March is baby mammal season. We already have young squirrels, rabbits, foxes, and raccoons in our nurturing care. Next to arrive will be woodchucks, skunks, and deer.
Nursing red fox (photo by Eric Flores)
In the vast majority of cases, it is possible to keep the family intact (even if they were temporarily separated) avoiding the need for admission. These cases are handled entirely on the phone. Baby animals’ best chance of survival is with their parents, and we take every step to preserve their care.
Nursing red fox (photo by Eric Flores)
Only as a last resort, when all other measures have failed, do we accept a baby animal into care. At the clinic, most mammals are fed species-specialized formula with a nipple and syringe four times a day. They spend the rest of their time in an incubator until they are capable of thermoregulation.
Orphaned gray squirrel (photo by Eric Flores)
Never contact Pennsylvania’s Rabies Vector Species (woodchuck, fox, bat, raccoon, skunk, coyote) with bare skin.
Orphaned gray squirrel (photo by Eric Flores)
