Wayward Wild Ones

07/20/2024

Elaine I can't message you back for some reason. Please text me 774-276-8838 so I can send info

07/19/2024

I don’t know how many calls I have received about a dog uncovering a baby bunny nest. The dog owners are usually very upset with their pups about the harm they caused. Frequently, their dogs have no idea of the damage they did…

I was shocked today when my dog, Ruby, brought me a bunny. It’s never happened to me before. I have been searching with my children and we still can’t find the nest she took it from. She is so proud. She doesn’t realize what she did.

If ever your dog disturbs a bunny nest and you are able to locate it, you can always stake a laundry basket over it while your dogs are outside. Then you can remove the laundry basket, so mom can access her babies.

If you can’t find the nest, work on your forgiveness techniques. I am doing my best with Ruby. They know not what they do…

Also, give us a call. You’re gonna need us. That’s what we’re here for.

07/19/2024

Breakfast for 4 baby racc**ns.
They eat better than the kids!

Wayward Wild ones needs a bit of a boost in the grocery fund. 🍗🧀🍎🍌🥑🫐🍇🥒🥜🌰
Looking to help? Grocery gift cards are very appreciated! We also have Venmo (in comments).

07/19/2024

Most rehabbers say Opossums under 20g are not saveable and opt for humane euthanasia.
I have never attempted smaller than 35g. Those 4 are happy now at over 250g and in my pre-release❤️

Tonight I just admitted 2. They are 25g and 22g!!!!! So Scary tiny!
I am so proud to say I just successfully tube fed 1ml each of electrolyte fluids. Holy cow! These guys are teenie. They will be transferred soon but I'm honored to start them on their rehab journey.
Thank you Magaliz for stopping and saving them And thank you rescue driver Marie for driving them to me tonight. It takes a village ❤️🐾

07/14/2024

07/12/2024

Some fun candids...This is not a very glorious job....Vaccines in Pj's while on a ladder and escape repair while being pawed at 😂. Many funny moments, scary moments and hard moments happen and I wouldn't have it any other way!!
❤️helping these babies is worth it❤️they did not ask to be orphans and in every case humans not Mother Nature was the cause 💔
Thank you for all that help me help them! Especially my new volunteers 😁
🔥🔥Disclaimer these babies have been quarantined and with me since 4 weeks old, I'm vaccinated! They are dewormed. And don't worry they'll be VERY Wild and ready come fall!

07/01/2024

Breakfast for 7 Racc**ns and 5 Opossums yum yum!!
We are low on toppers for their chow so the chickens lent me some eggs. I scrambled them up with some vitamins added. 🥰 Off to the grocery store later!

06/30/2024

I'm not feeling very appreciated this morning with these opossum babies peeking out like "what do YOU want"! Too cute! 🥰

06/28/2024

We are getting A LOT of calls about foxes with mange. The rest of our enclosures are full, at this time, but we DO HAVE ROOM for foxes that need to be treated for mange. Not only do we have room, but we want to receive as many as we can possible. Our team is studying them and is working on improving methods to save them. Below is a before and after of two we recently released. ❤️

Many foxes suffering from severe mange are also dealing with rat poison, which is an issue we are dedicated to fighting against and documenting.

If you are in Massachusetts - Newhouse wants your mangey foxes. That being said - getting them will be difficult - to say the least.

Legally, we can not trap them. They have to be caught. Foxes are VERY HARD to catch unless they are on death’s door. We have had the best luck with foxes that go in places they can’t easily escape from like: under sheds, inside garages, under decks, etc. Once contained in one of these areas, we can come out and contain the fox.

We will NOT come out and chase the fox all over the neighborhood. Not only will it not work, but we will cause a very sick animal to expend what little energy they have. It’s not good for the fox at all. We want to come out when we have the best chance of catching them.

I will attach a video in the comments below. It explains everything in detail. We want to help. Please spread the word. This issue is one very close to our hearts. These animals suffer for months with this condition. It’s our goal to treat and prevent and much suffering as possible.

06/28/2024

Looking for some milk crates for the c**n babies if anyone has some around. Like in picture.

06/27/2024

Some cool watermelon on a warm summer day for our new intake. This guy is not happy. Struggling to get food in. If he doesn't eat today he is going to have to be syringe fed and get some fluids. He doesn't understand why he's here and that just breaks my 💔

06/25/2024

Dinnah! And this weeks request !
The Racc**ns, Opossums and Skunks would love some tasty mice. It's a natural diet item and a lesson they must learn before being released. Thank you for all who help. We appreciate it 🦝🦨🐀🐾https://www.rodentpro.com/categories/supplies/gift-certificates

06/18/2024

He was found in Chelmsford exactly one week ago. We received multiple calls about him. He was unable to use any of his legs. He was also very thin and dehydrated. We believed he had fallen from the tree. Maybe he was too weak after going a few days without seeing mom. Maybe the fall had caused swelling that made it hard to walk. Either way, we hoped the loss of control of his limbs was temporary.

I am happy to report that he now has full use of his legs and is walking all over the place today! He is feeling so much better. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who called concerned about him.

06/17/2024

Good morning ☀️ we are in need of laundry detergent, paper towels, and puppy chow for our sweet babies in care 🦝🐾❤️
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TMVYEMX4WWCK?ref_=wl_share

06/14/2024

Fun with racc**n mischief

06/14/2024

Good night. 💤

06/13/2024

Morning Milk! (Racc**n Formula - NEVER feed a wild animal cows milk) this is a big step. No more bottles - thank god!!

06/08/2024

One of the reasons I do this is to try to give back to the wild world a little bit of what humans have taken from them 💔

I’ve had to defend myself several times over the past few weeks with people saying I should let nature takes its course. I have heard many times that we really shouldn’t get involved. I understand not wanting to interfere with Mother Nature. If a coyote tries to eat a rabbit, you won’t see me get involved.

Thing is - most of the animals wildlife rehabbers receive aren’t dealing with issues Mother Nature presented them with. They are dealing with human related issues.

Take this red tailed hawk brought to us by Dracut Animal Control this Sunday for triage. A police officer witnessed him get hit by a car.

We stabilized and sent him to Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc, where he is currently receiving incredible care. Blood tests showed his blood is not clotting well at all so, like most red tailed hawks around here, he’s had exposure to rodenticide poisoning.

An x-ray also revealed a pellet in his wing. It looks to be an old injury.

Let me clarify this story:

We humans poisoned this bird, shot him and then ran him over….

That’s not Mother Nature.

That’s why wildlife rehabbers exist. We have to do something to help them when we make their lives so much harder.

This innocent hawk can’t tell his story, but we will make sure it’s told.

06/07/2024

4 of the 6 Opies have graduated to the climbing cage. Fun 🤩

06/07/2024

I said I was full.... they couldn't find placement. She was ice cold and crying. So here she is at 1 week old she's smaller than the palm of my hand. Somehow we will make the time and find the resources. Please hug a rehabber they're drowning right now 😩

06/01/2024

Kristin West

INTERESTING FACTS you never knew about bobcats:

They have markings on their ears made to look like they have eyes on the back of their heads to intimidate predators (bottom right of photo)

Bobcats are a species of Lynx

They weigh between 15-40 pounds with males being 33% larger than females.

The largest bobcat on record weighed 50 lbs

They feed mainly on rabbits and rodents

Adults don’t really have predators around here but Bobcat kittens are at risk of falling prey to owls, foxes, eagles, bears, and occasionally other bobcats.

A bobcat’s territory ranges 30 square miles for males and about 5 square miles for females. They are generally respectful of each other’s territory.

They use different methods for marking their territory. Sometimes it’s claw marks. Sometimes they use urine for scent markings.

They are considered endangered in Ohio, Indiana, and New Jersey.

Bobcats can thrive in most areas despite human development and habitat loss - though they are frequently hunted for their coats.

Bobcats play an important ecological role. They hunt small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, helping to keep population numbers in check.

They are absolutely gorgeous….

“If not my friend, than why friend shaped?”
Trust this Rehabber when I tell you…they are not your friend lol. Even the kittens can be quite vicious. If you see one, enjoy the view from far away. 🤣❤️

06/01/2024

From no racc**ns to double capacity. It's bad right now. But if we turn them away their fate is sealed. Unfortunately, without donations I can't afford to say yes.
Any help is appreciated. The Formula and grocery bill is about to double. These guys go through so much formula, meat and produce. Thanks for following. Ricky, Rocky & Monty, and Billy say thanks!
-Wildones-1

05/31/2024

05/31/2024

Meet Rocky and Ricky.
These two 5 week olds each has a different story that I will share separately. Racc**ns are so highly intelligent it often feels like I'm raising human babies. Please be kind to their mothers. Rocky and Ricky are missing their moms very much ❤️

05/31/2024

Update: thank you to all who reached out. I have enough volunteers at the moment. I'll definitely post again if the need arises

Can you see yourself, bottlefeeding orphan babies? If so, I am looking for an official volunteer. I am thinking like two days a week the workload will vary so I would say one to two hours depending on what's going on. After training, I would also ask for coverage when I am away for some short trips this summer. If anyone is interested in becoming a Wildife rehab, this is the way to do it! Please reach out via private message.
Edit to add must be 18+ and the need for volunteer will end probably in November and wildlife season does not pick up again until late March

05/31/2024

One of our smallest friends we've helped recently. A wood duck. They are super tiny and extra fragile. If you find one alone it needs help. As with all babies keep it warm dark and quiet, with these guys it's especially important to minimize all stress, until you reach a rehabber 🐣. This little one made it safely to Sue and Dave Cowan at Cowan's Critters in Carver MA who specialize in these little guys.

05/28/2024

2 of my favorite purchases. The outdoor pre- release babies and newly released squirrels really appreciate a nutritious snack while learning alll the life lessons of how to be wild 🥰check out my wishlist. Formula and food are what we need most right now! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TMVYEMX4WWCK?ref_=wl_share

05/25/2024

My first skunks! Shhhh don't tell Derek ❤️😁

05/24/2024

Did you know that groundhogs are an intricate part of our ecosystem? The digging of their burrows helps to their loosen and aerate the soil. It also helps to turn the ground, by bringing deep seated and rich soil up to the surface. Their f***s inside their burrows actually helps to fertilize the soil deep underground.

They are also an intricate part of the food chain and are hunted by several predator species.

Many other small mammals, amphibians and reptiles rely on abandoned groundhog dens, for shelter.

In spring and early summer, mother groundhogs are raising their families. The removal of a female groundhog from your property can mean certain doom for her little ones.

Despite what some may say, a groundhog’s burrow rarely causes any issues with the foundation of someone’s home. They simply aren’t large enough.

If you must evict a groundhog from your property, we suggest placing dirty kitty litter or ammonia sprinkled rags down the burrow. Groundhogs react to a strong urine odor as a potential predator and this will often encourage them to leave.

Please wait until late summer or early fall to do this so that babies are old enough to be in their own.

To keep groundhogs out of your garden we suggest a 3-4 foot mesh fence that is wobbly. It must be wobbly! They are good climbers, but the movement will make discourage them from trying.

We also suggest putting that fence about 6 inches under the ground and have it in an “L” shape facing away from the garden. This way, when they try to dig under the fence, they will hit a wall of resistance.

They are fascinating creatures and don’t mean you any harm. They are trying to get by, just like me and you.

Let us all practice tolerance. Let’s live and let live…

01/07/2024

Left a box of snacks out for the locals 🦝🦨🐿️🦃🐾🐾🐾. Let's see how long it takes them to find it 😃