WALLINGFORD, CT (WFSB) – Animal Control in Wallingford posted a list of “dos and don’ts” after someone brought in a nest of eastern cottontails that were attacked by a dog.

Animal control said that the woman brought in the traumatized baby rabbits on Saturday.

“One unfortunately passed in transit but the remaining three did not appear to have any obvious injuries,” the officers said. “Poor babies were just in complete shock.”

They said they set rabbits up in a makeshift fleece nest and kept them in a dark, quiet location while they contacted licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

They found one and were able to drive the three cottontails over to her.

They then posted what to do and what not to do when coming across potentially orphaned or hurt baby animals.

• DON’T assume every baby animal you see needs intervention. Most do not. Mother bunnies and deer, for example, leave their babies all day long so as not to draw attention from predators. Fledgling birds spend time on the ground while figuring out flight, but their parents are nearby watching and feeding them. Raccoons will leave their den to go forage so they can feed their young. Most baby animals out there are simply wherever they’re meant to be during that stage of their life.
• DO contact a licensed wildlife rehabber, ACO, or DEEP for advice before picking up the animal and taking it home. Pictures and videos are a huge help in making those determinations. Often, healthy babies can be reunited with a mother, and a professional should be able to walk people through reunification attempts. Wild babies are always best raised by their parents.
• Any cat-caught animal needs a licensed rehabber. Even if people can’t see obvious punctures, they are probably there, and the Pasteurella bacteria from the cat’s mouth will kill the animal within a day or two. Those injured animals will need antibiotics and supportive care.

If it’s determined that the animal does need intervention:

• DON’T attempt to do it alone. Not only is it illegal, but it often results in malnutrition, irreversible conditions caused by nutrient deficiencies, and even death. There’s a reason rehabbers have to receive education and mentorship before they’re able to be licensed. It’s not as simple as Googling information and then picking up some puppy formula from Petco, or digging up worms from a backyard. Every species has its own specific dietary needs. Every species and life stage thereof will need to be kept within a certain temperature range and will not be able to digest food if their body temp is too low, or if they’re dehydrated. With so many nuanced details to consider, it is best left to the trained professionals.
• DO call a local animal control officer or look for a rehabber who handles that particular type of animal. Rehabbers are volunteers who often have full time jobs, families, etc. People may have to bring the animal to them; if that’s not possible, however, there can be transport volunteers to which people can be connected.

If a person secures a place for the animal to go:

• DON’T feed the animal or offer water. Feeding the wrong thing, or feeding when the animal is cold will be harmful. Aspiration pneumonia is also a huge concern. Don’t handle the animal unless absolutely necessary. Handling is extremely stressful for newborns, even if they appear calm. Many animals can succumb to something called “capture myopathy”, which is most often fatal. Don’t take them out for selfies, or pass them around to kids or neighbors to pet, do not snuggle them, etc. None of that is beneficial to the animal, but it is detrimental.
• DO put the animal in a secure box or carrier and place them in a dark, quiet, and warm location where they will not be disturbed. Some animals, like wood ducklings, need to be “packaged” in a specific way for their safety. The rehabber people work with will give them instructions on what they’ll need to do. No music or loud conversations on the way to the rehabber. The ride will be stressful enough for the babies without the additional stimuli.

Since the rehabbers most often pay for all of their supplies out of their own pockets, Wallingford animal control said people might want to consider offering them a donation, or ask if they have an Amazon wish list from which they can order them necessary supplies.

“We love Good Samaritans who jump to action when they see wildlife in need, and we love our incredible rehabber friends,” animal control said. “Let’s all work cohesively to help our beloved wildlife in whatever ways are best for the animals.”

For a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators, head here.

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