Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - 7/28 - 08/3 Wildlife: Co-existing with your wild neighbors [ ]

As animal lovers and care takers sometimes we have to fight the urge to feed or make friends with our wild neighbors. We also have concerns about the safety of our domestic pets and our human family when encountering wildlife.

So what do you do when you encounter a baby animal that may or may not be abandoned, and how do you determine if they really are in need? How do you handle it if Mrs. Skunk has decided that beneath your porch is the perfect place to raise her little family? Or do you have a bear that likes to sample your weekly garbage rations?

These and many other questions are what our next guest, Wildlife Rehabber Katherine Uhler. Katherine Uhler lives with her husband, Eric, in Cherry Valley, Monroe County, PA. She became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator 28 years ago and established the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, a state and federally licensed facility which today serves six counties and treats more than 1200 animals each year of all species. She teaches high school Ecology and Bioethics at Stroudsburg High School and has earned a MS degree in Wildlife Biology from East Stroudsburg University, specializing in diseases of wildlife. In addition to providing care for injured, orphaned and ill wildlife, the PWREC provides wildlife education programs for groups of all kinds in eastern and northeastern PA.

The PWREC is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which depends on donations from the public to operate. We are also looking for corporate sponsorships to help cover our consistent costs, such as telephone, garbage, electric etc. Information about the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center can be found on our website, www.poconowildlife.org , or by emailing us at pocowild@ptd.net

So please join us beginning July 28th and bring your many questions about your wild neighbors and how to live peacefully and safely with them.

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:16 am Post subject: Stinky Dogs

Hi Kathy! I have a fenced in yard and there are a couple of rabbits that have decided they love the yard. The problem is that one decided to raise some babies there this year and with my dogs its not the best thing. Is there a way to discourage her from having more litters there, and is it ok to move them just outside the fence if she does it again? Thanks!

Kathy's Answer
Unlike some other mammals, bunnies cannot be moved from a nest. Rabbits can be live-trapped and moved, but if unsuccessful,and the area surrounding the fenced-in area is ok for rabbits, I would suggest buying a very small vial of fox urine from a sporting goods store or www.predatorpee.com and sprinkling VERY small amounts of it in the yard. The rabbit will think there is a fox around and avoid that area. You’d think the smell of dog would be enough, but for some reason many animals grow so accustomed to that smell, they don’t mind. AND – in fact, know that if a dog is around, other predators avoid the area! Before I get barraged with emails hailing me with boos for suggesting a product that may come from “less than appealing” methods, such small amounts are needed and it has worked so well for me in preventing lethal removal of pest animals that I still recommend it. Of course, if the fenced in area is small enough, I’d simply move that rabbit, and install rabbit fencing along the bottom of the existing dog fence. Problem solved!
Kathy

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject: Skunk trouble

Hi Kathy! My dog seems to have skunk radar. I live in a semi rural area and so of course skunks will happen, but is there a way to deter them from my yard? Are the liquid yard deterrents safe?
Thanks!

Kathy's Answer
There are several ways of reducing problems with skunks. First off, we live in a rural area as well, and despite the urge to “give our dogs freedom” and let them run, we don’t, especially after dark. Second, skunks can be deterred from areas by reducing the reasons why they are there, which is primarily BUGS. Be sure your yard is free from debris and keep your lawn healthy using biological insect controls and never water your lawn at night! Before you use any deterrents read the ingredients! Never use moth balls or anything containing naphthalene (I think that’s right). www.gemplers.com sells a cool motion-detector that emits a sound that evidently animals don’t like, and http://www.critter-repellent.com/skunk/skunk-control.php sounds like something I’d try as well. The simplest solution is not to let your dog run after dusk. AND don’t forget to keep a bottle of Skunk-off, Skunk-away, or Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor remover on hand!
Kathy

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

Hello Kathy. We live in a neighborhood with a ton of squirrels. Many times the babies fall out of the nest and I am concerned about the cats that wander around the neighborhood catching one. I had been told in the past to leave them alone and mom will take them back up to the nest. Also, one time I had to save a baby squirrel from an adult who was attacking it. I kept it in my spare bedroom/office in a cat carrier with a heating pad underneath. It took until lunch the next day for a rehabber to pick him up and she said he was very starved and in pretty bad shape. How can I care for them if this happens in the future until the rehabber can get them from me?

Kathy's Answer
First, you now know how to get ahold of a rehabber in your area. Good job!!! For those reading this who may not, google in your state and wildlife rehabilitator or simply “find wildlife rehabilitator” and once you find the closest one keep the number handy. As for baby squirrels, they fall out of the nest for several reasons. Mom USUALLY will come and get them but if there are many cats, and they are very young you can attach an open basket to the side of a tree, put clean paper towels in the basket and place the babies in that. When the babies squeal, the mother hears them and will come and get them. If they are cold, have bloody noses or obvious injuries, bring them inside, place in a box with an old tee shirt or other non-terry cloth material and place the box on a heating pad set on low. If you don’t have one, use a soda bottle filled with warm water or a small bag filled with dry rice microwaved until warm (not hot). Obtain pedialyte, diluted Gatorade, or mix a small amount of sugar with some warm water and CAREFULLY give with an eyedropper. The heat and hydration should provide the needed help until you can get the little ones to a rehabilitator. Remember that native wildlife is illegal to possess in almost every state- get wildlife to a rehabilitator, or better yet, to the mom!
Kathy

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Kathy. I have a snake that suns itself on my front sidewalk each day. He does not move if we come past to get in the house. I worry he will bite one of us, our animals or an ususpecting visitor. Any ideas? Thanks

Kathy's Answer
To Buter&Lola-
If you really have a problem with snakes, you can place a square bucket (cat litter ones) next to or behind him and shush him into it with a broom or gently with a shovel. Stand up the bucket, put the lid on and take him to another sunny location with cover (rocks etc). Snakes rarely bite people or pets, but relocation is always an option. If you google reptile or snake rescue with your location (state, county etc), you may find someone who would help you with this for a small donation or fee. You can always email us a photo if you want an identification to be sure its not venomous.
Kathy

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Unlucky Chucks

Is it safe to leave corn out and such for deer, crows, squirrels in the winter? We have never had an issue but some peopel tell me its nto a good thing to do. Thanks!

Kathy's Answer

Crazydogs-

We don’t believe that feeding most wildlife is probably a good thing. Certainly corn is not particularly healthy, especially for deer, whose digestive system is so delicate and actually changes with the seasons. Crows and squirrels can handle just about anything, but are rarely in “need” of dietary help. If you are putting out a little, just for the pleasure of watching them, that’s ok, but also remember to place this food far enough away from your buildings that you aren’t drawing groundhogs, skunks, and the multitudes of disease-carrying and property-destroying rodents that most certainly are sharing this bounty under the cloak of darkness!!!

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: hummingbirds

Not really a keep your pets safe question...I have heard that the red dye used in commercial hummingbird food is not good for them. Is there a recipe for making it at home? Is it just sugar water?? Also when I put up the feeder is it ok for it to be near other bird feeders or should they be kept far away from them? Will the bigger birds pick on them if their feeders are in the same area? Thanks!

Kathy's Answer
The following link is for the recipe that the National Zoo makes for their hummingbirds. They also recommend no red dye and it isn’t necessary anyway if you use feeders that are colored! I would place the feeder a little distance, but hummers can defend themselves well. In fact, if you get more than 2 males, my suggestion is more than one feeder. We have seen male hummingbirds that have died from being stabbed in the back by other hummers competing for a spot at the feeder! Good questions from a thought-ful person!

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/WebCam/hummingbird_nectar_recipe.cfm

Kathy
Pocono Wildlife Rehab and Ed Ctr

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