One of our Talbot County Bird Club members provided words of caution
regarding what one can expect from the DNR Wildlife Rehabber List.  Read on.
 
 
Les Roslund
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Wanda Diane Cole [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 8:48 AM
To: 
Subject: DNR Wildlife rehabber list



Les,

Please let people know that this list is not up to date.  I recently made
use of it when trying to help an injured turtle.  Sadly, many of these
people have disconnected numbers, didn't return a phone call, or had a
recording that stated they no longer accept animals.  Including former
Talbot Human Society director, Kelly Allen.

The animal ER in Annapolis referred me to the DNR list.  The animal hospital
in Salisbury, which advertises a practice specializing in exotic animals, is
not certified to work with wildlife.  The Salisbury vet did give me some
suggestions on interim care until I could find someone to take the turtle.

I spent several hours on a Sunday working with the DNR Natural Resource
Police to find someone.  There was no one on the eastern shore.  On Monday,
I located a herpetologist in Rockville who suggested Second Chance Wildlife
Centre in Gaithersburg.  It is actually located in Laytonsville- a 3 hr
drive during beltway rush hour traffic.  They were a nice facility and
filled to the ceiling with containers of baby birds.  Including many house
sparrows, starlings, grackles, and mallards.

I do not recommend the Chesapeake Wildlife Sanctuary in Bowie, MD as their
practices have been under scrutiny on several occasions.  The Noah's Ark
facility in Annapolis is no longer in operation.

Dr. Marian Shaw at Chesapeake Vet. Hospital on Kent Island is an avian vet
with a wildlife rehabber permit.  However, her rehab has been limited to the
raptor recovery effort that was/is at Horsehead wetland center.  She has
helped me with purple martins and a mockingbird.  (We euthanized 2 of the
3.)  She didn't charge but suggested making a donation to the Horsehead
project.  I paid her for her time anyway.

People who want to rescue wildlife need to know that wildlife rehab is very
expensive and extremely time-consuming.  It cost me over $100 per month per
bird for food alone.  If someone finds an animal, they should make
absolutely sure it really is injured or abandoned before taking it to a
rehabber.  Rehabbers are unpaid volunteers, and their operations are
non-profits that get no government support.  Please make a generous donation
to their efforts.

Diane Cole

 


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