Have to say something, this seems wrong!

[stratus_020202]

I have a friend who brought home a baby fawn. The baby's mother was hit by a car, and it was tiny tiny tiny. She called the humane society AND a nearby vets office and they gave her the same answer, "PUT IT BACK OUTSIDE. IT'S A WILD ANIMAL AND PROBABLY NOT GOING TO LIVE ANYWAY." WTF!! Is it legal for them to refuse treatment?? I gave her some goats milk (because it's the best), and told her to feed it at least a few oz every couple of hours.

The little male lived to be about a year and some change before she donated it to an animal park. STILL. How can someone dedicated to helping animals REFUSE to do so?? Done ranting.

I was talking to her on the phone, telling her about this awesome forum and the subject came up.

[Corvid]

I worked at an animal shelter that had an open door policy. You wouldn't believe some of the animals we received! I remember I volunteered to drive 3 hours after work one night to take a Swainson's hawk to the raptor rescue.

It's a shame that people would turn away an animal in need...

I'm glad to hear this little guy did well, I could always stand to look at some baby pictures if your friend has them!!!

[llovelace]

There are wild life rescues available in some areas. It stinks that they didn't suggest one to her. Kuddos to her for raising the fawn and proving them wrong

[stratus_020202]

Oh. That's a good idea. I'll check with her. She gave him up right as he was getting the fuzz on his antlers. He loved to play, and it wasn't so great when the antlers started growing in. Otherwise they would have kept him. It's funny how much of an impression we can make on an animal by giving them a few hours of our time each day.

[RoyalGuardian]

you can't be serious!!! thats so sad!!! well I'm glad you guys helped it. Poor little thing... better a chance than none I say. I would have kept it. Who cares about the law. What are they going to do? Put you in jail for helping an orphaned fawn when the shelter wouldn't take him? I think that a judge would have more heart than that.

[Shadera]

They tend to do that with raptors as well. I've made sure all the local vets have my contact info so I can go pick up those birds and transfer them to the raptor rehab if they'll just hang onto them long enough for me to get there.

I agree, it stinks that wild lives are so disposable.

[mainbutter]

Most humane societies/animal rescues don't take in wildlife, and take the position that wildlife should stay in the wild, even if that means an orphaned fawn is left to die.

If anyone has the need to find a home for injured/orphaned wildlife, contact a WILDLIFE specific rescue if there is one in the area, as lovelace said.

[daniel1983]

I have had vets refuse to treat wild animals before.....and most 'shelters' refuse to take them as well.

Wildlife rehabilitation/shelters/rescues are the way to go. In Louisiana, I believe you have to be a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to take the injured wild animals legally.

[wolfy-hound]

Vets can lose their licenses for treating wild animals in some cases. They SHOULD refer the person to a wildlife rehab center IF there is one around. Otherwise, calling Fish and Game is the alternative.

[Mettle]

Here in Ontario, Canada the wildlife centres have in large been shut down due to an stupid rule about relocating wildlife. Apparently there's a law that says wildlife cannot be relocated. The logic behind it? Not sure. But that's the way it is... As a result, something like wildlife recues, who would relocate rehabilitated animals, were all shut down. Incredibly stupid. So now when you have a situation like the one in this thread there is NO ONE to call.

Oh... It's also illegal to keep/house native wildlife. Go figure.