Dealing with Distressed Small Mammals

Squirrels - Occasionally young squirrels fall from their nest onto the ground. Before bringing these animals to a rehabilitator, try reuniting them with the adults by placing them in a basket and hanging it securely in the original nesting tree. Wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the young squirrels. If they are not retrieved within 24 hours contact a rehabilitator.

Rabbits - Rabbits tend to hide their young and visit them just a few times in a 24-hour period to prevent predators from finding the nest. If a nest of rabbits is disturbed, place the young rabbits back in the nest, cover them with leaf litter and place an X of string over the nest. Check it 12 -24 hours later to see if the string has been moved. If the female rabbit has returned to feed her young she will move the leaf litter and then push it back over the young so the string will no longer be in the shape of an X. If she does not return contact a rehabilitator.

Remember:

• Young rabbits leave the nest and are able to eat on their own within 3-4 weeks even though they are extremely small.
• If their eyes are open and they are eating solid foods they are not orphans! If this is the case they should not be moved or brought to a rehabilitator.

Cat Wounds - Cat wounds can become easily infected. Any animal with a noticeable puncture wound from a cat should be treated by a rehabilitator.

What else can I do? - Listed below are volunteers who are authorized to care for sick, injured or orphaned small mammals with the intent of returning them back to the wild. There are listings of other volunteers who handle other mammals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and deer. If you need assistance with one of these mammals, read the Dealing with Distressed Wildlife page.