What To Do if You Find Wildlife In Need of Assistance Before the Center is Open
 

What should you do if you find wildlife in need of help before the Center is open? We hope to break ground Spring 2010, but will likely not be fully functional before Spring 2011. With strong financial support we could be open sooner, though! (LINK TO DONATE)

Most wild species require special care and special housing, so it is critical that they are taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Before providing food or water, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Sometimes less help is really better help unless you've been trained to work with wildlife. Mostly, these animals will need to be put in a sturdy and appropriate container (usually a cardboard box will suffice) and kept in a warm, dark and quiet place. But, BEFORE YOU RESCUE an animal, here are some important things to consider.

• First, understand that we cannot take that wild baby bunny or squirrel or raccoon or robin we find and raise it as a pet. That's illegal. We put ourselves and everyone around us at risk, too. Wild animals can carry diseases that can transfer to us, not to mention their sharp claws or teeth that can inflict substantial wounds.

• Second, determine whether the animal really needs help. This can be difficult to determine, especially in the spring when wild babies abound. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association website has very good guidance diagrams that may help you if you find a wild youngster. If you find a baby mammal you think needs human assistance, see http://www.nwrawildlife.org/documents/jacobs_mammals.PDF. If you find a baby bird that may need help, see http://www.nwrawildlife.org/documents/jacobs_birds.pdf or call your county board http://www.mycountyparks.com.

If you find injured, sick or orphaned wildlife, be sure you protect yourself from the animal's teeth, beak, claws or talons and the animal from further harm from your actions, however well-intended. There are some animals that an inexperienced person should never try to rescue, including adult deer. Handling wildlife is rarely an easy task. Seek help or at least advice from knowledgeable people by calling your county conservation board office, DNR biologist, animal control or humane society, veterinarian or local wildlife rehabilitators. Remember, not everyone will have the experience, knowledge or capacity to help with every situation.

For a list of Iowans with a permit that enables them to legally rehabilitate wildlife protected by the state, see http://www.iowadnr.gov/cs/files/wildliferehab.pdf. (NOTE: Many of these rehabilitators cannot legally care for wildlife protected by the federal government, such as songbirds and raptors, but they will most likely be able to either help transport the animal to someone with a federal permit or will give you the name and contact information of that person.)