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: RaptorsOhio, Northeast region, Cuyahoga County (Bay Village)..... 440 871-WILD
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 OhioOhio, 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, CentralOhio, 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 careOhio, Central region (Crestline)..... 419-683-3228
Ohio, Central region, Licking County (Hebron)..... 740-928-8331
Nonda Surratt, Cedar Hill Wildlife Care sasquirl@adelphia.net Wildlife Species: orphan and injured mammalsOhio, Central region, Miami County (Troy)..... 937-698-6493
Mariann Savard, Brukner Nature Center brukner@juno.com Wildlife Species: songbirds and mammalsOhio, 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: raccoonsOhio, Central region, Richland County (Mansfield)..... 419-884-HAWK
Gail Laux (director), Ohio Bird Sanctuary lauxobs@aol.com Wildlife Species: birds onlyOhio, Eastern region (Canton)..... 330-829-WILD
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 releaseOhio, 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 organizationsOhio, North Central region, Medina County (Spencer)..... 330-667-2386
Laura Jordan, Medina Raptor Center LCraptor@aol.com Wildlife Species: raptorsOhio, North Central region, Wyandot County (Upper Sandusky)..... 1-888-294-4477
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 releaseOhio, 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 organizationsOhio, North Central region, Medina County (Spencer)..... 330-667-2386
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, NorthwestOhio, 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 ReleaseOhio, 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 serviceOhio, Southwest region..... 513-825-3325
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 spillsOhio, Southwest region, Hamilton County (Cincinnati)..... 513-825-3325
Kathy McDonald (volunteer), Raptor, Inc. Wildlife Species: Birds of prey onlyOhio, Southwest region, Hamilton County (Cincinnati)..... 513-844-6340
Damien Oxier (director), Arrowhead Reptile Rescue director@arrowheadreptilerescue.org Wildlife Species: reptiles onlyOhio, 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