are
just ordinary people trying to help. At this time there
is no centralized number to call to reach us. You will
have to go through the following names and numbers to
find a rehabilitator who can help you. We all try to return
all calls as soon as possible. We recommend that you leave
a message and a telephone number where we can reach you.
You may call a rehabber who does not handle the specific
wildlife emergency that you have, as they may be able
to help you. If your emergency is resolved it is always
helpful if you call back and let us know.
It
is against the law to try to rehabilitate wildlife in
New York State without a license. It is a Federal offense
to try to rehabilitate a bird. Rehabilitators work very
hard at training to handle these emergencies. Please let
us help you!
A List of Wildlife Rehabilitators in the Mid-Hudson
Valley of NY
Rehabilitators associated with Ravensbeard
are indicated with an *
birds, small & large mammals ie. deer and soon to be bears.
Tannersville, NY
518.989.6534 -h
518.965.1864 -c
Greene
Debby
Noble @
The Barnyard
Small Mammals
Kingston,
NY
845-339-2287
Ulster
Patricia Tartter
small mammals
New Paltz
845.883.5190
Ulster
Kathy Foley
birds
Port Ewen
845.331.3906
Ulster
In
the mean time…
If you have
the animal in your care already:
Please put
the animal/bird into a cardboard box. You may put an old t-shirt
or towel in the bottom. Be sure that there are no ravels or threads
on it to tangle in the animal's feet.
Keep the
animal warm and quiet. Put the box with the animal in a safe place
where pets and people will not disturb it.
Do not give water or food. Please talk to a rehabilitator FIRST.
Please DO: CONTACT A REHABILITATOR. Every year several
animals die because of inexperienced care. If you want to learn
about caring for wildlife, we will be happy to teach and mentor
you, but for the emergency it is best to contact a professional.
There is much information on the web that is incomplete or incorrect.
Much heartache can be spared by your determination to contact
a rehabber.
Wildlife babies are often left alone by their mothers. This
is especially true of deer and rabbits. Do not disturb any wildlife
baby unless it is in imminent & true danger.
If
it is a bird out in the wild:
Is this an emergency?
Is the bird injured?
Is it a young fledgling bird:
Feathered but not flying well
Leave it alone, protect from
predators,
bring cats & dogs inside.
The nest fell out of a tree, was cut down with tree, nest was
in tree cavity, etc:
Put nest
and babies back in tree.
Put nest
into container that is water-proof, with drainage into outdoor
location near original nest site. The nest must be in shaded
spot and out of the reach of rainstorms.
Make nest
to put in container. Do NOT use grasses, which tend to
be cold & wet. Use dry conifer needles, crushed paper towel,
shredded paper. Be careful that the material is not of the sort
that could get tangled around a bird's legs.
If birds
have a nest in the cavity of a tree to be cut down: cut
that section of tree separately.
You can then attach it to another
nearby tree with ropes and nails, etc. If this is done
right away the parents will find their young. You, of course,
have to stay away!!!
If it is a large bird,
hawk, owl, heron, goose, swan, etc
If the bird is injured and you want to catch it, you will need
a large towel or blanket, a net (opt) and a friend with another
towel. You drop or wrap the towel around the bird's wings with
your arms so that you have control of the bird's wings.
If it is a heron or crane you MUST GAIN CONTROL OF THE BEAK
IMMEDIATELY!
If it is an owl or hawk: you MUST GAIN CONTROL OF THE TALONS
IMMEDIATELY!
A towel over the eyes of a bird will
quiet it down. Immediately put bird into appropriately sized
box or dog carrier, cover with towel.Keep injured birds in a
warm, quiet place until placed with rehabber.
*Do NOT give food or water.
Never give water to a bird.
If it is
a mammal or reptile that is injured and
needs treatment:
Catch the
animal if it is safe. Call a rehabber for advice.
Keep the
animal in a warm, dry box or cat/dog carrier until you reach
a rehabber.
Do not
give food or water without instructions.
This is very important.
If it is a baby animal: SEE SECTION ON WILDLIFE
BABIES FOR INFORMATION
Yes,
you may touch a bird baby if it has fallen out of
the nest. You can put it back into the nest, or if
that
is impossible, or if the entire
nest has come
down, put the baby bird or nest into a basket
or box with drainage
and wedge it or hang it from
a nearby spot. The nest should be out of the sun
and away
from human hands and interference. The mama
will
find her babies and feed them.
Fawns
& Cottontail rabbits (aka "bunnies")
Their mamas leave them alone for the whole day.
Their protection is that they have no scent. The
mamas return in the evening and feed them.
Please do not touch!
Fledgling
Birds:
Fledgling
Birds have
their new feathers
and are learning to fly.Sometimes they get out of the nest and you will
see them flitting about on the ground. If this
happens please bring the pets inside to provide
some protection while the mama and the papa
corral their exhuberant youth into a safe spot.
Squirrel Babies:
sometimes
fall out of the tree. They can be alone, or sometimes
the nest is knocked out by a storm. You can
put these
babies in a box or a basket with a fleece blanket
near
the tree where they came down, and watch. It may take
the whole day, but you will see the mama taking her babies
to a new nest. The
mamas
have several nests prepared
for just such an emergency.
The same is true of other
small mammals.
Mama Turtles
are
crossing the road in the spring to lay their eggs. You may
help them across the road in the direction that they are
going. Be careful of the large snapping turtles. They have
a rough shell with jagged edges and a long pointy tail.
Never pick up a trutle by its tail. Use a shovel, box or
bag to gently encourage them across the road.Caution,
snappers have looonnng necks.
Please wash your hands after touching any wildlife.
In
the mean time… 
Yes,
you may touch a bird baby if it has fallen out of
the nest. You can put it back into the nest, or if
that
is impossible, or if the entire
nest has come
down, put the baby bird or nest into a basket
or box with drainage
and wedge it or hang it from
a nearby spot. The nest should be out of the sun
and away
from human hands and interference. The mama
will
find her babies and feed them.
Fledgling
Birds have
their new feathers 
You can