Wildlife in Distress

What To Do and Where To Go for Help
Updated -- November 2 2014
By Chris McConnell

If you live in Durham Region and have found an injured, orphaned or sick wild animal, you probably already know that there is little help in our area for our local wildlife when they need it.  This will only become a larger problem with all the land encroachment taking place in North Durham.

As a wildlife hospital volunteer, I am inundated with requests for advice on what to do when a wild animal that needs help is found, especially this time of year, and that has prompted me to compile the following. 

Spring marks the start of baby season and with all that cuteness unfortunately come some sad and dangerous wildlife situations.  The worst time to realize that you don't know how to help is when you are witnessing an emergency situation unfold in front of you.  Wildlife Rehabilitators do a great job of providing online information on what to do (and what not to do) when encountering wildlife in need of help, and it only takes a few minutes to read through this so that you are better prepared should you need to provide some assistance.   The best of human intentions can result in the death of an animal, or injury to humans, and it pays to be educated.

WHAT TO DO

In most cases, rehab centres will instruct you to do the following if you encounter an animal that is clearly in need of help (for example, hit by a car or attacked by another animal).  It is important to note that raccoons can carry raccoon roundworm, a dangerous parasite that can be transmitted to humans if contact is made with an infected animal's feces.  Utmost care must be exercised when working with raccoons, and not all hospitals are equipped to treat them.  Always put your own safety first! 

ADULTS:  Use a towel to cover the animal.  Gently place it into a carrier or box with airholes.  Keep it in a dark, quiet and warm place away from people and pets.  Don’t peek at it (very stressful) and never offer any food or water unless instructed to do so.  Immediately call a Wildlife Rehabilitator for further instruction. 

BABIES:  Unless it is obviously sick, injured or in immediate danger, do NOT contain it but keep an eye on it and contact a rehabilitator for instruction. 

The links below provide information on how you can help, including the safe containment of an animal, what to look for, and temporary care instructions.  Please take a moment to click through these links so that you will be ready to take action should you find an animal that needs your help.  It’s also a good idea to keep a box with air holes already in place, a towel, and a pair of gloves in your car as these tools can help in most emergency situations you may encounter.

Online Emergency Instructional Resources

http://torontowildlifecentre.com/help

http://www.sandypineswildlife.org/?page_id=118

http://www.sandypineswildlife.org/?page_id=113

http://www.shadesofhope.ca/whattodo.html

WHO TO CALL

Only a licensed wildlife rehabilitator can legally keep and treat injured, orphaned or sick wildlife in Ontario.  It is important to note that your municipal Animal Services is not structured to operate as a wildlife hospital.  They have a different mandate, and in most cases, they euthanize wildlife that they receive calls about and this includes wildlife that could be easily rehabilitated.  Even if you think the animal is in severe distress and should be euthanized, it is best that you speak to a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator to discuss the situation.  They will determine over the phone if the animal should immediately be euthanized to end its suffering (in which case you may be told to call Animal Services) or that the animal should come in for treatment.  Some hospitals have rescue teams for situations that are dangerous and require special skills.  Either way, they can make this call by asking you questions about what you observe.  It is also important to note:

• Wildlife rehabilitation hospitals are not funded by government at any level and all financial resources must be focused on medical care.  In most cases they are not able to provide pick-up service and will provide you with instructions on how to safely contain the animal for transport.
• Spring to late fall is “busy season” for these hospitals.  Please be patient if you don’t hear back right away, and should you be told that the animal you’ve found can’t be admitted by a facility, don’t get angry and don’t give up.  It is difficult for these centres to turn away any animal but unfortunately lack of government support leaves them all stretched to capacity at times and they have no choice.  Try the next number on the list.
• It is easy to unintentionally orphan a young animal because you think it has been abandoned by a parent.  But an animal that appears orphaned isn't always orphaned.  Before you remove the baby, call a licensed rehabilitator for advice (unless of course it is in imminent danger, in which case consult the resource links to safely contain).
• It is not in an animal’s or your own best interest to attempt rehabilitation at home.  It is illegal and violates some or all of municipal, provincial and/or federal laws.  Many wildlife hospitals receive patients that are the result of a botched attempt at at-home rehab and in most cases they must be euthanized.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation facilities run on private donations.  Whenever possible, when you drop off an animal please make a donation to help with the care of the animal you are bringing in.    Most also have a “wish list” on their website if you are able to donate goods such as cleaning and construction supplies. 

Below are licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres within Two Hours of Durham Region. 

This list has been compiled from conversations with hospital staff, and/or their published material. This listing will be updated as new information becomes available.  If you know of another licensed rehabilitator in and around Durham Region please let me know and I will add to this list.

Shades of Hope

(705) 437-4654

http://www.shadesofhope.ca

Pefferlaw, Ontario

Accept: 

Most mammals and birds, including baby mammals with eyes still closed, and nestlings (birds with our without feathers that should still be in the nest).

Do Not Accept: 

Raccoons of any age.

Toronto Wildlife Centre

(416) 631-0662

http://www.torontowildlifecentre.com

Downsview Park - Toronto, Ontario

Accept: 

Most juvenile and adult birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians 

including rabies vector species (fox, raccoon, skunks, and bats). 

Do Not Accept: 

Some mammal babies with eyes still closed (depends on species); Deer; Baby songbirds that still rely on a parent to feed them (some baby birds that are not songbirds, such as Mourning Doves, 

Pigeons and Kestrals are admitted) 

Notes:

Listen to recorded message in its entirety. During busy season (May to October), there are times when certain regions cannot be serviced due to lack of room. 

Note that phone calls are triaged and emergency calls are returned first. 

Sandy Pines

(613) 354-0264

info@sandypineswildlife.org

Napanee, Ontario 

Accept: 

Most mammals and birds, including nestlings.

Shortcut to Serenity

(705) 428-6116

Stayner, Ontario

Accept: 

Raccoons and migratory birds, some other species as well (confirm by phone)

Procyon Wildlife Vet and Rehab

(905) 729-0033

Beeton, Ontario

Accept: 

All mammal species native to Ontario

Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre

(705) 741-5000

Peterborough, Ontario

Accept: 

Turtles only

The Owl Foundation

owlmail@sympatico.ca

Vineland, Ontario

Accept: 

Owls only

Notes:

TOF partners with other rehabilitators who will stabilized injured owls and then transport them to The Owl Foundation. Do not contact via email for emergencies. 

 Contact one of the above rehabbers instead.

Wild Earth Refuge (currently unavailable)

(289) 356-2826

Kelli Polsinelli, wildearthrefuge@gmail.com

www.wildearthrefuge.com

Accept: 

Squirrels, Opossums, Rabbits, Birds and some other species (confirm by phone)

There is no government support for wildlife care in Durham.  If you live in Durham Region PLEASE contact your city council to voice your concern.  We should not have to travel for hours to get these animals the help they need and deserve.