The wildlife helpline of Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh has been receiving an overwhelming number of calls from people who have discovered juvenile animals who are either injured or abandoned.
It has come to the attention of Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center that they have been compelled to temporarily halt the intake of some animals as the season for the birth of wild babies has begun.
On some days, we are receiving fifty to sixty animals each day, while on other days, we are only receiving twenty to thirty,” said Katie Kefalos, who is the director of wildlife rehabilitation.
“Every year, we’re seeing a slight increase,” according to the researcher.
According to Kefalos, they have young animals that require constant feedings and months of preparation before they can be released back into the wild.
Because it is now caring for more than thirty-two young raccoons and groundhogs, the center is unable to accept any additional young animals at this time. This is because it must prioritize the care of each of these animals. However, the center is still accepting adults at this time.
There is a groundhog that we have that is so young that it still needs to be kept in an incubator and that it requires hand-feeding every four hours. The remaining ones have begun the process of graduating. As she put it, “They are feeding themselves.”
But why are there so many groundhogs and raccoons of a young age who require assistance?
“Unfortunately, it is the human race. According to Kefalos, around 85 percent of the reason why these patients were brought in was because their parents were either located and moved or, sadly, they were no longer with us.
The institute strongly recommends that individuals refrain from moving animals that they wish to remove from their homes or from their attics. As an alternative, you may try what the center refers to as “humane harassment techniques” in order to get mom to relocate on her own without resorting to any traps.
Her young will accompany her wherever she goes. The process does take a few days. “However, raccoon mothers and groundhog mothers are truly exceptional examples of motherhood,” Kefalos stated.
She suggested that you phone the hotline of the wildlife center if you have animals that have become a nuisance on your property and you want them to leave. The experts at the wildlife center will take you through the process of removing the animals you request. She stated that the procedures could include, for instance, lining the space with rags that have been soaked in distilled white vinegar or playing loud music. This would be the case if they were located in an attic.
Not only are those lovely raccoons and groundhogs present in the structure, but there are also other species. Opossums, squirrels, rabbits, birds of prey, and songbirds are among the many animals that may be found at the center.
“Trying to make sure that we give the best care to all of them is a task every single day,” Kefalos explained to reporters.
As a result of the storm-related occurrences that occurred after the violent windstorm that occurred in April, HARP was forced to lock its doors for almost one week in order to accommodate the large number of animals that were brought in during the storm.
“It is painful for us each and every time we are forced to close our doors, either completely or partially, to particular species. It is not something that we wish to undertake,” she stated.
Just remember to phone the wildlife helpline at 412-345-7300 x500 if you come across an animal that is in need of assistance, even if HARP is not currently accepting that particular kind of animal during this time.
