[SEMCO] IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wild Care Seeks Help to Reduce Orphaned Wildlife during COVID-19

Wed Apr 15 15:28:32 EDT 2020

Good Afternoon. We are in need of your assistance to get this important
message out to the public. Any portion of this message that you can publish
or print would be greatly appreciated! Photos by Kerry Reid. Photo of
single rabbit, by Kristine Beebe.
Sincerely,
Se

[image: WC Squirrel by Kerry Reid.jpg]
[image: WC Cottontail by Kristine Beebe.jpg]
[image: WC Squirrel by Kerry Reid1.jpg]

April 15, 2020

                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stephanie Ellis, Executive Director, WILD CARE Inc. /cell, (650) 319-5491

*HELP US REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF ORPHANED WILDLIFE **DURING COVID-19*

###

*Eastham, MA. *Wild Care, Inc., is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
center located in Eastham. Wild Care is dedicated to wildlife
rehabilitation, public education & outreach to prevent wildlife casualties.

“Wild Care provides an essential service to the Cape Cod community and to
our wildlife. Despite less foot and vehicular traffic, animals are still
being impacted in the environment. Therefore, it is critically important
that our doors remain open during this pandemic,” states Stephanie Ellis,
Wild Care Executive Director. “For the safety of our staff, our hours
on-site are limited. We ask if you have an animal in distress, to please
call ahead. We are responding to our Wildlife Helpline remotely and on-site
between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. (After 5PM, please call the Friends of
Cape Wildlife Hotline, 508-375-3700.)

“It is the baby season for wildlife,” states Ellis. “Animals are coming
through our door every day. Because of COVID-19 and our limited capacity,
Wild Care is unable to accommodate an influx of animals at this time. We
are seeking assistance from the public to follow these simple guidelines
below, to help avoid displacing wildlife unnecessarily during this time.”

*HELP US TO REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF ORPHANED WILDLIFE **BY FOLLOWING THESE
SIMPLE GUIDELINES:*

*Eastern Cottontail Rabbits:* A mother cottontail rabbit feeds her young at
dusk and dawn. She does not stay at the nest. If you find a nest of rabbits
in your yard, place a string across the nest in a tic-tac-toe shape. Check
the nest the next morning. If the string is disturbed, the mother has
returned. If not, please call our Helpline at 508-240-2255. Also, a bunny
that is bright-eyed and 4-5 inches long is fully independent and does not
need to be rescued!

*Dogs, cats and landscaping are the top three reasons *

*Wild Care receives orphaned rabbits. *

If your dog digs up a nest and the orphans are not injured, cover them back
up. Use the string test above, and allow mom the chance to come back
overnight and move them.

*Cats and rabbits are a deadly combo.* Please keep your cats indoors. It is
safer for your cat, and safer for wildlife. Consider building or buying a
CATIO, so your cat can experience the great outdoors without harming
wildlife. If your cat finds a nest and the orphans are not injured, cover

them back up. Use the string test above, and allow mom the chance to come
back overnight and move them.

*Landscaping and rabbits:* If you, or your landscaper, uncover a nest of
baby rabbits in the yard and they are not injured, cover it back up and
leave it overnight. Use our tips for determining if a nest is abandoned,
and check in the morning. A rabbit nest is often a shallow depression in
grass, covered with dried grasses, and fur from the mother rabbit. Rabbits
prefer to nest near human dwellings.

*Eastern Gray Squirrels:* Many squirrel nests fall to the ground during
wind and storm events. If you find a squirrel nest with babies in it, place
them into a shoebox with a t-shirt, and provide a heating aid. Do not give
food or water. Note where the nest had fallen, and watch for activity from
the mother squirrel. Place the box of squirrels near the fallen nest.
Eastern Gray Squirrels build SEVERAL nests, and will often move their
young, even if the original nest or tree has been destroyed. Squirrels are
attentive mothers. Please call our Wildlife Helpline, 508-240-2255.

*Dormant vehicles and machinery is a rodent’s best friend!* If you have a
car or piece of machinery (lawnmower and grill) that has not been moved for
a while - open the hood, or move the vehicle frequently, to discourage
squirrels and other rodents from nesting. Rodents do not want to move into
a home that is unpredictable and “unsafe”.  If there is already a nest
under the hood, call us. We can tell you how to encourage squirrels and
mice to move their young. 508-240-2255.

*Please remember – always wear gloves when handling wildlife. In
Massachusetts, it is against the law to trap and relocate wildlife.
Relocation is often fatal for the adult animal that is trapped. During the
spring and summer season, a trapped adult animal will be leaving babies
behind. It is illegal to rehabilitate wildlife in the State of MA unless
you hold a MA Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. Follow our simple
guidelines above. Don’t displace wildlife this season!*

“If there was ever a positive side to this pandemic, I would say that
COVID-19 is inspiring people to get outdoors, and experience nature in a
very different way, “ states Ellis. “People are beginning to realize how
interconnected we are with the flora and fauna around us. They are seeing
nature as a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and as a
grounding place during this time of confinement and social distancing. My
hope is that after this pandemic, this newfound love for the environment
will foster a lifelong commitment in people to preserve wildlife and their
habitats.”

“During this time, we realize that many are experiencing financial
hardship, and precedence should be taken to contribute to those in most
desperate need. If you are able, donations are needed while we continue our
mission and operations during COVID-19. Please visit our website at
www.wildcarecapecod.org to donate, or to view our Wish List. Donations can
also be mailed to Wild Care, Inc. 10 Smith Ln. Eastham, MA 02642. Please
check our Facebook page daily, @Wild Care Cape Cod to find more tips on how
you can help to reduce impacts on wildlife.”

###

ABOUT WILD CARE:

Wild Care’s mission is to treat injured, ill and orphaned native wildlife
for release, to prevent wildlife casualties through public education and
live counseling, and to engage the community in conservation, through
volunteerism. Since our founding, Wild Care has accepted over 27,000 wild
creatures, representing 275 species of native birds, mammals, and reptiles.
On average, Wild Care receives over 1,800 wild animals per year for
treatment. If you encounter injured, orphaned or ill wildlife please call
Wild Care’s “Wildlife Helpline” at 508-240- 2255. For more information
about Wild Care’s programs, events or to make a donation please visit our
website: www.wildcarecapecod.org.

 [image: WC Cottontail Nest by Kerry Reid.JPG]

Stephanie Ellis
Executive Director
Wild Care, Inc.
10 Smith Lane
Eastham, MA 02642
www.wildcarecapecod.org

Find us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WildCareCapeCod>!
508-240-2255 office
<http://www.wildcarecapecod.org/>
   <http://bit.ly/wildcaresubscription>
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