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Community Corner

Critter Corner: Abandoned and Orphaned Babies

Finding the right help has never been easier

You've been watching a baby rabbit sitting all alone abandoned by its mother – you want to help, but don't know what to do. Maybe you've seen a scrawny bird who has fallen from its nest. The parents are circling but the little one can't fly. You remember that once you touch a bird it will be rejected, so you sit watching for cats and worrying.

If this sounds like a familiar but dreaded springtime scenario there are things you can do. One of the most important steps you can take is to be informed before the event. Take a look at the information below, then print and keep pertinent information.

Different parenting styles: rabbits and deer leave their offspring for long stretches of time. When the mother is ready she'll either come back or call the babies to her. If you suspect that the babies have been abandoned be patient and watch. Meanwhile check the surrounding area to see if they have been orphaned.

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Most other animals (birds and mammals) keep their young close. It is possible, in the case of birds, to return the fledgling to the nest without fear of rejection. It is a myth that birds have a keen sense of smell. However, use common sense when handling the bird and climbing. Parents can mistake you for an intruder and dive bomb as you try to help.

Follow these five steps when dealing with a baby animal

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1 Determine if the animal is in harm's way- such as a dog, cat. Remove only if the animal is truly abandoned or orphaned.

2 Don't feed or give water.

3 Put in a safe and securely closed container with breathing holes. Do not not use cedar chips, but add a small blanket, pillow case, paper towel or towel.

4 Keep the animal warm and in the dark. Keep children, pets away.

5 When transporting to a rehabilitator keep heat and air conditioning vents from pointing at cage. Keep noise to a minimum (cell phone on low and no radio). Some animals, like a jack rabbit, can die of fright.

For more information about specific animals and care, click on the link to wildcare. Although they are a California-based organization, they will accept emergency calls nationwide and their guidelines are comprehensive.

When you have secured the foundling contact a licensed agent. Some specialize in different kinds of animals or may be able to direct you to someone closer to the Mayfield-Hillcrest area. Greater Cleveland information is listed first.

Ohio, Northeast region, Cleveland area, (Broadview Heights)

Kathy Hilliard, Cleveland & Cuyahoga Wildlife Rescue & Rehab. linder@myself.com Wildlife Species: Raptors

Ohio, Northeast region, Cuyahoga County (Bay Village)..... 440 871-WILD

Dave Wolf (Director of Wildlife), Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Wildlife Species: adults and injured wildlife only

Ohio, Northeast region, Cuyahoga County (Cleveland)..... 216-235-5014

Megan Lynn Barrett, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator hhasrescue@yahoo.com Wildlife Species: All species native to the state of Ohio

Ohio, Northeast region, Cuyahoga county (Parma/North Royalton)..... 216-308-0469

Janine M Goodwin (Director), Starfish Animal Rescue soul_searcher@sbcglobal.net Wildlife Species: All local wildlife Specialties/Knowledge: Squirrels and groundhogs Ohio, Central

Ohio, Central region (Columbus)..... 614-793-WILD


Ohio Wildlife Center

Ohio, Central region, Columbus area (Reynoldsburg)..... 614-864-5534

Pamela Mayle, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator Wildlife Species: cottontail rabbit care

Ohio, Central region (Crestline)..... 419-683-3228

Jane Schnelker, Wildlife Haven wildjane@columbus.rr.com Wildlife Species: all species, IWRC State Representative, Newsletter Editor for OWRA

Ohio, Central region, Licking County (Hebron)..... 740-928-8331

Nonda Surratt, Cedar Hill Wildlife Care sasquirl@adelphia.net Wildlife Species: orphan and injured mammals

Ohio, Central region, Miami County (Troy)..... 937-698-6493

Mariann Savard, Brukner Nature Center brukner@juno.com Wildlife Species: songbirds and mammals

Ohio, Central region (New Philadelphia)..... 330-343-1141

Lesli Humphries (director/owner), Rescue, Rehab. and Release Wildlife Center ljhraccoon@tusco.net Wildlife Species: raccoons, red fox, skunks, squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, beaver, or any catagory II wildlife Specialty: raccoons

Ohio, Central region, Richland County (Mansfield)..... 419-884-HAWK

Gail Laux (director), Ohio Bird Sanctuary lauxobs@aol.com Wildlife Species: birds only

Ohio, Eastern region (Canton)..... 330-829-WILD

George & Sandra Kollar/ Kerr, Mother Nature's Children, Sandra Wildlife Center of Canton Ohio Specialty: teaching

Ohio, North Central region (Castalia)..... 419-684-9539

Mona Rutger, Back To The Wild mona@backtothewild.com Wildlife Species: all species of native wildlife except racoons Specialties: raptors and both native and non-native turtles and tortoises Comments: I have six large flight cages including a 112' Bald Eagle flight cage and accept raptors from other centers for further conditioning before release

Ohio, North Central region, Lorain County (Grafton)..... 440-926-1235

Jackie Ptacek, Mallard's Crossing jpmallard2@aol.com Wildlife Species: orphan and injured infant mammals (NO ADULTS)

Ohio, North Central region (Medina)..... 330-667-2386

Laura Jordan (director/owner/operator), Medina Raptor Center lcRaptor@aol.com Wildlife Species: raptors and injured adult songbirds only Specialty: Raptor conditioning for release Comments: We have 5-36 foot flight cages and 1-108 foot cage; we do flight work for several organizations

Ohio, North Central region, Medina County (Spencer)..... 330-667-2386

Laura Jordan, Medina Raptor Center LCraptor@aol.com Wildlife Species: raptors

Ohio, North Central region, Wyandot County (Upper Sandusky)..... 1-888-294-4477

David Balz (director), Wyandot County Humane Society, Inc. wyhumaneone@cs.com Specialty: tube feeding, IV therapy Ohio, Eastern

Ohio, Eastern region (Canton)..... 330-829-WILD


George & Sandra Kollar/ Kerr, Mother Nature's Children, Sandra Wildlife Center of Canton Ohio Specialty: teaching

Ohio, North Central region (Castalia)..... 419-684-9539

Mona Rutger, Back To The Wild mona@backtothewild.com Wildlife Species: all species of native wildlife except racoons Specialties: raptors and both native and non-native turtles and tortoises Comments: I have six large flight cages including a 112' Bald Eagle flight cage and accept raptors from other centers for further conditioning before release

Ohio, North Central region, Lorain County (Grafton)..... 440-926-1235

Jackie Ptacek, Mallard's Crossing jpmallard2@aol.com Wildlife Species: orphan and injured infant mammals (NO ADULTS)

Ohio, North Central region (Medina)..... 330-667-2386

Laura Jordan (director/owner/operator), Medina Raptor Center lcRaptor@aol.com Wildlife Species: raptors and injured adult songbirds only Specialty: Raptor conditioning for release Comments: We have 5-36 foot flight cages and 1-108 foot cage; we do flight work for several organizations

Ohio, North Central region, Medina County (Spencer)..... 330-667-2386

Laura Jordan, Medina Raptor Center LCraptor@aol.com Wildlife Species: raptors

Ohio, North Central region, Wyandot County (Upper Sandusky)..... 1-888-294-4477

David Balz (director), Wyandot County Humane Society, Inc. wyhumaneone@cs.com Specialty: tube feeding, IV therapy Ohio, Northwest

Ohio, Northwest region, Allen County (Elida)..... 419-339-1188


Cathy Hiestand (director), Tulpehocken Wildlife Rehabilitation Center kestrel@bright.net Wildlife Species: Raptors, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, ducks, songbirds, reptiles, amphibians Specialty: raptors and reptiles

Ohio, Northwest region (Kenton)..... 419-673-1977

Nancy Mabrey, Wildheart Rehabilitators' Co-op, Wildlife Species: Accept most infant mammals, raccoons, squirrels, opossums; Organizational Start-up, Slow Release

Ohio, Northwest region (Montpelier)..... 419-459-4640

Lovejoy's Halfway House Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Inc. Godcreatedkritters@frontiernet.net Wildlife Species: Black Bears, raccoons, most mammals native to Ohio Comments: 24 hr info service

Ohio, Southwest region..... 513-825-3325

Jeff Hays, Raptor, Inc. kriedel@tso.cin.ix.net (Kathryn Riedel)

Ohio, Southwest region (Fayetteville)..... 513-875-3433

Mary Carrelli, Second Chance Wildlife (president/founder) scwildlf@cinc.tds.net Wildlife Species: native and migratory Ohio wildlife species, forming a non-profit corp., oil spills

Ohio, Southwest region, Hamilton County (Cincinnati)..... 513-825-3325

Kathy McDonald (volunteer), Raptor, Inc. Wildlife Species: Birds of prey only

Ohio, Southwest region, Hamilton County (Cincinnati)..... 513-844-6340

Damien Oxier (director), Arrowhead Reptile Rescue director@arrowheadreptilerescue.org Wildlife Species: reptiles only

Ohio, Southwest region, Ross/Pike/Scioto/Vinton Counties (Lucasville)..... 740-289-8779 (H) or 740-663-2125 (W)

Melody Olaker, Scioto Trail/Great Seal State Parks Nature Center. melodyo@zoomnet.net Wildlife Species: deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, fox Comments: Accept any infant wild animal...all mammals and some raptors; cell #740-649-2962
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