk, Tractor Supply Company, 3000 Pruden Blvd 4/15: Franklin, Island Tan, 188 Stewart Dr 4/18: Franklin, Island Tan, 188 Stewart Dr 4/20: Wakefield, Great Valu, 608 S. County Dr 4/21: Suffolk, Tractor Supply Company, 3000 Pruden Blvd 4/22: IOW Animal Shelter, Poorhouse Rd 4/28: Smithfield, Tractor Supply Company, Benns Church Blvd 4/29: Suffolk, Tractor Supply Company, 3000 Pruden Blvd For more information and a complete list of services and prices, current schedule, and to download admission forms, please visit PETA s website: VACCINATIONS $15 each for altered animals or animals under 6 months Please note: Dogs and cats 6 months of age or older that have not been spayed or neutered will not be vaccinated on the SNIP van. Appointments not necessary for vaccinations. Hours for vaccinations: AM Vaccine hour may be cancelled when temperature is above 87 or below 40 degrees. SPAY/NEUTER Dog: $100 (spay) $80 (neuter) Cat: $45 Animals older than 6 years 11 months or weighing more than 70 lbs. will not be spayed/ neutered on the SNIP van Appointments required for all spays/neuters. To make an appointment, call , option 3 CASH or CREDIT 5

6 UPCOMING EVENTS April 2: Spring has Sprung Adoptions, 11 AM-3PM Renewed Creations Consignment Shop Carrollton Blvd, between Food Lion and Langley FCU Animals for adoption, t-shirts, bake sale April 13: Dander & Pollen FUNdraiser (See flyer below) April 16: Mother s Day Shopping Extravaganza, Chick-Fil-A, Suffolk 3-6 PM Captain Chuck-a Marina Rd, Carrollton VA,(located in Rescue) New Owners: Brooke & David Floyd See our adoptable animals every week (check facebook for updates) Sundays 12-4 Most Saturdays University Blvd, Suffolk (near Kroger) Jefferson Ave Newport News NOTICE: We have changed locations for our Sunday adoption events from Petco in Newport News to Petco in Suffolk. 6

7 THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU In memory of Sue Hall, Ross and Robbie Younger In memory of McKenzie, beloved pet of Ted and Peg Hoagland, Richard and Lillian Taylor Mechelle Dunn Margaret and Bob Harris Margaret Harris Tilenna Lea Linda Shomier Manda Sichts Gail West Bob Wiatt, Heritage Antiques Gimme Shelter PURINA TIDY CAT, Leon Branch (4500 lbs kitty litter) All through the mowing season, carefully check your lawn for rabbit nests before mowing, especially when the grass is higher than usual. Also keep an eye out for adult rabbits, whose fur can blend in very easily with grass, bushes, and weeds 7

8 The Humane Society holds meetings twice a month, on second Mondays and fourth Wednesdays. Please come to a meeting and learn more about us. We don t bite! Mon Apr 11 6:30 PM Carrollton Public Library Wed Apr 27 7:00 PM IOW Rescue Squad, Great Springs Road, Smithfield Mon May 9 6:30 PM Carrollton Public Library Wed May 25 7:00 PM IOW Rescue Squad, Great Springs Road, Smithfield The Isle of Wight County Humane Society is an all volunteer organization that receives no government funding. We depend on corporate and private donations to fund our work. We have no office, no building and no salaried employees. If you would like to make a donation, please send your tax deductible contribution to: Isle of Wight County Humane Society PO Box 273 Smithfield, VA Or, donate on our website, using our Paypal Donate button. You do not have to be a member of Paypal to make a donation. PH: (757) FAX: (757) info@iowchs.org