Young altricial birds require frequent care and feeding from sun-up to sun-down (14 hours a day) for the first several weeks of their life.  Young mammals require extensive care and feeding, often throughout the night.  Our limited hours of operation preclude us from taking on these responsibilities.

The State of Connecticut does not allow rehabilitation of dangerous animals such as bear or bobcat, or adult deer or RVS species.  Earthplace does not maintain the permits to rehabilitate deer, or RVS (Rabies Vector Species) such as raccoons, foxes and skunks.

Some animals have very specific care requirements that we simply cannot accommodate.  Sometimes, we are simply filled to capacity or short staffed.  The Earthplace animal care staff is always responsible for caring for over thirty resident Species Ambassadors.  Taking on more new patients than can be reasonably managed by available personnel could negatively impact the level of care provided to our permanent charges.

If we are unable to accept an animal that you have found, we will provide names and numbers of other rehabilitators who may be of assistance to you.

I found a baby squirrel.  Should I feed it milk?

Individuals may not legally possess wild animals; even for a short time.  The best thing that you can do for an orphaned squirrel is to get it to a trained and state and/or federally licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible.  A Good Samaritan clause allows you to transport certain species of injured or orphaned wild animals for short distances in order to seek help for them.  This should only be done by an adult taking appropriate safety measures, i.e. wearing gloves.

Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal agencies for the safety of the public as well as that of the animals.  Steep fines are possible for violating these regulations.  While everyone is aware that wild mammals can spread various diseases to humans, most people don’t realize that inappropriate help from humans can harm, or even kill, wild animals.

All animals have specific nutritional needs and each species of mammal produces a unique composition of milk for its offspring.  Cow’s milk, evaporated milk, soy milk and even puppy or kitten replacer milks do not closely compare to the milk of most wild species.  Veterinarians and nutritionists have worked out formulas to try to closely replicate the ratio of fat, carbohydrates, protein and calories that would be found in nature for the species in question.  Rehabilitators must also consider the animal’s temperature, hydration level, weight, maximum stomach capacity, as well as length of time since the last natural feeding and bladder and bowel movements.  If all of these and other factors are not considered, and the animal is fed inappropriately, it may become sick and die, or, may simply fail to thrive and be un-releasable.  If a permanent suitable and state or federally approved educational facility is not located within the given time-frame, this in itself, may prove to be a death sentence for the compromised animal.

A bird hit my window, what should I do?

Birds often crash into windows; they simply don’t see or recognize glass.  If you see that the bird is bleeding, or exhibiting a pronounced wing droop after a crash, it may need immediate attention.  Call Earthplace at 227-7253 or the Department of Environmental Protection at (860) 424-3011 for the name of a licensed rehabilitator.  The rehabilitator will ask a series of questions to help determine the age and species of bird and the extent of the injury. 

More often the bird is just stunned and will usually recover without aid in a short period of time.  Keep in mind that during the recovery period, the bird is especially vulnerable to predators, children, and pets, and may need some additional protection.  If the bird does not appear to be injured, have an adult can carefully scoop it into a small shoe box or other appropriately sized container and place the container in a secure location out of the elements and away from loud noises and other dangers.  Allow the bird  to regain its composure, then open the container outdoors.  If after 45-90 minutes the bird is able to fly away, you have done your good deed for the day.  If the bird is still unable to fly, call Earthplace or the DEP and make arrangements to get it to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible in order to increase the bird’s chances of recovery.

I found a nest of baby bunnies , but there was no mother in sight.  What should I do?

Nothing.  It would be more unusual to see the mother in the nest with her young.  Mother cottontails spend most of the day away from the nest.  They return for brief visits between dusk and dawn to nurse their offspring.  During the day, the young huddle together for warmth and are safe from predators because they have no scent.  The mothers stay away from the nest during daylight to avoid drawing attention to her young.  You can help by doing the same.   If you are concerned that something is amiss, call Earthplace for advice BEFORE disturbing the nest. 

I saw a pigeon with a band on its leg.  Is it someone’s pet?

Pigeons, also known as Rock Doves, are kept by people for a variety of reasons, including racing.  Pigeon racing is possible because of the birds’ strong instinct to return home and their ability to navigate long distances and over foreign terrain.  In pigeon racing, a special colored band is placed on the leg of the bird and it is taken a pre-measured distance away from its home coop and released.  When they return home, the band is “clocked” and the pigeon’s speed (which averages 30MPH, but can be as fast as 60 MPH) is calculated. 

Sometimes the birds encounter obstacles or bad weather and are unable to find their way home on their own.  Sometimes they join an existing flock of feral pigeons and survive in the wild.  Other times they are not as fortunate.  If you find a lost bird, you can try to find their original home, if it has a second, metal band.  This band contains numbers and letters that can be used to trace the bird’s owner through a number of pigeon related websites such as npausa.com.

Pigeons are also kept as pets by collectors and fanciers.  Many are bred for special traits such as color, unusual feathering or size.  Kong, a White King Pigeon, is one such bird who recently joined the Earthplace live animal collection.  King Pigeons were bred for their enormous size.  Kong was brought to Earthplace suffering from a permanent wing injury.  It was clear that he was not a wild bird, but he did not have a traceable band.  He has endeared himself to a number of his caretakers (zero is a number) so he will remain as an animal ambassador. 

A robin (or cardinal) is attacking my window. Is this unusual?

When we get this call at Earthplace, it is usually prefaced by: “The strangest thing is happening…”. In fact, it is not unusual at all. Male robins and cardinals establish and defend prime territory to attract quality mates. Instead of glass, mirrors or chrome, they see “an intruder” occupying “their” hard-earned real estate and they are willing to defend their home fiercely. A safe and easy way to remove the unwelcome “intruder” is to apply a thin layer of dish washing liquid to the outside of the glass or chrome. In a couple of weeks when the last pieces of real estate have been divvied up, you can simply rinse the soapy residue away with the garden hose. Just a note: occasionally, additional surfaces will need treatment as the bird “chases” the reflection to another door or window surface.

I found a baby bird, what should I do?

If the bird appears to be fully feathered and un-injured, it is most likely a fledgling – at most, just a few days away from independence. The best assistance you can provide to a fledgling is to remove all threats (i.e. pets and humans, especially small children) from the area until the parent can resume life’s lessons.

If the bird is not completely feathered, it may have left the nest prematurely. Getting the bird back into the nest or into a substitute nest as quickly as possible will provide this bird with the best chance of survival. ONLY if this is not possible or if the bird is injured will it need the assistance of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Because baby birds require extensive care outside of operational hours, Earthplace cannot accept them for rehabilitation but we will make every effort to help you locate a rehabilitator who might be able to assist you.