Alpine Wildlife Rehab

16/11/2024

I've had similar issues with people taping squirrels "broken limbs" with insane materials and completely anatomically incorrect. One actually lost it's hand due to the person wrapping the arm so tight the hand wasn't getting bloodflow and the tissue died. Absolute insanity! Just because you saw it on tv once DOESN'T mean you're certified to do it!

15/11/2024

STOP USING STICKY TRAPS

It happens all to often sadly

11/11/2024

Most wildlife control companies in the United States use box traps to capture and relocate wildlife. They will tell you it is a humane solution, but one quick Google search will show you they are far from humane.

- Relocated animals rarely survive more than two weeks in unfamiliar territory.
- Relocated animals are unable to compete successfully for food and shelter with the existing population of wildlife in that area.
- Many of the trapped and relocated animals are lactating females whose orphans are left behind to starve.
- Trapping and relocating animals does not solve the problem. If animals are removed, other wildlife from that area will move in to take their place.

11/11/2024

09/11/2024

07/11/2024

NBC10 Boston contacted us today about Adam. He is the fox from Leominster that we are treating for secondary rodenticide poison and mange. He recorded Adam’s follow up bloodwork collection and we talked about his rescue by Salvatore Wildlife Rescue .

Can I just say something? I recognized reporter Oscar Margain from years ago when he first came to our rehab facility to talk about the effect rat poison was having on our wildlife. He is really doing a lot to help notify the public of what’s going on with this and he is genuinely passionate about it.

Oscar, I appreciate you—not just for your journalism, but for the compassionate, exceptional person you are. Thank you for letting people know what is happening to our local wildlife

Thank you for telling Adam’s story. He was one of three sick foxes seen in that area. He was the only one we were able to save, despite the efforts of many. His story deserves to be told.

Watch NBC10 Boston between 4-5 pm EST for the full story!

07/11/2024

The situation had weighed on me for days. This mother skunk was found in an illegal leg hold trap and had severe damage to her leg. Releasing her would have been a death sentence with injuries that bad. We could see she was producing milk and knew she had babies….somewhere.

For days animal control officers searched for her little ones with no luck.

We did have a orphaned baby skunk, that came from a completely different location. It occurred to us to introduce these two. The injured mother skunk quickly approached the baby, gently placed her mouth around it and pulled it close to her, then she placed her body in front of it to protect it from the humans watching.

She was a mother without her babies and he was a baby was without his mother.

The next day, by some miracle, all of her babies were found.

She raised the orphan and all her babies at the rescue, while her leg was healing. They were released together as one big, happy family. ❤️

This will forever be one of my favorite rescue stories.

06/11/2024

For Fox Sake has treated several wild animals with horrible injuries caused by leghold traps. In every case we have seen, the traps had been set by people who believed a common industry lie— that modern leghold traps are nothing like those of the past, and that they safely and humanely restrain animals without harm.

It’s true that steel-jawed traps with “teeth” are no longer sold. Today’s steel traps certainly look much more humane than their predecessors and are marketed with safe-sounding terms like “cushion” and “soft hold.” But behind the smoke and mirrors, all leghold traps still function by using immense pressure to restrain an animal by its limb, and the animal is very likely to get hurt in the process.

Please choose more humane alternatives. If you absolutely must trap an animal, use a cage trap.

04/11/2024

It's not romantic. It's not majestic.

It's cruel and THEY pay the price.

Please celebrate responsibly by leaving live animals out of the equation.

If you are celebrating a milestone and looking for a way to include your love for animals, ask family and friends to donate to your favorite animal nonprofit, host a fundraiser, volunteer as a group, or host a donation drive.

04/11/2024

From Cummington Wildlife 😭

02/11/2024

A very sad outcome. Please do not raise wildlife yourself.

This guy, although intentions were good, broke the law. You cannot raise wildlife without proper training and licensure. Now a healthy animal is dead. Actually 2 animals- he also had a raccoon that’s been put down as well. Please don’t let this keep happening

How to have prevented this? He could have immediately brought the abandoned baby to a licensed wildlife rehabber or animal hospital that treats wildlife. Or contact his local fish/wildlife organization for advice. Instead he kept it for 7 years and made tons of online videos with him, probably making lots of money in the process. All around unfortunate decisions.

I do, however, feel these punishments are EXTREMELY harsh and disproportionate to the crimes. If the animals are healthy and not being blatantly neglected or abused, death should not be the only answer. But until that changes, we all need to do our best in preventing it.

Why were these wild animals not given to a licensed rehabber to at least ATTEMPT rewilding? It’s a 50/50 chance, but we are trained to do it. Why wasn’t this even an option?
——

Peanut the Squirrel, also known as PNUT, was taken from his home in Pine City, New York on Wednesday morning.

31/10/2024

Never use glue traps or sticky fly paper 😣

The finder was crying when she called me. She said she made a horrible mistake. The finder described using a hanging glue strip in her house because flies were everywhere. She decided to place the strip outdoors to catch more flies before they came inside. To her dismay, she saw a small bird struggling on the glue strip.
When the finder called Cummington Wildlife, she had already removed the bird off the glue strip. Although she tried to be careful, feathers were left on the glue strip. Please note that Cummington Wildlife recommends that animals on glue strips be removed by professionals.
This Tufted Titmouse is covered with glue and has feather damage. However, the feisty bird was seen eating yummy bugs in the net cage and recovering from the stress of the glue trap. Today is the careful treatment to remove the glue on the feathers and access the damage.
The finder is committed to spreading the word to not use glue traps. Let's help her spread the word. Glue traps are inhumane and frequently catch more than the target animal. We can do better.

30/10/2024

Geez.

We've heard some horror stories this week about "humane" pest control companies. In addition, about 80% of our raccoon orphans this year came in AFTER a homeowner utilized "humane" pest control options.

Choosing a humane approach is essential for both your peace of mind and the wildlife. Before hiring a pest control company, take the time to research their methods. Look for companies that prioritize non-lethal techniques and environmentally friendly solutions, ensuring that "pests" are handled with care and compassion. A responsible pest control provider not only addresses your pest issues effectively but also respects the well-being of all creatures involved.

Humane isn't CREATING ORPHANS.
Humane isn't DUMPING THE ANIMAL in an unknown area.
Humane isn't DROWNING wildlife.
Humane isn't POISONING THE FOOD CHAIN.
Humane isn't STARVING TO DEATH ON A GLUE TRAP.
Humane isn't SNAP TRAPS OUTSIDE.
Humane isn't OVERDOSING ON SEDATIVES and scooping up dead bodies.
Humane isn't SITTING IN A TRAP for hours in Texas heat.

Humane is installing a one-way door, setting up cameras, and observing for wildlife to exit. Humane is sealing the entry point. Humane is rodent birth control not rodenticides.

We are working on a way to share the list of confirmed companies that have terrible, inhumane practices. We must tread lightly.

- Research Methods: Look for companies that use non-lethal trapping and exclusion techniques instead of harmful chemicals or extermination.

- Ask Questions: Inquire about their pest management practices. A reputable company should be transparent about their methods and provide details on how they handle "pests" humanely.

- Read Reviews: Check customer reviews and testimonials to see if others have noted the company’s commitment to humane practices.

28/10/2024

This will likely negatively affect our page. No one wants to see this or hear about it. We might get “unfollowed” by some, but that’s ok. Nobody wants to see things that make us sad - yet this is the reality. It’s happening every day whether you choose to see it or not. If you don’t take a stand, it will continue to happen…

The pictures below are all of animals that perished and ended up testing positive for rat poison. The mama great horned owl and her babies all bleed to death due to rat poison. Mom and dad has no idea the rodents they were delivering to their babies were filled with a poison that would kill them. It’s an awful way to die.

There is a meeting tomorrow with the Pest Control Board of Massachusetts. It’s at 10 am. They are going to allow me to speak about the effects of rat poison from a wildlife rehabber’s perspective. Right now, my understanding from meetings and emails is that their stance is they haven’t seen ENOUGH PROOF to believe it’s an issue…. 😳

Atleast four bald eagles have died from rat poison in Massachusetts since 2021 along with COUNTLESS other wildlife and even people’s pets.

PLEASE attend this meeting. I’m begging you. For them. Show the state that this matters to people. That we need to see change. I can’t do this alone. I need your help. They need your help.

Relevant information on how to attend in comments section. It’s a zoom meeting.

Owls in picture below treated by Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done to save them. All we can do now is advocate for them and prevent future deaths.

23/10/2024

Important message from our Fish & Wildlife Service. 🎃🎃🎃

It's that time of year again - when people yell at strangers on the internet about proper pumpkin care and wildlife health.

Things to consider this spooky season regarding your delicious orange porch snack, aka, your decorative pumpkin:

✨ Remember: Critters will likely eat (or at least nibble on!) your carved jack-o’-lanterns. Squirrels, raccoons, deer, moose, foxes, mice and insects might feast on the tasty treat you left out near your front door. “How nice of you!” they probably think as they eat their weight in slimy pumpkin goodness.
✨ Painted pumpkins can make for an easier way to create a fun or creepy jack-o'-lantern. However, a painted pumpkin can potentially be toxic to wildlife if they eat it. If you choose to paint your pumpkin, please keep it indoors and away from any critters who might feast on its painted flesh. You can also explore nontoxic paint options made with natural ingredients when possible.
✨ In recent years, social media users have posted various “tricks” to keep a carved pumpkin from rotting so quickly. Keep in mind that letting nature take its course is always an option. Carved pumpkins are eventually going to decompose one way or another. Always follow the directions of any product you’re applying to a pumpkin for your safety and others’ (including wildlife!).

Check out the comments to see more tips on how to keep pumpkins safe for wildlife.

Graphic by USFWS

18/10/2024

Within 3 days, these animals usually die from that ONE handling/petting interaction. Capture myopathy is very real, and very deadly. DON'T PET WILDLIFE!!!

Every year we get in orphaned rabbits that people think absolutely "love them" because it is "happily sitting in their hand and letting them pet them"
A rabbit's reaction to being terrified is to sit perfectly still in hope that the predator goes away. During this time, their adrenaline is surging through their body and many times if the adrenaline is going on for too long, Well...once the stimulation and fear goes away, their heart fails and they die. So please do not handle rabbits that are wild. They are hardwired to fear humans, as we are considered a predator. What you might think is acceptance of your affection is actually them being terrified often to the point of death. Usually, it is the rehabber that has to deal with the death part. Since it is in our care that they finally have enough time to relax and let the adrenaline subside.