SWRR - Find A Critter?

DID YOU FIND AN INJURED OR DISTRESSED ANIMAL?

SHASTA WILDLIFE RESCUE HOT LINE for rescues in Shasta County call:

530 365-WILD (365-9453)

If we cannot accept the animal in question we can refer you to the appropriate wildlife expert, agency or
organization. Our trained staff can also help you decide whether or not the animal needs rescue or should be left in
the wild.

In Tehama County the primary contact for all wildlife rescues is: Tehama Wildcare at 530 347-1687. Also contact
them for all bats and baby skunks. There is some helpful information on bats at the end of this page.

For fawns contact Haven Humane Society at: 530 241-1653. They have a 24 hour phone monitor system at this
number.

For large animals, such as bears or mountain lions, contact the California Department of Fish and Game - Region 1
at: 530 225-2300.

Shasta Wildlife Rescue cannot accept any domestic animals including domestic birds (parakeets, lovebirds, etc.).
We also cannot accept farm and exotic animals. Our rehabilitation permit, which is issued by the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, only allows us to provide rehabilitative care to certain non-domestic animals. If you need help with
these animals go to our Domestic, Farm and Exotic Animals web page for referrals to agencies and organizations
that may be able to provide assistance.

If you are not in Shasta or Tehama County, t his California Department of Fish and Game Directory is a good place
to begin a search for a wildlife rehabilitator in California. Also, check our Links web page for additional wildlife
rehabilitator directories and for websites with information on injured wildlife first aid.

DID YOU FIND AN ANIMAL THAT NEEDS HELP?
Your primary goal is to get the animal to a trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible without
injury to the animal or you. Please read the story about the Grey Kit Fox Rescue on our Rescue Stories web page. It
provides a valuable lesson on the consequences of human-wildlife interaction.

You also should try to educate yourself to ascertain whether or not the animal needs rescue or should be left alone in
the wild. Unless the situation is urgent, a quick phone call to a wildlife expert can make the difference in the ultimate
outcome of the rescue. We often receive animals for rescue that would have had a better chance for survival if left
alone in the wild.

For more information on this topic see:
Common sense helps keep wildlife in the wild
Department of Fish and Game Urges Californians to Leave Wildlife Alone
Isolated fawns are best left alone
Is That Baby Animal an Orphan?

WILDLIFE AS PETS
Shasta Wildlife Rescue would like to remind the public that it is illegal to possess a wild animal. If you find an injured
or sick wild animal, please contact us. Wildlife do not make good pets because:

1). Most wild animals are cute and affectionate when they are young, but become troublesome as adults when
maturing instincts conflict with the taming process.

2). Young animals may seem tame but may become very aggressive and unpredictable as they get older.

3). The animal becomes too wild to keep as a pet, yet is too tame to survive in its natural habitat.

4). Captivity is not natural and is a constant stress to a wild animal.

5). Wild animals carry diseases that can be very harmful to people, see: Health Concerns Working With Wildlife.

6). Wild animals need to be examined by a veterinarian that has special knowledge and training in wildlife medicine.

7). Wild animals need care by individuals knowledgeable about their specific needs (nutritional, behavioral, social,
and environmental).

It is against the law in most states to keep wild animals if you don't have permits, even if you plan to release them!!

For more information see:
California Dept. of Fish & Game Manual 671 (pdf file, 130 kB)
Laws Regarding Wildlife

SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO AVOID HARMING WILDLIFE
Most of the wild animals brought to our clinic suffer from injuries or problems caused by humans. Since most people
try to avoid causing harm to other living things we decided to put together a list of things "to do" and "not to do" to
help our wildlife. The list is in no particular order of importance, but if everyone followed these suggestions, our
caseload would be dramatically reduced.

1. Prevent your pet cats and dogs from attacking and/or playing with wildlife. Don’t allow them to run without
supervision and raise your cats as indoor pets. Many injured animals are brought to the clinic each year with terrible
wounds from dog and cat attacks. Spay and neuter pet cats. For more info see: Cats and Wildlife and Cats Indoors!

2. Alert birds to large expanses of glass in your home, such as patio doors or picture windows, by hanging
streamers, putting bird silhouettes on the glass surface, or allow the glass to be a little bit dirty. Reducing the
reflection should cut down on the number of birds who collide, often fatally, with windows and doors. For more
information see: Birds and Windows.

3. Educate children to respect and care for all wild creatures and their habitats. Children need to learn that wild
animals are not playthings and should be allowed to go about their lives unmolested. Children should also be told not
to destroy nests, burrows and other wildlife homes.

4. Pick up litter and refuse that could harm wildlife, including six-pack connectors (after cutting each circle to reduce
the risk of entanglement), mono filament fishing line, and watch batteries (if consumed by waterfowl they can cause
mercury poisoning).

5. Be alert when driving, especially near wildlife refuges and in rural areas, to avoid hitting or running over wild
creatures. Animals do not recognize the danger from an oncoming vehicle. And please stop and move any turtles
away from the roadway or shoulder of the road.

6. As a general rule, leave infant wildlife alone, since they are not always truly orphaned. A parent may be nearby or
will return soon. Be sure they are in need of help before you remove them from the nest area. If you find young birds
on the ground, attempt to return them to the nest.

7. Place caps over all chimneys and vents on your roof to prevent birds, ducks and raccoons from taking up
residence and becoming a nuisance or getting trapped.

8. Do not leave fishing line or fish hooks unattended or lying about outdoors. Try to retrieve any kite string left on the
ground or entangled in trees.

9. Before mowing your lawn or roto-tilling your garden, walk through the area first to make sure no rabbits or ground-
nesting birds are in harms way. Remember, it only takes a couple weeks for these babies to grow and leave the
nest. Be tolerant and give them the time they need.

10. Check trees to make sure there are no active nests or residents of cavities before cutting them down. Even
better, avoid cutting down dead trees if they pose no safety hazard, since they provide homes for a wide variety of
wildlife.

11. Use non-toxic products on your lawn and garden.

12. Motor oil should not be left in oil pans unattended. Birds often fall into these pans and few survive.

13. Do not attempt to raise or keep wildlife yourself. Not only is it illegal, but wild creatures do not make good pets
and captivity poses a constant stress to them. Young wild animals raised without contact with their own species fail
to develop survival skills and fear of humans, virtually eliminating their chances of survival in the wild.

14. Don't leave sticky fly tapes hanging in open areas where birds can come in contact with them. It is very difficult to
remove the resin from a birds feathers.

15. Take down unused soccer and volleyball nets. Birds become entangled in them, especially raptors that hunt at
night and cannot see the nets.

I FOUND A BIRD, NOW WHAT?
Is the bird hurt or sick? Is it unable to flutter it's wings; bleeding; wings drooping unevenly; weak or shivering;
attacked by cat/dog? If yes, bird needs help. Please call or take it to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

Is it a nestling? Bird will not be fully feathered and may have fallen from nest. If possible put the baby back in it's nest.
If not, you can make a substitute nest by lining a small container (such as berry basket or margarine tub) with dry
grass or pine needles. Hang from original or nearby tree and leave the area. Mama will come if she can and there is
no interference (dogs, cats or people). Now observe, is baby abandoned. If yes, bird needs help. Please call or take
it to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

Is it a fledgling? Normal behavior is hopping on ground meaning the parents are still feeding it. Is bird safe from cats,
dogs, or people? If so baby is okay. Leave the area. If baby is not safe, place the bird in bushes or on tree limb
nearby and watch from a distance to see if parents return. If so, baby will be taken care of. Do parents return? If no,
bird needs help. Please call or take it to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

If you find a baby duck, goose, quail, or killdeer:
If you know the mother is dead, or if baby is injured, call SWRR right away. If baby is separated from the mother and
you know where she is, place baby close by so she can hear it. Watch from a distance. If the mother is not found or
does not claim the baby within an hour then bird needs help. Please call or take it to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

HOW TO RESCUE BIRDS
1. Prepare a container. Place a soft cloth (not a terry cloth towel) on the bottom of the cardboard box or cat/dog
carrier with a lid. If it doesn't have air holes, make some. For small size birds you can use a paper sack with air
holes punched in it.

2. Gently pick up the bird and place in prepared container, being especially careful with the wings.

3. Warm the bird if it's cold outside or if the animal is chilled. Put one end of the container on a heating pad set on
low. Or fill a zip-lock plastic bag, plastic soft drink container with a screw lid or a rubber glove with hot water. Wrap
warm container with cloth and put in next to the animal. Make sure the container doesn't leak or the bird will get wet
and chilled. Make sure also that the bird can't get burned by whatever you put in the box/carrier/bag with it.

4. Cover the box, carrier, etc. with a light sheet or towel

5. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place. Don't give it food or water. Leave it alone. Don't handle or bother it.
Keep children and pets away.

6. 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..

7. Wash your hands after contact with the animal. Wash anything the animal was in contact with. Use a towel, jacket,
blanket, pet carrier to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites to you and your pets.

8. Deliver the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

I FOUND A BABY MAMMAL, NOW WHAT?
Is the baby animal hurt or sick? Is it bleeding, shivering, vomiting; was attacked by cat/dog? If yes, the mammal
needs help. Please call or take it to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

Has the baby lost it's way? If you can find the nest or den and it is in tact, replace the baby. If you cannot find the
original nest then place the baby in a shallow box close to where it was found. Keep it warm but out of the sun. In
either situation listed above, watch for the mother for 4 to 6 hours. Stay completely out of sight. Mothers won't return
if any people or pets are present. If the mother returns the baby is okay so leave the area. If not, please call or take it
to the Shasta Wildlife Center.

I FOUND BABY COTTONTAIL BUNNIES, NOW WHAT?
If their nest has been damaged, it can be repaired. Look for a shallow depression lined with grass/fur. Place babies
in nest with light layers of grass to hide them. Leave the area, or the mother won't return. Mothers return only at dawn
& dusk. If you find healthy bunnies that are 4-5 inches long, able to hop, with eyes open and ears up, they do not
need help. They are able to survive on their own. Leave them alone.

I FOUND A BABY JACK RABBIT, NOW WHAT?
Unlike cottontails, jack rabbit mothers do not make a nest, other than a fine depression on the ground covered by
soft grasses. Babies are born fully furred and eyes open. Mama will leave them alone for hours at a time where they
stay still until she comes back to feed them. If you find a baby follow guide lines for a fawn. Leave it alone unless it is
threatened or injured or sick.

I FOUND A FAWN, NOW WHAT?
Mothers normally leave their babies to feed. Mother deer communicate with their babies telling them to stay quiet
and still while they go feed. Mother leaves baby alone for hours. She will return and baby will stay where mom says. If
baby looks okay, leave the baby alone as the mother will not return if people or pets are present. If baby looks cold,
hungry, diseased or confused, or if dogs or other animals, or people threaten it, then call the Haven Humane Society.
See above for their contact information. For more information see the Redding Record Searchlight article: Isolated
fawns are best left alone

I FOUND AN ORPHANED BABY SKUNK, NOW WHAT?
Before turning in an orphan baby skunk it is important to make sure it is actually orphaned. Baby skunks stay with the
mother through the winter. Rehabilitated baby skunks are released in the fall. Tehama Wild Care takes in orphan
skunk kittens, while SWRR does not. See the bat section for their contact information.

HOW TO RESCUE BABY MAMMALS
Only adults should rescue baby mammals. Before rescuing adult mammals, seek guidance from a wildlife
rehabilitator.

1. Prepare a container. Place a soft cloth 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 animals, you can use a paper sack with air holes punched in.

2. Protect yourself. Wear gloves, if possible. Some animals may bite or scratch to protect themselves. Also, wild
animals commonly have parasites (fleas, lice, ticks) and carry diseases.

3. Cover the animal with a light sheet or towel.

4. Gently pick up the animal 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 the
warm container with a 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 animal. This will be very important for release.

8. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place. Don't give it food or water. Leave it 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
animal at your home longer than necessary. Keep the animal in a container. Don't let it loose in your house or car.

10. Wash your hands after contact with the animal. Wash anything the animal was in contact with. Use a towel,
jacket, blanket, pet carrier to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites to you and your pets.

DID YOU FIND A BAT?
It is imperative for your safety and the safety of others that you do not handle bats, especially with your bare hands. It
is vitally important to avoid the bat's saliva. If you find a bat, cover it where it is found with a box or bucket, etc. If the
bat is still alive, make sure there are breathing holes in the cover so it can breath and stay cool. Then call an expert
immediately. In Shasta and Tehama County you can contact:

Karen Scheuermann
Tehama Wildcare
530 347-1687

Shasta Wildlife Rescue does not accept bats for rehabilitation due to licensing and safety issues. If you call us
however, we can refer you to a qualified bat rescuer. For more information on bat care and rabies in bats see the
following websites:

Bat Conservation International
Bat World
Nothern California Bats

ADDITIONAL HINT FOR BATS
If you have unwanted bats roosting in your attic, you can use one way flaps to exclude them from returning after their
night feeding, then permanently seal the entry. This can only be done in the cooler months of November through April
or the bat pups will starve to death. Also see: Living With Bats

RABIES IN BATS AND OTHER WILDLIFE
In addition to bats, many other species of wildlife can be Rabies carriers. It is imperative to minimize the handling of
any wildlife to avoid possible exposure.

The Rabies virus is preventable and treatable. Untreated, the Rabies virus can stay dormant within a human body for
up to 7 years before showing signs of the disease. It is almost always fatal if symptoms develop. Anyone who has
touched or held a bat should call the public health department in their county. In Shasta County call:

Shasta County Public Health Dept.
530 225-5591 or
800 971-1999

Additional information on the rabies virus:

Bats & Rabies (pdf file, 425 kB)
Rabies - CDC
Rabies: A Summer Primer for a Preventable Disease - Humane Society
Rabies & Wildlife - Humane Society
Rabies - MD Dept. of Health
Rabies - Shasta County Public Health Dept. (pdf file, 50 kB)

HOMEMADE SKUNK DEODORIZING SOLUTION
one quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
one fourth cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
one teaspoon liquid soap

Mix the ingredients well. Wet the animal down, then thoroughly saturate the areas the skunk has sprayed. Leave the
solution on for three to four minutes, then finish with a tap water rinse. Do not prepare in advance. It is unsafe to
bottle and store as the mixture will expand in a closed container. Be aware these solutions may cause color changes
in certain materials. In treating pets, keep solutions away from their eyes. Credit: Karyl Brandon, animal science
technician at Kansas State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Two week old baby gray squirrel

Photo contributed by Steve Hobson:
http://steves-digital.net/

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