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It is very important that healthy, uninjured wildlife babies are reunited with their moms. We are always happy to provide guidance through our Hotline: 800-388-2972
Please follow the instructions below for the best chance at reuniting.
Never feed or give water to any wildlife babies.
1: Do Not feed the baby squirrel or give water.
2: Check the baby for injuries, including blood, bruising, or bites. Contact us through our Hotline if you are unsure.
3: If the baby is uninjured, prepare a box or basket with a hand warmer, rice sock, or other temporary heat source that is covered with straw or fleece. Place the baby in the box. Baby must be kept warm with an external heat source. Mom will not pick up a cold baby.
4: Place the box at the base of, or secure it directly to, the tree where the baby was found on the ground. Keep out of direct sunlight. Example photo below.
5: Play "baby gray squirrel calls". You can find these on Youtube. This will help mom find baby faster.
6: Leave the area (this includes dogs and cats as well)! Monitor the box from inside. Mom will not come down for her baby if she feels unsafe. Allow 24 hours for mom to get baby.
7: Bring box inside if it begins raining. If baby is not picked up before evening, they should be brought inside for the night. Keep warm and try again at first light. Do not feed or give water!
1: Do Not feed the baby bird or give water.
2: Not all species of birds can be renested. Please contact us through our Hotline for guidance before trying to renest. Check the baby for injuries, including blood, bruising, or bites.
3: Baby birds can be renested in a variety of containers, including small berry containers, margarine tubs, wicker baskets, or hanging flowerpots. If you are using a solid container, be sure to punch drainage holes in the bottom. Example photos below.
4: Choose a substitute nest that is similar to the original nest. The new nest should be large enough to contain the baby bird(s), but small enough so each bird fits snuggly as it grows.
5: Line the nest with material such as small twigs, dried grass, straw, or even the remnants of the original destroyed nest. Remember the nest will be exposed to rain and dew; choose nesting material that will dry quickly (no fabric).
6: Be sure the substitute nest container is securely fixed to the tree or bush where it is being placed. Remember, the parent birds will be perching on the edge of the new nest as they continue to care for their young. You want the new nest to be very secure!
7: The new nest needs to be as close as possible to the original nest location. It will need to be sheltered from sun, rain, and predators.
8: Leave the area and watch from inside to ensure the parents have found the new nest and are feeding the babies.
1. Rabbit nests consist of grass clippings, other natural materials, and mom’s warm underbelly fur. If the nest has been disturbed and the babies are uninjured, simply put back the materials.
2. If you find a nest of bunnies with no sight of mom, do not panic. Do not remove the babies, or offer food or water. Mother Cottontails do not stay around the nest during the day to avoid drawing predators to her babies. She is crepuscular, meaning she will be at her nest only at dawn and dusk to feed her little ones.
3. If you are concerned that something has happened to the mom and you would like to see if she is coming back, you can place thin twigs in a tic-tac-toe pattern across the nest or create a ring of flour. Check the nest after dawn or dusk to see if the twigs or flour have been disturbed by mom coming back to feed.
4. If you have a dog and are worried about him disturbing the nest further, you can create a simple barrier that will help. Remove the handle sections of a plastic laundry basket and place the basket upside down over the nest. Removing the handles creates 2 "doors" for mom to enter/leave. Place bricks or a cinder block on top of the basket to weigh it down. Example photo below.
5. When is rehab/medical intervention needed?
-If the babies or an adult rabbit have been in a dog or cat's mouth, they need antibiotics immediately (even if they do not seem injured).
-If the nest is flooded, the babies will need to come into care.
-If the babies look wrinkled/skinny, have ants/bugs on them, or are injured/bleeding, they need to come into care. Please take a photo of one baby's belly and contact us through the hotline.