MAC members and the public may need to know of resources that can help with an injured bird, an orphaned bunny and other urgent situations involving wildlife. Such resources may also include suggestions for dealing humanely and innovatively with wildlife that present us with problems, such as squirrels in the eaves or raccoons in the garden.
The following websites provide a variety of information:
The Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Association of Massachusetts
WRAM is a non-profit organization that supports, educates, and provides a community for wildlife rehabilitators, and works on their behalf with other organizations and the public to assist in their mission of improving the well-being of wildlife in New England since 1992.
Cape Wildlife Center
Provides year-round veterinary and rehabilitative care to orphaned, injured, and ill wild animals; offers advice over the phone about solving conflicts with wildlife; and advocates on animals’ behalf. A program of The Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals.
Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife Clinic
The Clinic educates and engages veterinary students in the practice of wildlife medicine as well as the larger ethical and conservation issues that impact wildlife individuals and populations. It provides humane, appropriate, and best achievable medical care and rehabilitation for wildlife patients with the goal of eventual release back to the wild. It advances knowledge in the fields of wildlife and conservation medicine through high quality research activities with the goal of improving the well-being of wildlife individuals and populations and serves as an educational resource for veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, government agencies, and the general public
New England Wildlife Center (NEWC)
The New England Wildlife Center is a nineteen-year-old, humane, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving wildlife and the environment through the operation of a wildlife teaching hospital, education and advocacy. Our hospital treats thousands of ailing animals each year and releases them back to the wild whenever possible. Since our inception, the Center’s hospital has treated approximately 37,000 ailing wild animals representing 225 species and has provided information about wildlife, habitats and the environment to more than 120,000 people who have called our hospital for help.
Wildlife Rehabilitators
A list of rehabilitators holding permits for the treatment of wildlife is available on the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife site.
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Squirrels in your attic? Raccoons in your chimney? Geese on your lawn? Mice in your pantry? Information on this site can help you resolve your human-wildlife conflicts in a humane, long-term and cost-effective manner.
Animal Rescue League of Boston Field Services
CEASE (Citizens to End Animal Suffering and Exploitation)
Founded in Massachusetts in 1979, CEASE is a nonprofit, volunteer organization. For the past few years CEASE has focused primarily on the issue of fur, trapped or ranched, raising public awareness through media campaigns. Their website features “Top Ten Easy Ways to Help Animals” and “Everyday Ways to Help Animals.”
Unlicensed individuals may not keep or treat wildlife.
For information on rabies, visit the Mass. Department of Public Health.