Article and images by Jen Howard
Approximate read time: 3 minutes
The Centre has been very busy with orphaned babies. all shapes and sizes, also injuries. A little bit about some of our special patients.
Coyote Pups
All 3 orphaned pups are growing well, playful with each other, and have a healthy fear of our volunteers which is exactly what we want. When they are old enough for release that will be the perfect outcome for them.
Baby Mink
Orphaned baby minks were fostered out until they were big enough to come into our care at the Centre. They are growing fast and as soon as they can show their hunting skills are in good order they will be going home.
Skunks
We have a whopping 50 little skunks in our care right now. So many orphans this year.
Please don’t trap and relocate moms. We can give you ideas on what to do to make mom’s move their wee ones on their own, saving so many little orphans from growing up without her.
Moms in the wild are the babies’ best chance of survival. These little ones are strutting their stuff with us, and each other, stomping at us, wrestling with each other. Absolutely adorable. Smiles all around.
One of our little skunks came in with a wound near his back end which was pretty nasty, and infested with maggots. Those removed, cleaned the wound and on medication the little guy is doing well. Very lucky he was found and brought to us. He was in a backyard for approximately a week and being monitored, his strange unusual behavior prompted the home owner to call us and get him help. When in doubt please make that call asap.
Foxes
We have 2 orphaned fox kits and a fox who is fairly new with mange. Mange appears to be bad this year. If you see a fox with mange or you are unsure. Call us at 905-729-0033. Photos are a huge help in these cases, so if you can, get a few and send them in so we can assess the situation. Never wait it out always take the time to call it in right away. If need be, we will come up with a plan to get the fox into our care with your help. Mange is treatable, if gotten in time. So, make that call so we can get on it quickly.
Raccoon
A poor little raccoon was recently brought into us with a leg hold trap on its foot. It underwent surgery to remove 2 toes and is still being monitored by NWC’s veterinarians. It may lose a third toe, but we are hopeful it will make a full releasable recovery. This leg hold trap was not secured but set in a neighborhood. The raccoon dragged it around until it got caught in a fence. Was then help arrived.
Chipmunk
This little one was seen head caught in a rat trap thought to be dead. A few hours spent in there the little one was still very much alive. Covered in fly strike, it was cleaned up and treated. He was a true survivor. Bounced back amazingly fast and has already been released.
Jen Howard