Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Central Mississippi

07/03/2024

Please consider donations to a rescue instead of fireworks. Every year this tradition displaces and terrifies so many pets and wildlife.

05/06/2024

04/19/2024

Reuniting babies is always the best. Although sometimes, it isn't possible. They even reunite leopards in India! Watch this beautiful video by Wildlife SOS, India of a mother leopard retrieving her cub from a special reunite box. ❤️
https://wildlifesos.org

This mama leopard's reaction to seeing her lost baby again is so emotional — wait to see what she does when they're finally reunited ❤️To help Wildlife SOS s...

03/18/2024

UPDATE 3/17/24

These are the most powerful words and photo of mine in all my years Rehabbing. What you don’t see is the before story.
These two were critically emaciated and dehydrated. The f***s was dry, yes dry.. berry seeds. They didn’t have long left. But, even worse for these precious babies, were the hundreds of tiny ticks covering their bodies. With this many, it quickly turns into anemia. I can not imagine the agony and fear they felt.
So, this pic was taken after the 1st bath treatment and dried. They were terrified. And we began the slow journey to healing through hope and prayers. They were a successful release.
Rehabbing is not for the weak. It is more than just loving animals. We see things you could never imagine or unsee, as they say today. It is a calling, a passion, our way to give back to this world. It is blood, tears, exhaustion, and yes, that is p**p on our shirts. It is the losses that make you question yourself and keep you awake endless nights.
Take a look at that picture. It is the warrior spirit within every Rehabber that won’t allow us to give up. It is who we are. The very core of our being is to help God’s amazing creatures return to their world. We are here not to make them our own but to selflessly set them free.
Cindy Dawson
3/17/24

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Honestly, this is probably the most moving and powerful photo I've ever captured! And each year, I literally take hundreds of wildlife photos.

Two young orphaned raccoon siblings...terrified, not yet knowing they are now safe with a caring Rehabber, are doing the one thing we as humans totally understand in times of distress. They are holding each others hands and refusing to let go of one another.

I don't think I will ever be able to capture why Rehabbers have the passion to pour their life into what we do any more perfectly than this photo. No more words are needed.

Cindy Dawson 6/26/2019
Copyright CT Dawson Photography/WR&R

01/22/2024

WR&R has been in an amazing partnership with North State Animal Hospital, since it was founded by our former President, Mary Elizabeth Watkins in 1987. The bond between WR&R and NSAH is unprecedented.
It has been an honor for us to assist with all the rescues, by our permitted Rehabbers and return these rescues back to the wild for over 30 years.
2023 was the most challenging year in the books, both financially and placement with Rehabbers. We could never have done what we have without the dedication and assistance of North State and our Volunteers.
Therefore, it is also with a heavy heart for us to announce that WR&R will not have the finances to continue to serve our native wildlife as a group.
This page will remain open for messages through Messenger to assist this season until a resolution or a miracle happens to keep us from shutting down.
Thank you all for caring and contacting us throughout the years.
PLEASE BE AWARE: North State Animal Hospital will no longer accept any wildlife.

09/15/2023

Central MS Turtle needs your help!
The post below explains how to contact them or click their link to donate.
Thank you,
Cindy Dawson

09/07/2023

Beautiful photo! Raccoons are so beautiful and photogenic.
Photo Credit: Audrey Carpentier

Congratulations to honourable mention: Audrey Carpentier🦝

"A raccoon dips its paws in the waters of the St. Lawrence in Parc national du Bic, Que. The photographer waited patiently at the water’s edge to capture this portrait."

📷: audreyc_photo /IG

08/23/2023

We apologize for not being able to post rescue pics as often as we normally do. This season has brought about many overwhelming challenges.

07/14/2023

Well, I guess it's time to post what has to be posted each and every year. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE OR HANDLE FAWNS IN ANY WAY.
I wrote the original article to educate. In 2019 MDWFP prohibited the rehabilitation of fawns due to our 1st case of CWD. It is illegal to have possession of any wildlife, not even or especially a fawn.

Update 2019
If sharing this, please make sure you are sharing this update. Thank you!

Very Important! Please read and share Mississippians.
Although I wrote this many years ago, it still applies today. Or maybe I should say, most importantly today.

****There will NOT BE whitetail fawn rehabilitation anywhere in Mississippi this year, under any circumstance!!"****
All rehabilitation centers are not allowed to take custody of whitetail fawns, for any reason.

If you attempt to drop one off anyway, you will be turned away and referred to a number for the MDWFP hotline below.
Therefore, educate yourself by reading the article below. Most fawns are actually kidnapped, not orphaned. If you find a fawn, do not touch or move it, and contact your MDWFP for assistance.
Thank you,
Cindy Dawson
President
WR&R Wildlife Coordinator

MDWFP Number
1 800 BE SMART



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Let me see if I can write this as gently as possible.

Stop kidnapping fawns people!!!

Well, that wasn’t exactly gentle. But, there is no other way to make people listen. We know your intentions are well meaning. However, the best possible thing for that fawn is to be with its mother. So, let’s talk about what needs to be done, if you spot a fawn by itself. Most of the time, it is to leave it alone!
I will explain why.

A doe may have up to three fawns. These fawns are fully furred, eyes open, and standing very quickly. For the first few weeks however, they need time to grow and learn to follow her.
This is the most dangerous time for a fawn. But, mom knows exactly what to do until then.

Unlike adult deer, fawns do not have a scent yet. This is nature’s way of protecting them from predators for a while until they can follow mom. Mom though, does. And she will place her fawns, often in separate locations, which is why people seldom spot both, to elude possible predators. The only time she takes a chance to return to them, is to nurse, remove their urine and droppings, and quickly leave to graze. Unlike her babies, she does have a scent, which can lead a predator straight to them. And she knows that! Humans also have a scent. If you pick up a fawn, you are leaving behind your scent for predators to locate them.

So now that someone has kidnapped the precious fawn, that human need to nurture kicks in and the first thing people want to do is get it fed. Oh my how precious it is to bottle feed a little fawn right? Googling provides all kinds of great tips, which can quickly cause all your efforts to save a life, quickly turn lethal. Any deer rehabber can tell you some horrific struggles to reverse, if possible, the damage created by improper feeding. So, just don’t please.

What should you do then? The only time when human intervention is necessary is when you find one with serious injuries, can confirm for certain that mom is deceased, or you witness immediate danger from predator’s attack such as dogs, coyotes etc. If possible, contact your local rescue center for advice before touching the fawn. Keep dogs and people away from the area. Deer have very keen eyesight and sense of smell. She will not go near her fawns with human scent near. You may not see her, but she can see or smell you. She isn’t far away and will search and call for her fawns for days if kidnapped. Just so sad to picture that!

I hope this information helps in some way. I don’t know the exact statistics, but would guess that 9 out of 10 fawns dropped at rescue centers all over the country each year are actually kidnapped not orphaned. Let’s try to work together on reducing those numbers. A deer rehabber can often tell immediately if one is actually an orphan. We are licensed, trained, years of experience and know what to do. So please contact us for advice. We are here to help you.

Also.. added to this post 7/22. In Mississippi, and most other states, it is illegal to cage, attempt to care for or keep wildlife without a permit. Social media is monitored.
Only licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators are issued permits for the sole purpose of reintroduction to the wild. The fawn will be seized and you may face possible fines.

Thank you,

Cindy Dawson
President
Wildlife Coordinator

Please help us by liking and sharing this post.

03/12/2023

We are in desperate need of formula and feeding supplies. North State Animal and Bird Hospital has assisted WR&R's efforts for over 30 years, through funds from generous patrons.
Below is a link to an Amazon wish list for critical supplies to be shipped to NSAH for distribution to Rehabbers.
The purchase of any item will be greatly appreciated. Please help us continue to save our native MS orphaned or injured wildlife. We are all volunteers and do not receive funds or grants.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1GZLAL76A8AMP?ref_=wl_share

It's that time! Wildlife season is upon us and the babies are already flooding in. We try to keep our rehabbers stocked with needed supplies such as ni***es & milk but we rely solely on donations. Please give the clinic a call if you would like to donate to the wildlife fund. 601-982-8261. We thank you for the support.

03/06/2023

Mother cottontails only feed their babies twice a day, and are rarely seen by humans. But, even if a baby cottontail is definitely orphaned, it does not necessarily need help. Once a bunny is the size of a softball, it no longer needs its mother’s care and shouldn’t be captured or “rescued.” Cottontail rabbits are extremely sensitive and often die from the stress of being captured, so it is important to leave them alone whenever possible. If you’re concerned about the safety of a juvenile bunny, keep your pets properly contained, and wait a day or two to mow your lawn.

02/28/2023

New Program Trailblazers Starting Thursday!

02/27/2023

This baby season has officially begun. Here are a few of the rescues in WR&R's Rehabbers care. All intakes from the finders are coached on how to reunite with the moms as the 1st course of action, if possible. These below, for numerous reasons were not successful reunions.
Centers will fill up fast. Please have patience and trust your Rehabber's guidance toward reuniting/renesting.
(Rehabbers Vanessa and Kay)

02/26/2023

A rescue will always attempt reuniting with mom 1st. We have great success with squirrel moms. They will search for their babies for days. Even another mom will respond to distress calls, retrieve, and adopt a baby that isn't hers. So PLEASE don't kidnap them before the, more than likely, terrified mom comes looking. We try our best, but their survival rate tremendously increases with their own kind.

In addition, as with many wildlife species, they have several backup nests or den sites. If evicted for various reasons, they will attempt to relocate their babies.

02/22/2023

Feels like Christmas in February here at WR&R!
We are so grateful for the orders received from our wishlist over the past week. Thank you SD, Judy Johnson and Faith Sikes!! These items will help us so much. 🤗

02/20/2023

Although we do not rehabilitate birds, we do share information regarding birds.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will be here before you know it! Most ruby red-throated hummingbirds will be throughout Mississippi by the end of March.

They will remain here until November before returning to Central and South America. Ruby-throated hummingbirds generally only migrate throughout the eastern half of the U.S. Other species of hummingbirds may appear in our area, but the ruby-throated is the most common.

Tips for attracting hummingbirds:
🔸Prepare a homemade nectar for them to feed on. Mix four parts water and one-part sugar and boil for two minutes. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before filling the feeder. The mixture will spoil in the heat, so change the mixture every three to five days.

🔸Always clean the feeders well with hot soapy water and rinse before the first use and each time you refill them throughout the season to help reduce bacteria growth. You can store any leftover mixture in the refrigerator for easy use.

🔸Putting red food coloring into the homemade nectar to help attract hummingbirds to the feeder is not necessary and provides no benefits to the hummingbirds. Most feeders are red, and that helps attract the birds.

🔸Hummingbirds are pollinators and feed on a variety of plants commonly found in landscapes. Plants like begonia, petunia, nasturtium, and zinnia are great annuals to incorporate into your yard. Other perennials and shrubs hummingbirds are fond of include butterfly w**d, lantana, azaleas and salvia.

🔸They also need a water source. Consider purchasing a mister to attach to your water hose or a shallow birdbath with perching rocks.

FREE WEBINAR: Do you love hummingbirds and want to learn more about how to attract them to your yard? Extension's Dr. Bob Brzuszek and Dr. Adam Rohnke will lead an "All About Hummingbirds" webinar on Wednesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. No cost, but you do need to register: http://ow.ly/UFNs50MW2IO

02/20/2023

📅 SUMMER CAMP registration opens March 1 🎉 Your children will make new friends, encounter animals, and explore the outdoors. Space is limited. Learn more about each age-appropriate camp (ages Prek3 through Grade 12) at https://mdwfp.com/museum/learn-teach/camps/

02/17/2023

For some reason, I was not able to upload the videos of fox squirrels in their nest. Hopefully, this works. So rarely do we get a fully intact nest like this. Just incredible!

02/17/2023

These tiny gray squirrels came in on the 15th and 16th. They are around 1-2 weeks old. By this age they begin to lose the pink color and develop what we call their shadow. They are getting great care from Rehabber Dawn.

02/17/2023

Update on the 3 fox squirrels. All 3 are doing great!
These babies should open their eyes soon.
Rehabbers: Faith and Glenn

02/14/2023

This season is sure starting early! Two more intakes today. A wee bunny and squirrel. Both are with their Rehabbers, Jeremy and Eunice. Please check our wishlist of items needed to help these precious ones.

02/10/2023

Yes, always contact a rescue to coach you on how to attempt a reunite! Momma raccoons are great mothers, love their babies, very protective, and will search for them for days, grieving. That is always our 1st course of action. This was a great story and a successful reunite. 👏 It's just beautiful to watch them retrieve their babies.

She ran over as quickly as she could.

02/09/2023

Ok..Guess the Nest was fun. For those of you that said squirrel, you were correct.

This huge nest was constructed by the master crafter of squirrels...the fox squirrel. They are excellent nest builders and the reason we don't get as many intakes of these, compared to the Eastern grays.

A tree company carefully saved this nest and 3 babies. Attempts to reunite with mom were unsuccessful. These are much larger than grays and very beautiful colors. This is the 1st , undamaged, completely intact nest turned in to us...with 3 precious wee ones snuggled inside.

They are in good hands tonight with their Rehabber Tracy getting the dehydration under control first. Otherwise, they seem to be in good shape. This trio sure had a doozy of a day.

02/09/2023

Guess the Nest
Does anyone want to guess what built this complex masterpiece of a nest?
The hand for size comparison in 3rd picture.

02/07/2023

***2/9 Update in comments from his Rehabber Christine.

Our second rescue this year is this wee flying squirrel.
Attempts to reunite with mother failed last night. Since flying squirrels are nocturnal, reunites are attempted at dusk.
Other interesting facts: they actually glide not fly, are omnivores, and are much smaller than our grays or fox squirrels, commonly seen here in MS. So, if you want to see one of these in the wild, you might need a flashlight.

This cutie was kept safe, dry, and warm last night. We will post a better picture soon and hope for a good report. Pic below from finder.