INTERIM INSTRUCTION IF YOU FOUND WILDLIFE
Once you determine that a wild mammal needs rescuing, contain the animal in a box or pet carrier. Remember to wear protective gloves and do not try to handle any adult wildlife yourself. If it is safe to do so, try to corral an adult mammal into a box or pet carrier. You can use a towel to scoop up a baby animal. If it is not safe to catch the animal, try to block it off to prevent its escape and call the Ottawa Humane Society for rescue help at 613-725-3166.
If you know that a wild mammal needs rescuing, take the following steps until you can reach RVWS or another wildlife rehabilitator.
- Place the animal in a covered box or pet carrier with ventilation. You can use an old t-shirt or other ravel-free material as bedding. Do not use towels and make sure there are no holes or loose threads. Cover the carrier with a towel or sheet to keep it dark.
- Leave the carrier in a warm, dark and quiet place indoors, away from pets and people. Please do not cause unnecessary stress by handling, talking to or peeking at the animal.
- All baby animals need to be kept warm. Put the box half-on and half-off a heating pad set to low, so that the animal can move to the non-heated side if it is too warm. Never place an animal directly on a heating pad. You can also fill a soda bottle with hot water, wrap it in a towel and brace it inside the box so that it does not roll on the animal. Replace the hot water frequently as it cools down.
- NEVER give the animal any food, milk, formula or water until you have talked to a wildlife rehabilitator. Feeding the wrong thing, at the wrong time or in the wrong way can harm the animal.
- To reduce stress during transportation, please turn the radio off and leave your children and pets at home.
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