April 17, 2019
Wild Care Friends
While the Easter Bunny prepares to deliver eggs soon, the Eastern Cottontails are busy nesting!
Their nests consist of a shallow depression in the grass - sometimes right in your backyard. Adult female cottontails' nurse their young 2-3 times per day, at dusk and dawn. Mother rabbit does not stay at the nest - this would attract predators! If you find a nest of rabbits, please do not disturb it, and keep pets indoors. Do not handle the young rabbits. Mark the nest with a piece of yarn, or two blades of grass, in an
X
pattern placed gently over the top of the nest. Check the nest the next morning. If the
X
has moved, mother rabbit has been there, and they are not orphaned! If the
X
has not moved, they may need our help. Give us a call on our Helpline,
508-240-2255.
Orphaned rabbits are one of the most challenging species to rehabilitate. They have a low-tolerance for stressful environments, and a very delicate gastrointestinal system. They require a quiet setting, consistent handling, and proper nutrition. We are fortunate to work with Kristine Beebe, a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, who takes these orphans into her care. Many are released back into the wild.
At Wild Care, we strive to prevent kidnappings! It is best when a young Eastern Cottontail can be nursed by its mother in the wild. If you care, leave them there - and call us for assistance. You can save a life. <3
Sincerely, Executive Director, Stephanie ~
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Please consider making a
Donation
today. Your donation can help orphans like these Eastern Cottontails.
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Video by Kristine Beebe.
Cottontails eating solid food for the first time!
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Eastern Cottontail Orphans
Photo by Kerry Reid.
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These orphans could not be reunited with their mom. The #1 reason Wild Care receives orphaned rabbits is due to cats (#2 - dogs) getting into nests. When you can, please keep cats indoors! It is safer for your cat, and safer for our precious wildlife. Please keep dogs away from nests. Wildlife will thank you! <3
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Spring is here! We are gearing up for our baby season. Did you know that Wild Care received 131 Eastern Cottontails in 2018, mostly orphaned?
Make a donation today, and help us prepare for what spring has to bring!
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Reuniting Really Reduces Residents!
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Video of a mother squirrel removing her babies. View YouTube video
here
.
Video and snapshot by Suellen Keller.
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Last week we happily celebrated three successful family reunions with Eastern Gray Squirrels. Read their story...
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By Jennifer Taylor, Animal Care Coordinator
Wild Care receives hundreds of babies in the spring and summer. We make every effort to keep babies with their parents, especially those who are not truly orphaned. Babies who still have healthy parents but have been separated for one reason or another; often by people who are only trying to help.
Wild Care and other wildlife centers will all agree that animal parents, are the best parents. Taking care of an orphan is not easy, it involves long hours and hard work to do it well. As wildlife rehabbers, we do our best. We have acquired considerable amounts of information over the years, consistently improving our skills, but we are still humans- not rabbits, squirrels or songbirds..
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By Jennifer Taylor, Animal Care Coordinator
Different species of birds behave differently as patients. I
recently
wrote about an American Black Duck being the worst-behaved patient we had ever had. Now I'm writing about one of our most well-behaved patients, a black sea duck.
Scoters are black sea ducks that winter in the coastal waters around Cape Cod. They eat mostly mollusks (especially clams and mussels) and crustaceans. There are three types of Scoters in North America; Black Scoters, Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters. The males’ orange bills are quite spectacular, especially the Surf Scoter...
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Join Unity on Cape Cod for several short films on plastics in the ocean.
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RSVP required. Enjoy a delicious 5-course meal paired with award-winning wines from
First Crush Winery
of Harwich Port. Ticket price is $120 per person, and includes all taxes and gratuity.
View the complete dinner
menu
which includes vegetarian entrees.
If attendees wish to purchase wine to take home, First Crush Winery will offer discounted pricing, in addition to a four pack, that offers a savings of $10-$20.
Enjoy a wonderful evening while supporting Wild Care. Tickets can be purchased by visiting our website at
www.wildcarecapecod.org/winedinner
,
or call Kerry, Office Admin at Wild Care 508.240.2255.
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25th Annual Wild Care Yard Sale
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2019
Time: 9 AM EST – 1 PM EST
Location: Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street Harwich MA
TO DONATE:
Bring your USABLE, CLEAN and PRICED items to the Harwich Community Center on Friday June 7, 2018 from 1 PM to 7 PM. We can accept: home decor, housewares, tools, sports equipment, small working appliances, lamps, art & frames, light-weight furniture, jewelry, and modern books. We are sorry, we cannot accept: TV’s; computers or computer monitors; non-working, large and older appliances; Christmas items; clothing; heavy furniture; and animal fur or feathers.
TO ATTEND:
Just show up on June 8th between 9 AM and 1 PM at the Harwich Community Center. We’re sure we have treasures just for you!
TO VOLUNTEER:
Friday, June 7 - 11 AM to 8 PM. Wild Care Yard Sale set up at the Harwich Community Center. Volunteers Needed. Contact Jan Raffaele at
ferals18@msn.com
or call 774-237-0797.
We’re always looking for help. Below are just a few of the possible volunteer opportunities available:
Help unload boxes from donor’s cars
Unpack boxes and price items
Help work the floor the day of the sale
Pack unsold items on Saturday
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JUNE 22
JUNE 29
WILD BABY SHOWER @ WILD CARE
(RAIN DATE - June 30)
(Check Facebook for weather updates.)
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Volunteer Spotlight - by Niki Walley (Wildlife Rehabilitator/Volunteer Coord.)
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Wild Care is grateful for our volunteers! We would not survive without them. They assist with everything from animal care, to gardening, facility maintenance, fundraising and so much more!
This month, we'd like to highlight two outstanding volunteers, Kate and Chuck Martel.
This husband and wife duo, started as Baby Bird Program Volunteers in the Summer of 2018, then joined our trained squirrel feeding team last Fall, and have stayed on as Clinic Volunteers all winter and spring. They have helped us with rescues and releases too! They work as a team, and do a great job. They bring lots of positive energy to Wild Care, and are always eager to learn something new.
We are grateful for you Kate and Chuck!
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We've got one-of-a-kind Designs.
Purchase at Wild Care daily in our lobby between the hours of
9AM-5PM. 10 Smith Ln. Eastham, or contact Kerry between the hours of 10AM-2PM, M-F to purchase over
the phone at
(508) 240-2255.
Merchandise s
hipping charges vary.
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Turtle T-Shirt ($20)
Kids & Adult Sizes
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Owl T-Shirt ($20)
Kids & Adult Sizes
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Osprey Long Sleeved T-shirt ($25)
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Osprey - Heather Green Hoodie ($45)
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Wild Care hats available for $28. 100% cotton,
6-panel, pigment dyed, garment-washed, hat features a Cool-CrownTM mesh lining to keep you cool and a leather strap with antique brass buckle
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If you were thinking about purchasing something soon, we would be grateful if you used our
Smile
account, there is no additional cost to you, but a nice donation to Wild Care! And don't forget to take a look at our Amazon Wishlist, below!
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Wild Care, Inc.
10 Smith Lane
Eastham, MA 02642
info@wildcarecapecod.org
508-240-2255
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About Wild Care
Since 1994, Wild Care has treated injured, ill and orphaned native wildlife for release back into the wild capable of independent survival, prevented wildlife casualties through public education and counseling, and engaged the community in conservation services through volunteerism. Wild Care does not charge the public for our services. We accept wildlife regardless of a rescuer's ability to make a donation; and we never compromise quality of care or the dignity of an animal's life for fundraising purposes.
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