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What happens when I bring an animal to the Center?
The animal is typically taken immediately from the reception area to an examination room. Meanwhile, you will be asked to remain in the lobby to complete paperwork about the animal (where and when it was found, any prior care received, etc.). Sharing details of the animal's condition and how you found it will greatly assist us in our assessment and care of the animal.
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What happens next?
Unless there are severe injuries requiring immediate treatment, we will allow an animal to de-stress for a period of time prior to conducting a full examination. This increases its chance of survival. To reduce stress, human contact must be kept to a minimum.
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First, the Initial Analysis - a Physical Exam
Many conditions are not immediately recognizable, so a complete exam is conducted. We look for:
- signs of shock
- dehydration
- emaciation
- fractures
- infections
- evidence of parasites
- wounds
- neurological damage
- bone disease (occurs in wild animals fed an improper diet)
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Next, Immediate Treatment
This can include:
- fluids (for dehydration)
- tube feeding (for emaciation)
- stopping bleeding
- suturing (stitches)
- stabilization of a fracture
- medications (antibiotics for infections, steroids for inflammation)
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Follow-up care: The results of the initial analysis determine the following protocol
Immediate release
Although unusual, some animals can be released within twenty-four hours after observation and/or minor treatment.
Short-term care
Animals needing this care may have minor injuries or infections or need medications and are housed at either the Wildlife Center or home care volunteer sites for several weeks prior to release.
Long-term care
Easily-stressed species needing greater isolation or animals needing care extending beyond our daily operating hours are placed with home-care volunteers. All other animals are cared for at the Center.
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Can I watch this process?
The Wildlife Center operates under state and federal permits and must adhere to strict requirements pertaining to interaction between members of the public and the wildlife in our care. For these reasons, we do not allow members of the public into the examination and treatment areas. In addition, it is best to limit human contact with wildlife so that the animals remain "wild" when released.
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Who requires long-term care?
Orphans. Many babies are brought in who have been separated from their parents. These young animals must go through their growth cycle until they are old enough to care for themselves.
Serious injuries or infections. Some compound fractures or complicated systemic infections require a lengthy healing process.
Severe emaciation. Often, animals brought in to the Center have been unable to obtain food for themselves due to injuries. They may need attention not only for immediate injuries, but also long-term care to allow themselves to be re-nourished.
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What steps are taken to release an animal?
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Prior to release, each animal is assessed to ensure its ability to survive in the wild. The animal must be in good physical condition and possess skills necessary for survival. For example, squirrels must be able to crack nuts and build nests.
All animals are released in their appropriate habitat, which meets the conditions required for that species. In accordance with Fish and Game laws, mammals must be released within three miles of where they were found.
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The SATs (Squirrel Aptitude Test) - Can you crack walnuts yet?
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What happens to animals that can't be released?
Unfortunately, we are not able to save every animal that comes to us. Some animals are so badly injured that their eventual recovery and release into the wild is not possible. These animals are humanely euthanized. If this is the fate of the animal you brought in, your efforts were not in vain. Your care has allowed an animal to have a quick and painless end, rather than prolonged suffering.
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How can I find out what happened to the animal I brought in?
At the bottom of the paperwork we provide when you drop off an animal, you will find an identification number. If you would like to check on the animal, please call in a about a week so that we can assess its condition and chances for successful rehabilitation. If you brought in an adult animal and would like to participate in its release back to the wild, let us know and we will attempt to accommodate you whenever possible.
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Why can't I do this at home?
It is illegal. With few exceptions, it is illegal for the public to care for wild animals or to keep them as pets. This is for the animal's well being as well as your own. The Wildlife Center is licensed to care for wildlife through the California Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.
Specialized diet. Each animal has specific dietary needs. Diets vary not only by species, but also by the age and the physical condition of the animal. Animals in our care are constantly re-assessed as they age and/or heal to ensure their diets are appropriate.
Imprinting & Socialization. Young animals need to be raised with their own kind for socialization purposes. Even animals that spend their adult lives as solitary animals must be raised in a group in order to learn life skills and how to interact and identify members of their own species.
Peace and quiet. Many animals, particularly as they become older, become highly stressed around humans, whom they view as predators. It is imperative that they be kept in quiet areas.
Maintaining wild instincts. Human-animal interaction must be restricted to the minimum necessary to care for the animal. If animals lose their natural caution around humans and become tame, they may lose their ability to survive in the wild where they belong.
Education. Animals raised as orphans must be taught certain life-skills before they are ready for release, such as how to obtain appropriate food. This requires a knowledgeable caregiver who is able to provide an enriched environment for this learning.
Zoonotic diseases . Some wild animals can be host to organisms causing diseases such as aspergillosis, lyme disease, salmonellosis and hantavirus.
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