The rescue is in need of a new vehicle. To say we put a vehicle through it’s paces is an understatement. The Suburban we have now is a 2005 and has 230,000 miles on it. The repairs are beyond starting to exceed the value, and will cost too much to make it pass Texas vehicle inspection. We use 4 wheel drive on a regular basis, haul stuff (including a trailer), travel to education and adoption events, picking up supplies and animals, and let’s not forget the occasional use as an emergency ladder to get birds out of trees.
We are hoping one of our followers has an in with a used car dealer in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
We need a large SUV, 4×4, in good shape and trustworthy. And let’s not forget price range. We are not looking to break the bank.
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Post Date
February 22, 2019
Well baby squirrel season started already. We currently have 6 baby fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in our Baby Warm incubator. One has a minor injury from falling from the nest. But what I really want to talk about is what to do, and what not to do if you find an orphaned baby.
But first let’s put a myth to rest. Mom will absolutely take her babies back even if you touched them. There, that’s a thing you know now.
- See if you can locate the nest it came from. Mother squirrels usually have a backup nest already built so reuniting is very possible. The smaller the babies are, the easier it is for mom to take them back to her nest.
- If reuniting is not an option due to injury or other reason, put the baby in a box with a lid, keep it it quiet and warm, and do NOT try to give it any food, milk, water, etc… This is for a few reasons. Baby has to be at proper temperate, so does the formula, and they have to be slowly introduced to formula so they do not get diarrhea (see picture). Diarrhea causes dehydration if not dealt with first. It’s also pretty messy!
- Contact a permitted rehabber. ANY small mammal rehabber. If they can not take it, most will help you find a rehabber close to you.
- Be patient. Lots of calls coming in about babies right now. Leave messages if you get voicemails! Do not hang up and call right back. We could be either working with animals, on another call, or at our day job and not in a position to answer a phone.
- Did I mention to not offer any food or water?
As always, thank you for your support.
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Post Date
February 22, 2019
We had so much fun last year, we can’t wait to do it again! There’s even more fun and free stuff to do, too! Besides getting to know our amazing animals and winning educational prizes, you can now enter our Exotic Pet Show or Bug Costume Contest courtesy of Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park and Krave! (entry forms in the Discussions) Plus, we’ll have a Live Butterfly Release sponsored by Mad Science Shop!
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Post Date
April 21, 2018
We were very honored, and shocked, to learn that we had been nominated for, and received the 2018 National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Marlys J. Bulander “Working Together for Wildlife Award” for our work during hurricane Harvey.
Our work during that time would not have been possible without our wonderful friends and supporters. Three trips to south Texas, lots of supplies, lots of late nights working on feeding babies.
A huge thank you goes out to everybody. We could not do what we do without your support!
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Post Date
April 5, 2018
We got a couple of requests for an update on the Great Horned owl chick (Bubo virginianus).
As you can see, growing like a weed!
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Post Date
April 5, 2018
Well baby season is already in full swing here in Texas. Already getting in squirrels, opossums, and owls. Yesterday we got in a female red phased screech owl and her eggs. She was hit with a chainsaw and could not be saved, all her eggs busted when the tree fell. Please remember that lots of animals use trees and they should be taken down in non breeding season.
Feel free to share this!
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Post Date
April 5, 2018
We told y’all it is baby season. We took in this little guy on Tuesday. Baby great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) approx 7-9 days old in this picture. All charts say this is the point they open their eyes. You can still see the egg tooth that is used to break open the egg when they hatch. Home owner found it Saturday and tried getting it back to mom, but unfortunately that did not work out. Was dehydrated and a touch thin when we got it. Recovering well and devouring food. These owls eat a ton of food as they grow. You can also see the pin feathers starting to come in around the beak and the wing edges.
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Post Date
March 12, 2018
Baby season is starting up. We cover this with people every season. Please do not try and give food nor water to babies. They do not drink water.
Please feel free to share this.
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Post Date
March 12, 2018
Took in this adult female Cooper’s hawk 6 weeks ago. She came in with a broken wing. After giving her time to heal and some physical therapy, she was ready to go back home.
https://youtu.be/u80djDtmYyA
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Post Date
March 12, 2018
We were notified January 7, 2018, of a hawk that was shot. We drove over an hour, late at night, in the rain to meet Hunt County Scanner to pick up the hawk. The bird suffered a broken wing and some tissue and muscle damage. After almost two months of care which included resting the wing so it could heal and physical therapy to get the wing strong again, she was finally ready for release. We drove 90 miles to return the hawk to where she came from so she could be reunited with her mate. This is why we do what we do!
https://youtu.be/U4CVn0qMMPc
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Post Date
March 12, 2018
