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Can I Keep It?

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Contributed by: Donna Ralph on 7/1/2007

By Donna Ralph
Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
So you found a bird or mammal and have decided you want to keep it. First of all, in Colorado it is illegal to keep any and all wildlife without state and federal permits. If you call us looking for advice on how to care for an animal that you want to keep, we won't be able to help you because we would risk losing our hard-earned permits. By keeping a wild animal and refusing to turn it over to a licensed person you assume full responsibility not only for its well-being but any liability involved as well. People that find wildlife are very excited about it and typically show the animal to friends and family, and also share pictures of the animal as well. Sooner or later one of those people (or a neighbor) squeals and that animal will likely be confiscated and put down immediately because maybe the animal is tame and/or has a problem that deems it nonreleaseable. There is plenty of animal care information on the Internet. Some of it is good, some not so good. Improper diet will manifest itself later in life in the form of bone, feather, fur, and/or metabolic problems. Oftentimes what we get is someone found the animal and had it for a while, tried caring for it, failed and the animal is on the decline, then they look to us for help at which time almost always it is too late. Are you sure you want to keep that animal in your house? Some birds and mammals carry parasites; fleas, ticks, and mammals carry worms that can be spread to you, your dogs and your cats, and in the case of raccoons, a roundworm that can cause serious and permanent damage to you. When that animal grows it may start chewing on and destroying your furniture. What if that animal needs medical care? Most veterinarians are aware of the laws pertaining to wildlife and either can't or won't treat wildlife, and especially won't treat wildlife that belongs to someone without a permit. What if you want to go on vacation? Who will look after your "pet?" It is very cruel to raise wildlife from baby and then boot it out the door when it's a problem for you or no longer convenient for you. Your animal may have absolutely no survival skills and may not know how to find food or recognize a predator. It might be tame or imprinted, thus deeming it defective in the eyes of its own kind, who may kill it or chase it away. What if your tame animal goes to people for food or comfort? Scares that person who may injure or kill it? What if your animal bites or scratches someone? Who do you suppose is legally liable for damages? That would be you. Deciding to keep a pet is responsibility enough, even when done legally. When deciding to keep wildlife illegally you increase problems for yourself and that animal. Please do the right thing when finding wildlife by turning it over to licensed people that can help it. Contact us for more information.
www.ellicottwildlife.com
683-8152
EWRC, P.O. Box 75069, Colorado Springs, CO. 80970

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Donna Ralph

Colorado Springs , CO

Donna Ralph has posted 394 stories and 2 comments since joining on 10/9/2006. Donna Ralph 's average story rating is 4.62.

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