Pets & Animals

Opening Arms, Homes To Orphaned Wildlife

(WCCO) April showers are bringing more than just May flowers. Wild animals oftentimes become orphans this time of year and need help from humans.

In fact, the problem of orphaned animals is so bad in May and June that experts at the Animal Humane Society receive nearly 70 needy wild animals every day.

In 2000, the organization saw less than 1,000 cases, but since then, the number has jumped to more than 3,000 last year alone.

The Animal Humane Society sees an especially large number of wild animals needing help during the spring, when the snow has melted, and animals are out and about. The animals they help includes rabbits, squirrels and birds.

"Most of the wildlife that we get in is due to human interactions, and humans are causing the injury, by creating orphans by displacing the parents, by hitting them with cars or having dogs or our cats injuring the animals," said Laura Nelson, a Wildlife Technician for the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.

For instance, a rabbit recently taken in by the Animal Humane Society was attacked by a cat and pulled out of its nest. Animal experts gave the rabbit some much needed medical care.

"We want people to extend compassion to wildlife. We want them to know that the Humane Society offers wildlife services," said Nelson.

Sometimes the family dog will hurt the mother of wild rabbits or squirrels, and when that happens, the babies are left orphaned. The Animal Humane Society takes care of them initially, and then asks wildlife rehabbers to nurse the babies back to health.

"Yes, I do enjoy it. I enjoy it," said Peggy Stadheim, as she gives a baby squirrel some food.

She and her husband, Layton, have turned part of their basement into an area devoted to wildlife in a Twin Cities suburb. There are a number of cages in a small room, and a lot of food for the animals in a cabinet.

Stadheim's motherly instincts come out every night around dinnertime, when her babies need food and care.

"So we just let them get fat and be self-feeding. And in another week, they'll be ready to be released," said Stadheim.

She spends hundreds of dollars of her own money every year on food and supplies for some 600 wildlife she cares for. Once they're healthy, she releases them at a local park back into the wild.

"It's my way of giving back a little bit," said Stadheim.

 

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