Who hasn’t fallen in love with the cuteness of a wild baby animal somewhere along the line? The feeling that you should adopt a wild animal that you perceive to be in need can be strong and it’s natural to feel a desire to help and care for wildlife, especially orphaned animals. If you want to help wildlife there are lots of options—from symbolic adoptions of wild animal species or individuals that help fund the efforts of nonprofit wildlife protection or wildlife care organizations to volunteering your time at such places. One of the most important things you can do for wildlife is to know when they should be left alone. If, on the other hand, you are wondering about how to personally keep a wild animal at your home, this article will help you work through the things you need to think about.
Orphaned baby birds require frequent feedings of specialized foods that only are rehabilitator can provide.
No trouble at all…
You may be thinking that caring for a small adorable wild animal that you found seemingly orphaned will be no trouble at all. Your heart is surely in the right place and you may feel you could do anything needed. But wild animals need all sorts of things, often at inconvenient times—like repeated feedings every 20 minutes from dawn to dusk in the case of baby robins or feedings around the clock for days or weeks that very young mammals require, and not to mention that each species of wildlife has to be fed a specialized diet in order to be healthy. Most importantly, wild animals don’t learn the skills they need to survive without the right training, and they get that from animals of their own species – usually a parent(s). When wild animals are raised by people they habituate or “imprint” on humans –that is, they think they ARE people. And when they’re released, they may run up to the first person they see who may react in fear which typically leads to a tragic ending for the animal involved.
Their other needs can be highly specialized. Even trained wildlife rehabilitators may not be able to save some animals. Without training and ready access to the many specific items that are needed to provide proper care, the rest of us have little to no chance of successfully raising a wildlife orphan or helping a sick or injured wild animal back to health. You will likely be upset later knowing that the right care could have saved that little one who you lost.
And speaking of trouble…
You could be breaking a law if you keep a wild animal in your home, regardless of whether it is healthy, orphaned, sick, or injured. Federal laws, state laws, or both protect native wildlife species, and at least one special permit is required to keep a wild animal. Your city or county may also have local ordinances prohibiting the keeping of wild animals, and neighborhood associations often have covenants against it. Such laws and regulations are intended to protect both people and wildlife. Only veterinarians or those with wildlife rehabilitation training and who are permitted to do so can legally and safely attend to the needs of orphaned or injured wildlife. Also, be aware that if someone offers to sell you a wild animal, they are doing so illegally and should be reported to police. At a minimum, do not involve yourself in such a transaction.
Protecting yourself, your family, and your pets…
Taking a wild animal into your home to care for it fails to give the orphaned or injured animal the best chance for life. It also places you, your family, and your pets in potential danger. The animal may bite or scratch out of fear, or may pass along a disease. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained and prepared to protect against these dangers. You and your family will also be facing inevitable heartbreak—either the animal will not survive, causing guilt and sorrow, or the animal will survive, and you will have to let him or her go after growing deeply attached.
Like this baby squirrel, orphaned wild babies are best left in the hands of wildlife rehabilitators.
Go with what’s best for the wild animal…
What’s best for an orphaned or injured wild animal is finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, a wildlife clinic, or a receptive veterinarian, and bringing the animal in for the care that will provide the most promising chance for survival. Are you willing to do the kindest and best thing for the animal you found? To find someone who can help,” contact your local animal shelter or humane society, or use the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) online directory of licensed wildlife rehabilitators. After the animal is safely in the right helping hands, know that you have done the kindest thing possible for him or her. Even though it may have been hard, that kind of sacrifice for someone’s wellbeing is exactly what love is all about.
Still want to do more for wildlife? Don’t forget about looking for a symbolic wildlife adoption program, or trying a volunteer position at a nonprofit wildlife organization or care facility. Meanwhile, enjoy watching and learning about the wildlife all around you—in your yard, local parks, and on hikes. Seeing them going about their natural activities is safe, legal, and tons of fun!
More Information…
U.S. Fish & Wildlife directory of state wildlife agencies
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)
National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)