Where the wild things are: Rehab facilities aim to care for injured wildlife
Last month while Mary Bailey was walking her dog in Whitehall, she came across an injured rabbit that was struggling to move.
Bailey, of Brentwood, described the creature as having its left hind leg broken.
鈥淵ou could actually see the muscle and bone,鈥� Bailey recalled.
She attempted to contact the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, which operates a wildlife rehabilitation center in Verona. It was about 7:30 in the morning, so the facility wasn鈥檛 open, but Bailey said a recorded message offered detailed instructions on what to do in such a situation.
So she scooped up the rabbit and headed to Verona.
鈥淚 was petting the rabbit, which I probably should not have been doing, just to keep him calm and happy. I was surprised how soft and furry he felt,鈥� Bailey said.
The Humane Animal Rescue鈥檚 鈥淲ild Side鈥� facility is one of few wildlife rehabilitation centers in the region. None exists in Washington, Greene or Fayette counties. In Westmoreland County, there is Wildlife Works, located at 836 Chestnut St. in Youngwood.
When Bailey arrived at the Humane Animal Rescue facility, she handed over the rabbit and signed a form relieving her of all responsibility.
鈥淚f he wasn鈥檛 able to be saved, they could humanely put him down,鈥� Bailey said.
Katie Kefalos, director of wildlife rehabilitation for Humane Animal Rescue, described the rabbit as having a left leg broken in multiple places and a significant wound in its right leg.
鈥淯nfortunately, that is not something we are able to repair. So we did have to humanely euthanize,鈥� Kefalos said.
Though the rabbit could not be saved, it was spared a good deal of pain and suffering.
At the hands of the elements, Kefalos said the rabbit would languish while being picked apart by insects.
鈥淚t is not a peaceful death,鈥� Kefalos said.
When someone reports an injured animal, Kefalos said it is sometimes clear just from the description that the animal will need to be euthanized.
鈥淲e advise people to bring it in. We can end its suffering in a humane and kind way rather than leave it to the elements,鈥� Kefalos said.
Humane Animal Rescue will accept just about any rodent or bird, though they are currently not able to accept raccoons. They also treat bats, foxes and coyotes.
White-tailed deer are among the animals they won鈥檛 treat.
鈥淲e also do not take in bears for the very obvious reason. We are in a residential area,鈥� Kefalos said.
She added they do not take in venomous snakes for, again, obvious reasons.
If you see an injured bear or deer, or wildlife in general, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is another option.
Andy Harvey, a state game warden and information and education supervisor for the game commission鈥檚 southwest office, recommends that people not interact with the animals.
鈥淭here is always potential they could harm you. It is a wild animal 鈥� they are trying to protect themselves. We want to limit any exposure to that, and we certainly don鈥檛 want to see anybody with the public get hurt,鈥� Harvey said.
Harvey added that what is most helpful to the game commission is when the caller is a good observer and provides a detailed description of what is wrong. Sometimes, the animal may be able to recover without human intervention.
鈥淲e want to give the wildlife every chance they can to make it on their own. Raptors, birds of prey, they fly into things. They could fly into a window,鈥� Harvey said.
If given some time to recuperate, Harvey says those birds will likely fly away of their own accord.
With birds, fledglings are also commonly mistaken as being injured when they are out of the nest, but Harvey assures this is normal.
鈥淪ee if it is something that could just be misinterpreted, or something that is going to require a response,鈥� Harvey said.
For the Humane Animal Rescue, Kefalos said whether or not someone should approach an animal is situational. They will provide guidance on how certain species can be safely gathered and transported.
However, if the caller is at all uncomfortable, Kefalos recommends they keep their distance.
鈥淚t depends on how active and responsive the animal is,鈥� Kefalos said. 鈥淚f it is a bit too intense, we do advise for them to call for backup.鈥�
If an animal鈥檚 injuries are treatable, Humane Animal Rescue will develop treatment plans. As the recovery process advances, they are put into bigger cages, and eventually outdoor, 鈥減re-release鈥� cages.
They will monitor animals to make sure they have the physical capabilities to return to their habitats. Birds, for example, need to be able to fly properly.
鈥淲e need to make sure all the flight muscles are still there, or the coordination is still there. They need outdoor time, flying time, before they are able to be released,鈥� Kefalos said.
According to Kefalos, older animals will generally be taken to within a mile of where they were originally found. An orphaned baby, however, may be taken to one of their 70 release sites.
The Humane Animal Rescue鈥檚 Wild Side facility can be reached at 412-345-7300. The game commission鈥檚 dispatch center for wildlife emergencies is 1-833-742-9453.