What To Do if You Find a Sick, Orphaned or Injured Animal

First, rescue an animal only if: The parents have been killed, the animal appears cold, weak or injured, or it is in obvious danger. Be sure to use care, and lots of common sense!

Sick and injured animals can be unpredictable and may appear very ‘tame’. Always wear gloves and err on the side of caution, after all, they are wild animals.

Rescue Protocol

• Place animal inside a strong, well-ventilated container suitable for its size and strength (cardboard box, dog crate, recycling bin etc.)

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 • Provide some bedding material such as a tightly woven towel, blanket, newspaper or tissues. Make sure there are no loose strings or loops for the animal to tangle up into.

• Place a hot water bottle (pop bottle is good) wrapped in a towel inside the container. This is essential for warmth and comfort even when it’s a warm day.

• Cover securely, and keep it in a warm, quiet area. Keep your pets away, they are seen as predators.

• Do not attempt to feed it as this can cause additional stress!

• Always move slowly and quietly, and if you must, speak in a low, calming voice.

• If the animal is dehydrated (this means the skin “tents” when pinched, eyes are sunken, gums are pale), provide some form of re-hydration. Water, or a re-hydration fluid, can be given in small amounts. If the animal can lap from a dish – great! If not, use a syringe or eye dropper and drip small amounts into the corner of their mouths, making sure they swallow without choking.

Keep the welfare of the animal in mind, setting your emotions and feelings about it aside. Remember, you are considered a predator to them! Too many orphaned and injured wild-ones stress needlessly, and some can even die, when they are handled too much, or are smothered with kindness.

Woodland Wildlife Sanctuary founded by Monika Melichar in 2008 is located in Minden, Ontario and is a private wildlife rehabilitation centre located on 45 acres. With a BSc in zoology and with over 25 years’ experience rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife, Monika is authorized as a Wildlife Custodian by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and also holds a special Migratory Bird permit, allowing the sanctuary and all the volunteers to care for most species of wildlife. At WWS they believe that every orphaned, sick or injured wild animals deserves a second chance at life, and work tirelessly to ensure that they all receive the best possible care. WWS is a 100% volunteer-based charity, they do not charge for services, rather relying on public donations to keep the centre going.

Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary, Saving our Wildlife  – One Animal at a Time705 286-1133,  info@woodlandswildlifesanctuary.ca
www.woodlandswildlifesanctuary.ca