Sabrina and I have found that our neighbors in Southwestern Virginia are very concerned about wildlife, so we want to provide some guidelines.
General rules which apply to birds and mammals:
If you see blood or obvious injury, or if attacked by a dog or cat, call us.
Never offer food or water to wildlife you find.
Virginia law forbids keeping wildlife, but does provide for a 48 hour Good Samaritan exemption, until you can find a licensed rehabber.
If it is a small animal or bird, pick it up gently, and put it in a box lined with paper towels or cloth. Then put a secure lid on the box, and place it in a warm, quiet room where it will be safe from cats, dogs, and children.
Birds: If you see a small, feathered bird hopping about, tail feathers ½ inch or longer, he’s ‘fledging’; learning to fly. Keep an eye on it [but stay out of sight]. The parent will often make quick trips to the youngster. But, if there are no parental visits in an hour, call us. If not feathered, call us.
If a bird hits a window, and cannot fly, put it in a small box [as above]; check in one hour, if able to fly, release; if not, call us.
Raptors [Hawks, Owls]: Observe any raptor you see on the ground. Unless eating, he shouldn’t remain there. Occasionally, a hawk will eat too much and be unable to lift off. Watch for an hour; call us if still there. Seeing owls in the daytime probably indicates trouble.
Mammals: If you see baby squirrels on the ground, call us to discuss the best solution.
If a small squirrel comes up to you, put it in a small, covered box, and call us.
Uninjured baby rabbits [often found while mowing or weed-eating] if uninjured, try to find its ground-nest; it’s a small scooped-out area. Put them back, cover with grass; mom will be back when it’s time to feed [usually after dark or early morning].
We are the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center located in Roanoke County. We are a not-for-profit organization whose mission it is to further the environment and ecology of the Roanoke Valley through public education and the rehabilitation of wildlife indigenous to southwestern Virginia.
Our Executive Director is Sabrina Garvin with over twenty-years’ experience in wildlife rehabilitation. We depend on donations from the public. If you find an injured, orphaned or sick animal or bird, call us. We will discuss the best way to deal with the animal, and take it into our facility if needed.
540-798-9836 or www.facebook.com/SWVAWILDLIFE
Order Lucky’s new book: “What If I Was A…?” A Children’s Guide to Wildlife.
$20.00 plus S&H; all proceeds go to the wildlife center.