A couple weeks ago I found an ababdoned baby racoon in my yard. So young its eyes hadn't even openned yet! I managed to keep it alive during the night and some people in the county who rescue wildlife came and got it. I haven't heard any other kitten cries and have no idea where the little guy came from but he sure was cute. Added a little excitement to our household. Has anyone rescued and kept a wild animal?

I've never kept anything wild. Normally I fed it until it was well enough to go on its own. I've kept several ducks and geese for several weeks just until I could drop them off at a nice pond with others of their kind.

I've known people who kept fawns and raised them until they were full grow deer. It always led to heartache though. Either the deer became jealous about whoever they viewed as their friend or it would get shot during hunting season.

I just can't see how people can justify keeping a wild animal. Helping it until it is ready on its own makes sense. Nature can be cruel and lending a hand only seems right, but trying to turn it into something its not meant to be is self-centered. My opinoin anyways. Thanks for helping the ducks and geese!

We raised up a baby groundhog to near adulthood and then set her free when she was old enough to live on her own. Then a few months ago, my son brings home 2 duck eggs that he rescued when he found other kids throwing the eggs out into the middle of the pond. I didn't think there would be much we could do for them but we kept them warm and, much to my amazement, 2 days later, they hatched (I am still heartbroken about the eggs that got thrown into the water...how horrible!).

We kept them for a couple of weeks but eventually got a sanctuary to take them in, that was going to try and introduce them to the wild and, if this was impossible (ducks imprint on the first thing they see), they would give them a safe forever home.

I had to smile when you said ground hog. I don't think I've heard of those being rescued before. I'm so glad that your son also respects life and saved the eggs that he could. You should be very proud!

That is so cool. My kids would love to see an egg hatch. We are planning on getting some chickens when we can afford to finish our fencing and build a barn. We bought 3 acres and a house about 8 months ago and it had no fence. I don't know if they will ever see one of our eggs hatch but I guess you never know. When I was a kid we had chickens and I never saw any hatch. Thanks for sharing.
We did save a baby raccoon when I was a kid. We nursed it and it grew then we let it go. We had a goat dislocate her leg once. My dad gave her some wine and put it back in. Crazy drunk goat. Her tongue was hanging out. It was funny. But she was just fine afterwards and lived a ripe old age.

Oh my, I've had so many odd pets I'm not sure I can count lol I was always hiding something in my room when I was a kid snakes, turtles, mice, hamsters, racoons you name it!
When I got older things never changed, everyone that finds a pore hurt or abandond animal always bring it to me. Once my nephews caught a baby hawk and brought it to me and the darned thing always wanted to set on my head lol I would set mouse traps out in the field to feed him and when he was old enough I would tie a string on it and pull it across the floor to get it to start hunting, seems silly but it worked, wasn't to laong and I set him free, hurt my feelings when he flew off and never looked back.
I have raised many baby racoons in my time, one I raised I named Tonaya and after I set her free she came back the next spring and had a litter of kits in a big tree in my front yard! That was pretty cool.
Cathy C

Hi all, thought I'd stop in and introduce myself. I am a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator here in northwestern, pa. I care for around 800 injured and orphaned wild animals every year and have a release rate of 75% at this time. It's hard work but worth it to watch them go free. Some things that people who don't rehab but try to care for wildlife is the fact that they must remain wild to have any chance at all. I don't talk too, pet, love on, etc... any of the wildlife here, I cover my face with a cammo netted mask and never talk when caring for them. I never associate food and humans so that they don't try to come back to humans for food. I care for everything from field mice/squirrels/cottontails on up to hawks/owls/eagles. They all get the same treatment as it's all a great circle that needs to be kept going. My biggest problems are outside cats...90% of all the small animals and songbirds this year have come in via being caught by cats. Cats of course are a non native predator and they carry pasteurella on their claws and in their mouth. Our wildlife has not been able to produce the antibodies to fend off this bacteria and normally die within 48 hours after being bitten or even a tiny scratch unless put on antibiotics. I know most horse people have barn cats which is actually very sad...as they take away the prey that the hawks, owls, fox's, etc... rely on to survive.

So, if anyone needs help finding a wildlife rehabber in their state let me know, I'll try to help. Most states have laws pertaining to caring for wildlife...in PA here, it's illegal to care for any wildlife without a license and the fines are steep and of course they destroy the animal.

Take care!

Maryjane

Maryjane Angelo
Skye's Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Index

I once found a baby possum in the woods, and was going to take care off him until he was older, but he ended up dying anyway.

I have to say that I have saved numberous american fence lizards! I am a very proud man of this.

I wonder if there is a save the american fence lizard. (bluebellies) Yes I know I am an amazing man.



Spud-a-saver