Wildlife Rehabilitation

Dr. Carrie O'Loughlin shares her veterinary expertise with local wildlife rehabilitators to the benefit of our diverse wildlife population. This past year her patients have included rabbits, deer, coyote, muskrat, opossums, foxes, squirrels and a Snapping Turtle. But the majority of her wildlife patients are birds, especially birds of prey, including Red Tail Hawk, swan, Turkey vulture, Flicker, Great Horned Owl, pigeon, broad wing hawk, screech owl, ring bill gull, Canada goose, coopers hawk, kestrel, Merlin, sharp shinned hawk, dove, duck, rough legged hawk, crow, red shouldered hawk, peregrine falcon, sharpie hawk, barred owl and nighthawk.  

Birds of prey are vulnerable to injury, often by cars because they fly over or sit on or near roadside. Some injuries require nursing care, others major orthopedic surgery to return the patient to full health needed to be returned to the wild. Sadly, not all patients can be fully healed. But most of these patients have been returned to the wild with Dr. O'Loughlin's skill and the tender, loving, constant attention of caring wildlife rehabilitators.

Dr. O'Loughlin has volunteered approximately 40 hours and  $7,000 worth of veterinary care for wildlife patients.

What do you do if you find hurt or injured wildlife? 
First, do not touch or move any animal that is not in imminent danger of injury. Second, call North Country Wild Care Hotline at 964-6740 for further instructions. Many animals are capable of reviving or are actually not injured and will move on without your interference. It is very important to remember all wildlife can possibly be carrying Rabies, a deadly disease transferable to humans. Do not touch or care for wildlife unless you have confidence in your own knowledge and ability to protect yourself.