Found an Animal?

Many well-meaning people rescue an orphaned mammal or bird that does not need to be rescued.

DO NOT rescue wildlife and then keep (kidnap) the bird or animal for a possible pet. State and federal laws protect nearly all wild mammals and birds. It is against the law to possess the animal or bird or the nests, feathers, or eggs of a bird without special permits.

In addition, dietary needs of each species of bird and animal are different and it is almost impossible to duplicate their needs in captivity without special training. TWRC receives many irreparably damaged birds and animals because the rescuer tried to keep it as a pet and did not know how to provide for it properly.

It is not true that mammals or birds will always reject their young once they have been handled by humans. Nonetheless, the handling of wild babies should be avoided or kept to a minimum. Handling by humans can be stressful to the animal. Also, the human scent can sometimes attract predators seeking food.

Below are things you can do to help a wild creature in trouble:

Temporary Care Instructions for All Animals:

1. Never pick up any wild animal/bird with your bare hands. Only adults should handle a wild animal. Wear gloves and use a stick, broom or rolled up newspaper to push the animal into an appropriately-sized, secure box with a blanket, t-shirt or paper towel on the bottom. Make sure the box has holes in the lid. DO NOT put the animal into a plastic bag.
2. Do not give the animal any food or liquids. Feeding an animal an incorrect diet can result in injury or death. Also, a captured animal will get food and water stuck in its fur/feathers potentially leading to discomfort and hypothermia.
3. If an animal or bird has been caught by a cat, please take it to the Center immediately. Even if wounds are not visible, the animal or bird needs to be given antibiotics.
4. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place. Darkness makes the animal feel more secure. The box can be placed half on and half off a heating pad set on low. If the animal gets too warm it can move to the other end of the box.
5. Leave the animal alone. Remember human noise, touch and eye contact are very stressful to wild animals.
6. Keep children and pets away. BE CAREFUL! An animal that is hurt or frightened may bite.
7. Take the animal to the Center or call TWRC at 713-468-8972 for further assistance. Or you may also call us after hours at 713-295-9059
   

 Zoonotic Deseases

Zoonoses are diseases transmissible from animal to man, generally through direct contact with the animal or its body fluids or waste. With the exception of birds and the educational animals, most TWRC volunteers do not handle wildlife. While this minimizes the volunteer's risk, it does not eliminate it.

There is a limited risk of transmission for some zoonotic diseases through exposure to the animal's waste or bodily fluids. It is always important to wash or sanitize your hands after such exposure.

However, if a volunteer or rescuer does handle wildlife and happens to be bitten or scratched, it is important to know:

• What animal bit or scratched them
• When the event occurred
• And report the event to the local authorities (see page on rabies)

This listing is not all inclusive of zoonotic diseases that you or your pets can be exposed to when coming in contact with wildlife. This list is intended to raise awareness that these risks do exist:

• Rabies: Generally transmitted by direct contact (bite or scratch, or direct exposure to blood or saliva) with rabid wildlife or by contact with domestic animals, which have acquired the infection from rabid wildlife. High-risk animals include skunks, foxes, raccoons, coyote and bats. Low-risk animals include squirrels, rabbits, rats and opossums and other mammals.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): transmitted by the bite of an infected tick or by the contamination of skin by crushed tick tissue or waste.
• Lyme Disease: transmitted by the bite of an infected tick or flea or by the contamination of skin by crushed tick/flea tissue or waste.
• Psittacosis (Ornithosis Chlamydiosis):transmitted by the bite or scratch of various species of birds especially parrots, parakeets, pigeons and doves.
• Leptospirosis: transmitted to humans by direct contact with an infected animal, its urine, or indirectly via urine contamination of soil, water or food.
• Hanta Virus: transmitted by flea bites or by direct contact with infected animals or their discharges (feces, saliva, and dried urine). High-risk animals include wild rodents found in western states.
• Tularemia: transmitted by the bites of ticks/deerflies and mosquitoes and/or by handling an infected animal. High-risk animals include rabbits, prairie dogs and deer.
• Salmonellosis: transmitted from animal to person through ingestion of contaminated food or water. It is prevalent in the digestive tract of reptiles, especially turtles and iguanas.
• Baylisascaris procyonis " transmitted through the mishandling of raccoon feces.
• Giardiasis: is a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite. Once an animal or person has been infected, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time. Signs include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. People become infected when they drink water containing this parasite or by putting something in their mouth that has come into contact with a pet's stool.