A Life Is A Life No Matter How Small

NOTHING!!! Hear me out!

The general public does not have access to the PROPER formulas needed to feed these babies and make sure the babies are getting the RIGHT nutrition for their species. Information from Google is usually not correct! Do not listen to the instructions of google, random people from facebook groups, or your cousin's friend's sister's dad's brother's BFF who "raised" a baby animal once. NO! Listen to the professionals!

Baby animals need specific nutrition. On top of that, without the proper training and tools, babies can easily aspirate (fluid into the lungs) and get pneumonia, and die. Improper feeding can cause fatal GI issues.

Rehabbers can fix hungry and thirsty, but we cannot always fix improper feeding!!! That means NO cows milk, goats milk, puppy/kitten formula, soy/almond/oat milk, water, human breast milk (yup, that has happened)... NOTHING!

If you find a baby, just keep them somewhere warm, dark, safe, and quiet, and do not touch them or try to feed. Them. Get them to a LICENSED rehabilitator ONLY (mass.gov has the map of wildlife rehabilitators in the state and those are the only people legally allowed to possess wildlife), an animal control officer, or contact a veterinary hospital that accepts wildlife for assistance! Rowley Animal Hospital and Heal Veterinary Clinic in Watertown are the two I personally know of, but you can also reach out to  the New England Wildlife Centers in Weymouth and Cape Cod! 

Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning that they are active at dawn and dusk. Mom won't be hanging around the nest during the day as that will attract predators. If you are concerned, take sticks/string and make a TicTacToe pattern over the nest and LEAVE IT ALONE for 24 hours. Hanging around to check will scare away mom, so give them some space! If it has moved the next day, then mom has come and babies are fine! If it has not moved, call a rehabber because the babies will need help! Mass.gov will have the rehabber map! DO NOT attempt to care for them yourself! Bunnies are extremely fragile, and it is illegal to care for wildlife in Massachusetts without a permit from the state.

Contact a rehabber or your local animal control ASAP for guidance on transporting/capture, and to see if the animal truly is in need of help! Don't touch the animal without guidance from a professional, for both your and the animal's safety!  :)
If so, here are some points to remember:
~DO NOT FEED/GIVE WATER TO THE ANIMAL. This will do more harm than good.
~Keep them warm! A handwarmer/hot water bottle in a towel is good if you don't have a heating pad. Don't overheat them!
~Do not pet/talk to the animal. Leave them alone in silence in the box/carrier so they can destress.
~When transporting, do not play music or talk too loud.

I take squirrels (Eastern Gray, Red, Flying), chipmunks, and rabbits mainly. I take eyes open and fully furred squirrels and possum babies, but eastern cottontail rabbits I can take at any age, even eyes closed.  Other species (opossums, mice, rats, etc) are on a case by case basis due to my work schedule. I do not take rabies vector species at this time. For foxes, woodchucks/groundhogs, bats, fishers, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, etc, visit Mass.gov for a list of rehabbers in the area. You may also contact Tufts Wildlife Clinic in North Grafton or New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth or the Cape for guidance. Call my rescue at 978-594-2652 for the voicemail of current availability! 

Depending on rescue capacity, I may be able to triage non-rabies vector species and some birds/reptiles to keep them safe until they can get to another rehabilitator!

 Thank you for your generosity and kindness! Rehabbers work out of their own homes, using their own funds & public donation for the animals' care. We do not get paid by the state. You can donate via Paypal.me/SalemWildlifeRescue, and all donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE as I am a 501c3 nonprofit!  All links to this are on this website too!

Joining our Patreon is also a great way to support the rescue and see behind-the-scenes posts of goings-on at the rescue!

My personal Venmo is @jessmk3 if you prefer to use that platform!

Or you may send anything to our PO Box:  PO Box 4, Hathorne MA 01937.  Yes, Hathorne not Hawthorne :)

TOTAL MYTH! (By the way, make sure to wear gloves when handling animals 😂)

Unless there is a reason for mom abandoning the baby (baby is injured/sick/debilitated, or the mom died), mom will usually take the baby back if she is in the area. Call a rehabber or visit google for reuniting strategies! Babies ALWAYS do better in their mom's care than in the care of a rehab.

If you find a baby chipmunk or possum, call a rehabber immediately, as the baby cannot be reunited and definitely will be in need of help!

Reach out to me with suggestions for FAQ questions that you would find helpful!