From Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

Determining whether an animal needs to be rescued can be challenging. You've likely heard that it's best to leave baby animals alone, as they often do fine on their own. However, there are times when animals genuinely need assistance. In such cases, seeking guidance from a rehabilitation expert is the best course of action. Relying on information from Dr. Google or your neighbor might not provide the accurate help you need.

Most people have cell phones, making it easy to take photos to send them to wildlife rehabilitation facilities. This allows professionals to identify the animal and assess the situation effectively.

We recently received a call from our capture and transport volunteer about a baby great horned owl that had been on the ground for three days without any signs of siblings or parents. It was located in the middle of an apartment complex, far from trees or a potential nest. After reviewing the photos and answering specific questions, we decided to admit the owl.

In this case, bringing the owl to us was the right decision. The owl was wet, shivering, unkempt, and had dirt and tan bark clinging to its body. It was also severely dehydrated and very thin.

When observing an animal from a distance, you can take note of several critical factors to share with the rehabilitation center:

• Are there flies around the animal?
• Is there any visible blood?
• Is the animal struggling to stand or sit up correctly? Are its eyes closing slowly, which can indicate severe dehydration or a more serious issue?
• Does the animal's fur or feathers appear damaged, with burrs, mud, or missing feathers?

These life-saving observations can be made from a distance without approaching the animal. Always reach out to a rehabilitation center for guidance if you are unsure whether an animal needs help. In just 24 hours, we've seen remarkable improvements by administering fluids, warmth, and nutrients-such an encouraging change!

The Next Day: