Save Wildlife

Kitnapped!  by Carolyn Festa

Cottontail moms build their nests in the darndest places. Shallow depressions in the middle of the yard, busy playgrounds and even dog parks are some favorite nesting sites. Because of this, nestlings (called kits) have a good chance of being discovered and inadvertently “kitnapped” by well-meaning humans. Unintentional kitnapping is perpetuated because bunny moms (called does) take an extremely “paws off” approach to rearing and only visit their brood for a few minutes two or three times a day. Fearful, cautious and not wanting to attract attention, mom usually feeds at night or when visibility is low. Naturally, fretful nest watchers assume abandonment and can’t resist the urge to rescue. But mom is often near, internally screaming as she helplessly watches a two-legged giant take off with her babies. So, remember, if you stumble upon a rabbit nest this spring, don’t automatically assume the bunnies need your help. When in doubt, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.

Phoebe’s new babies

Sweet Phoebe

In an unusual spin on bunny “kitnapping,” ARC hotline got an interesting call we just had to share.  Phoebe’s owner noticed that she was not allowing her Chinese Crested “best bud” to sleep in their shared dog bed. Phoebe, a Pitbull, and the Crested, have always been snuggle buddies, but not on this day.

Upon investigation, Phoebe’s owner found two tiny, days old cottontails carefully tucked under the padding of the dog bed. Apparently, Phoebe, a mom herself a couple of years earlier, made two separate trips through the doggy door with the precious cargo. As soon as the owner realized what Phoebe had done, she contacted an ARC rehabilitator. The baby cottontails had some minor bruising, but had no other injuries. They were rehabilitated and successfully released back into the wild where they belong!

“Like Rats as Big as Cats”  by Carolyn Festa

Many times wildlife rehabilitation is as much about helping people as it is about rescuing animals.

“You found what? Where did you say you found them?” The incredulous wildlife rehabilitator was trying to understand a hysterical elderly woman who was on the phone.  The upset caller said, “Something moved when I was reaching for the rolling pin in my bottom drawer. There’s a whole wad of them. Possums…they’re like rats as big as cats! ”

*Photoshop Reenactment*

The rehabber was interrupted as she was explaining that the role of a wildlife rehabilitator is to help injured and orphaned…..”Well, I know this is not your usual job, but you are the third person I have called. I am 86 years old, homebound with my 96 year old husband who is dying with the cancer. I am flat broke and nobody will help me get these critters out of my cake drawer.” There are times when it is absolutely right to do something that’s not officially your job, so the rehabilitator donned gloves and headed out.

They were there, in the kitchen, exactly as the women described. Five juvenile opossums snuggled down in the bottom drawer right next to the rolling pin.  They really did look a little like rats as big as cats. The rehabilitator quickly captured the surprised stowaways, pointed out the likely access point beneath the kitchen sink and offered to help close it up. On the way out of the home, an elderly gentleman in a recliner woke up and said “How much do I owe you?” The wildlife rehabilitator said, “Nothing sir, I am a volunteer. I am happy to help you and these animals!”  He said, “Well then, thank you. This is the best thing I’ve ever gotten for free! May God bless you.”

The opossums were examined, certified awesome and released into the wild. It was a great day for all!

As 2019 comes to a close, we’d like to take a moment to share our 2019 accomplishments with you, our ARC family!  With the help and dedication of our all-volunteer team, ARC had over 1,065 wild critters come into care this year.

• • • • Cottontails 342
      • Squirrels 325
      • Opossums 337
      • Raccoons 61 (SC)

It was an extremely challenging year thanks to early warm weather that resulted in many species having more than normal litters!  Changes in our environment continued to negatively impact our wildlife.  Clear cut logging that removes hundreds of acres of woodland homes, as well as continued urbanization and development have kept our phone lines busy all year long.

While our successes and happy endings are wonderful to share we know there is much left to do.  Due to limited volunteers and resources, we can’t always help every animal from the 2,000 plus calls we receive each year but know that each of us strive every day to do more, be better, and go the extra mile to help every creature we possibly can.

We look forward to doing even more in 2020!  Thanks to changes in NC regulations concerning rabies vector species, we will now be able to help raccoons, skunks, foxes and more!

We could not do this without your donations and support.  Please continue to follow our progress as we continue our mission to support wildlife.  We plan to share more stories, pictures and education than ever before!  Thanks for journeying with us through the next exciting 12 months!

Happy and Healthy New Year to each of you and to all our wild patients!

Roseann Michalowski, 2019-2020 ARC President