ARK Animal Rescue
Injured Animals:
When approaching an injured animal, remember that they are scared, in pain and do not understand you are there to help. Be very careful, the animal may turn on you in defense of his well being and give you some nasty bites and scratches. Covering the animal's head may calm it down. If you are going to handle the animal, use a heavy blanket, coat, etc. to place over the animal and use thick gloves and coat to protect your hands and arms. Place the animal in a secure box, (with air holes) never loose in the automobile and contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
**Caution: If an animal appears sick, such as unsteady on its feet, unusually calm or irrational, drainage from eyes, nose and/or mouth, do not approach it. This animal could have rabies or other contagious diseases. Do not approach injured deer. Their kick can cause severe injuries. Call your local animal control officer.
When approaching an injured animal, remember that they are scared, in pain and do not understand you are there to help. Be very careful, the animal may turn on you in defense of his well being and give you some nasty bites and scratches. Covering the animal's head may calm it down. If you are going to handle the animal, use a heavy blanket, coat, etc. to place over the animal and use thick gloves and coat to protect your hands and arms. Place the animal in a secure box, (with air holes) never loose in the automobile and contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
**Caution: If an animal appears sick, such as unsteady on its feet, unusually calm or irrational, drainage from eyes, nose and/or mouth, do not approach it. This animal could have rabies or other contagious diseases. Do not approach injured deer. Their kick can cause severe injuries. Call your local animal control officer.
Orphaned Animals
Orphaned:
Baby animals that have fallen from the nest or wandered from their dens, lost their mother, or have been abandoned are orphans. They need further rehabilitation in order to survive on their own in the wild. When you see a baby on the ground near a nest or den, watch for a few minutes to see if the mother returns to retrieve her young. If she doesn't and the baby appears very thin, cold, crying, and/or flies around it, that is a sure sign that it is orphaned. Sometimes babies are left alone while the mother is searching for food. Deer and rabbits are prime examples. Mother deer and rabbits do not stay with their young during the day. They will be several feet away watching over them so as not to attract predators.
If you feel that the baby animals are orphaned, place it in a covered box (with air holes) and keep warm, dark and quiet. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further assistance.
For a list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators, please refer to the DWR website and search for a rehabilitation in your area. https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators/
Baby animals that have fallen from the nest or wandered from their dens, lost their mother, or have been abandoned are orphans. They need further rehabilitation in order to survive on their own in the wild. When you see a baby on the ground near a nest or den, watch for a few minutes to see if the mother returns to retrieve her young. If she doesn't and the baby appears very thin, cold, crying, and/or flies around it, that is a sure sign that it is orphaned. Sometimes babies are left alone while the mother is searching for food. Deer and rabbits are prime examples. Mother deer and rabbits do not stay with their young during the day. They will be several feet away watching over them so as not to attract predators.
If you feel that the baby animals are orphaned, place it in a covered box (with air holes) and keep warm, dark and quiet. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further assistance.
For a list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators, please refer to the DWR website and search for a rehabilitation in your area. https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators/
