The number of Rehabilitators in Massachusetts is at a critical low. Now more than ever, there is a need for interested individuals to step forward and learn how to become a licensed rehabilitator in our state. The exam is offered at no charge at the Boston and Westboro office of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The contact number is: 1-617-626-1575 and the person to speak with is Mr. Bob Arini. Currently, the exam is being re-written and all interested persons should contact Mr. Arini for future exam dates. The text used for this exam is primarily from the manual "Principals Of Wildlife Rehabilitation" By Adele T. Moore and Sally Joosten. You can purchase a copy of this manual from the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. The phone number is: 1-320-230-9920 or log onto www.nwrawildlife.org/hom.asp. I also found the Peterson Guide to North American Wildlife extremely helpful then and now. You can purchase these guides from Amazon.com or your local bookstore.
In order to be a successful rehabilitator, you need to know your state laws, get your license, know your species and their habitat, realize this is not a paid position (you will incur all costs of which you will not be re-imbursed monetarily) , have the room and space to care for your wild patients, the space indoors and out to build/or house enclosures, a secure and legal release area...and mostly you need patience, love, understanding, time and a secure income. You need to think long and hard about becoming a rehabilitator-it is a serious commitment. There are hazards such as rabies which is a fatal disease. Distemper is carried by fox and coyote. The raccoon round worm is also fatal if ingested by humans or domestic pets. Knowing your species and practicing excellent hygeine are your best preventitive measures.
If you do want to work with mamals, it is highly suggested you get your rabies shots. Common sense is crucial! There are books on every subject and experienced rehabilitators that can answer your questions and concerns. The organization for Massachusetts is: WRAM (Wildlife Rehabilitators of Massachusetts) The web address is: www.wraminc.org. This organization is a wonderful way to connect with other Massachusetts rehabbers, The website has pertinent information on "what to do...." links to other great, informative sites and information on upcoming events. Another very helpful publication on wildlife is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Today Magazine. This is a great publication sent out four times a year. Please visit their website at www.wildliferehabtoday and subscribe today. They have a section at the back of the magazine that lists all their back issues as well as an extensive list of professional books on different topics of rehabilitation. You can also call them at: 1-561-795-4561.
I hope I have stirred a passion in you to learn more about becoming a rehabilitator. Anyone over the age of 18 that proves they have the means and commitment to wildlife can become a rehabilitator. Log onto the WRAM website for upcoming symposiums and more information. Feel free to email me with any and all questions, I will do my best to answer your questions and if I do not know the answer, I will direct you to the proper source, Stay tuned for more information about wildlife rehabilitation.
Alison Cuff is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for the state of Massachusetts. She often receives calls from people with questions concerning hurt or orphaned animals. Information relating to the initial care for animals in these situations can be hard to come by and is often eroneous. Below are proceedures and guidelines followed by
licensed rehabilitators.
One of my favorite books on squirrel care was written by P.C. Hanes and Jennifer Simmons in 1990 called "Rehabilitation of Tree Squirrels." There is also some wonderful information on
www.squirrelsandmore.com.
When I receive a call about baby squirrels and most days in the spring my husband and I answer SEVERAL each day, the person has already put them in a box and wants to know : "Now what do I do..." If there is any chance at all of reuniting an orphan with its mother, that is the absolute best thing to do. Sometimes people mistake a young squirrel that has come down from the tree to take a look around as an orphan. In actuality, young squirrels are a little bit wobbly on their feet the first time out of the nest and not very sure of themselves, Often, mom is not very far away. A true orphan most times is very young, it has either fallen out of the nest, another animal tried to grab it during an unsuccessful attempt, or mom has died and the babies eventually crawl to find mom and end up falling...neither scenario is very good.
Squirrels are born with no fur and their eyes and ears closed. It is essential to keep these babies warm until help can be obtained. Wild babies can not regulate their own body temperature and most times the most help a person can be is to provide a box with a blanket or fleece and a heating source. There is a product available at most pet stores and at www.jefferspets.com called a "Snuggle Pad" and it is used for puppies and kittens. The cost is about $25.00 and this Frisbee shaped disk can be microwaved for 3-6 minutes, comes with its own cover and can be placed under BEDDING (never directly under or on an animal), to provide hours of heat for an infant. A plastic soda bottle can also be turned into a heating source by filling it with very hot water, placing it inside an old tube sock, tie the top of the sock tight and make sure it does not leak. This can be placed inside with the animal, again making sure it does not roll and crush the infant. Basically you are taking the place of the babies mother until help can be found and that means warmth first. I also have small, stuffed toys (no parts that can be pulled off or cause harm to an animal) that I give to the infant (s) so they think Mom is still with them. An example is, I have a beanie baby squirrel or puppy that I give to baby squirrels, they can cuddle with the toy and it's about the right size.
Never give a wild baby human milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, or any cow's milk mixture. After the baby is warm, hydration is the next most important thing a rehabilitator does. If we are lucky, the baby will take water from an empty syringe(ALWAYS an empty syringe never a needle...again, thats the common sense part) or dropper. Sometimes it is essential to give a baby IV fluids and that should only be done by a vet or rehabilitator. Infant squirrels use ESBILAC for their formula which is available at any pet store, this is actually a puppy replacement formula. Esbilac is the appropriate formula and not the cheaper puppy formulas readily available. Empty 1, 2,3 cc syringes are very helpful in squirrel feedings. Initially, a 1-cc empty syringe is used for newborns, then a 2 cc syringe can be used for infants, gradually using a 3 cc syringe for older youngsters. There is a schedule of feedings and amount to feed available from many resources, but a rehabiltator should be consulted first.
Infant squirrels have very specific feedings times and the very young (up to 1 week) are fed warm formula (warm to the wrist), every 2 1/2 hours and at night. All infants require a formula adjustment period and the first few feedings are formula mixed with water a 2:1 ratio( 2 parts water-1 part esbilac). All baby animals need to be stimulated after each feeding to urinate or defecate, as they can not do that on their own for the first couple of weeks. Squirrels and other animals are also fed on all fours, meaning you place a towel on your lap and place the animal on its feet on your lap. A mistake that is made is to hold the baby up in the air or on its back when feeding. Think about puppies and kittens when they nurse, they are on their "all fours" or belly position, this is the same for wild babies.1-2 weeks they receive 6-8 feedings per day, 2-3 weeks 5-6 feedings per day or every 3-4 hours plus once during the night. 3-4 weeks of age again every 4 hours plus once during the night, and at 4-5 weeks they eat every 4 hours and not during the night. 5-6 weeks of age the have 3 or 4 feedings and at this point they are weaning from formula to rodent block and some veggies, water from a rabbit water bottle affixed to the side of the cage, and fruits. Squirrels receive crushed rodent block mixed with their formula when they reach that 6-7 week mark and at the same time pieces of rodent block which is available at grain and feed stores are offered to them along with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other necessities to help them keep their teeth sharp and growing. Before they are released they need to have a very bushy tail, be able to climb, eat full size pieces of rodent block, chew properly and maintain a good weight.They need to recognize native seeds, trees, leaves, etc.. to their area. One has to have the proper caging as well, a small cat crate is fine for the first 5 weeks, but they need room to grow and a place to learn to climb inside and eventually outside.
Most people do not realize that a baby wild animal needs so much care and concern. It is a very great responsibility that wildlife rehabilitators take on and we do not receive any state funding or grants to pay for what we do. We all work from the kindness of our hearts, unless we go on to fund and open a wildlife center. (Of which I am years away from). Myself and many others have a designated place to care for wildlife and depend on our own salaries, our mates' salaries and the kindness of strangers and friends to keep going in our efforts to help wildlife. This information is intended for your interest and does not take the place of an experienced rehabilitator or vet. I have told you how to obtain your own license and I can tell you it is rewarding to help the wild ones who have no voice. We all know it is difficult to find homes for the thousands of unwanted domestic pets, and money is tight for all of us, however someone has to care about that squirrel or raccoon or cardinal and the many others that also share this earth with us, they count too and they have a place in our eco system. No life is less important than another, we are all connected and humans need to take responsibility for this planet and all the animals that share it with us.
First and foremost - do not approach an injured raccoon. They are a rabies species and under Massachusetts law it is illegal for the public to care for, transport or rehabilitate wildlife. Also you do not want to be bitten and have to deal with the rabies series of injections. That said, I do not want anyone to panic enough that they leave an injured raccoon to die if there is a chance of survival. Call me or call one of the numbers on the Mass Wildlife site. If I can not help you I will find someone who can. There is also a Massachusetts Rehabilitators website called "Wildlife Rehabilitators Of Massachusetts" or WRAM and they also have a list of rehabilitators.
In most instances, baby raccoons have been found because mom is dead. Again, if the situation is you see little ones frolicking around the yard at night , chances are mom is very close and they are not orphaned, leave them alone. Raccoons are considered pests by most people and that's because they don't know much about them. They are wonderful , intelligent animals and like to be left alone. They are opportunistic and if a human leaves food out or does not cover their trash can, this is considered an invitation for raccoons, opossums and skunks. How can people blame these creatures for doing what comes naturally to them, finding food. Baby raccoons that are orphaned first need warmth and a secure environment. Initially a cat crate will do the trick until these animals reach a rehabilitator. A heating device such as the snuggle pad referred to above or the soda bottle filled with hot water, tied tight in a tube sock (make sure it does not leak) placed in the crate along with a blanket or fleece. Some rehabilitators use Esbilac (puppy replacement formula) and some books tell you to use KMR (kitten replacement milk formula). Raccoons are fed using a baby bottle and like squirrels have a similar feeding schedule depending on their age. Again, never give a wild animal regular cow's milk or any evaporated, condensed milk. Raccoons require extensive care which is best done by an experienced, licensed person. They have different needs from squirrels and spend a great deal more time in rehabilitation than a squirrel or cotton tail. Raccoons are a rabies species and sometimes babies do have this disease, most times not. They do carry a round worm which is also fatal if ingested by humans so they need to be given de-worming medicine on a scheduled basis. The point is, this animal requires experience and extra care when working with these guys, so its best to seek professional advice as soon as possible.
The eastern cottontail is the most prevalent in this area and most times I receive calls about orphans. Most orphaned bunnies are not orphans at all. This interesting species produces several litters per year, 6-8 per litter. The gestation period for a cottontail is only 28 days. Cottontails like to make nests in grassy fields or near lots of bushy growth.They make a depression in the ground, line the nest with hair, birth their young then cover the nest with twigs and grass. Moms leave the nest for a great deal of time as a safety measure and to eat.Young cottontails mature very quickly, at 4-5 weeks old they are left on their own completely. Sometimes as early as 2-3 weeks. They have a very delicate nervous system and stress-out in captivity. Unless that animal is truly orphaned (most times they are not, they are just old enough for mom to leave) it is best to leave them alone. When you do get a true orphan, they are given Esbilac formula and again the first couple of feedings use a mix or 2:1 water-esbilac. Cottontails are very delicate and need a very quiet and gentle atmosphere. All wild animals should always be kept in a warm, quiet, stress-free environment. They maintain an every 2 hour feeding schedule, stimulation after feeding for new borns then gradually taper off until week 3. These animals also will eat from an empty 1 or 2 cc syringe. Early on, cottontails are offered fresh grass, clover, dandelion greens, timothy hay, field hay and water from a rabbit water bottle attached to the side of a cage.Young cottontails that survive rehabilitation need a constant food source and along with the mentioned items, one can offer berries (especially blueberries), apples pieces, carrot and their tops, kale, romaine lettuce. they need a cage that offers a box or crate to retreat into, this simulates their den or burrow. when releasing a cottontail one looks for dense brush or empty tree stumps, away from the road and other dangers. There is a good web site to visit for information: www.awrc.org/Cottontail%2ORabbits.htmÊ
Opossums are marsupials which mean their young are born and develop inside the mothers pouch. The baby is independent at age 3 1/2 months. There is a great website devoted to the opossum: "Opossum Society Of The United States." A licensed rehabilitator should be called when you find an opossum, if a mother has been hit by a car and the babies are still clinging onto her, they have some fur and their eyes are open there is a good chance these babies can survive with a rehabilitator. SAFELY (safety first for you and for them), gather any babies from the road, place them in a box, keep them warm, safe and quiet and call a rehabilitator or vet right away. There is a wildlife centerÊin Brewster, MA that specializes in opossums, turtles, reptiles and other mammals called CARAPACE 508-896-2464. .