Submitted by Peoria County Animal Protection Services
Summer is here and with it comes green grass, new flowers, and wildlife. Wild animals, particularly in our urban areas, continue to present a challenge for residents and neighborhoods. Most commonly, residents encounter young wildlife separated from their mothers, bats (sometimes inside the house), coyotes, raccoons, or squirrels taking up residence in their yards.
The summer season brings new babies in nature, and people sometimes encounter the babies and even an angry mother. This can be dangerous for the animal and the residents. Wild mothers will be very aggressive in protecting their young; people who interfere can be attacked or bitten.
Oftentimes, well-intentioned individuals will pick up a wild baby or litter they see thinking they’re “rescuing” it. Sadly, what’s really happening is that the young are being stolen from their mothers. Most wild animals and birds thought to be abandoned or orphaned are not. Mothers nurse their young at dawn and dusk so it’s normal for babies to be unattended for long periods of time. And, mothers won’t return to young when people stay close by watching. We shouldn’t assume the young are abandoned or orphaned just because we don’t see the mother. The best course is to leave the animals alone.
Of course, sometimes mothers have their babies in inconvenient areas — perhaps in a home’s chimney or window well. The only option then, of course, is to call animal control and have the babies removed and relocated, if possible. Unless someone has experience and a license, no one should attempt to move the animals or take them into their homes.
Possessing a wild animal is illegal in Illinois. It is against the law to raise wild animals and birds without a license even if your intent is to release them when they get bigger. And, by taking the animals inside, you create a health risk for you and your family. Licensed professionals exist throughout Illinois who can handle the babies that are truly orphaned.
Most of us are used to seeing raccoon, opossum, deer, and rabbits in our neighborhoods. However, coyotes have become more evident in residential areas as they adapt to the changing environment. They take advantage of the abundant food the suburban landscape offers — rabbits, feral cats, and even garbage. Coyotes are usually wary of humans and will avoid people whenever possible. Documented cases of coyotes biting humans are very rare although cats and small dogs may be seen as prey by the coyote, while larger dogs may be injured in a confrontation. To avoid these situations, consider the following:
- Fence your property or yard.
- Keep animals in at night.
- Don’t leave dog or cat food outside.
- Have your pet vaccinated for rabies as required by law.
- Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs.
Bats also make frequent appearances inside homes within our community. Normally, they won’t bother people, but they can begin to fly about if disturbed. Pets may also come in contact with them, which creates potential exposure for the dog or cat. If you see a bat in your home, don’t try to handle it yourself. Contact local animal control. Bats may carry rabies and, should you get exposed while trying to capture or kill the animal, you may have to endure rabies shots. Peoria County Animal Protection Services will respond to impound any bat found inside a home in Peoria County. Consider these tips:
- If you see a bat in your home, leave the room and close the door if possible. Place a towel under the door to block its escape and call for help. Do not kill the bat!
- Do not touch or handle the bat in any way. Keep dogs, cats, and other pets away from it.
- Notify the animal control officer if you suspect you or another household member has been exposed.
A person trying to handle wildlife, especially one who is ill or hurt, can easily be bitten and require rabies shots. If you encounter a wild animal, don’t handle it. Call animal control or the local wildlife biologist or conservation officer of the Department of Natural Resources for help. Be sure to teach children to leave all wild animals alone; instruct them to alert an adult if they see wildlife in need.
For more information, go to Living with Wildlife at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/. Consider adopting a new pet, when you’re ready, from an animal shelter or rescue group like the Peoria County Animal Protection Services. We have many terrific domestic pets looking for “forever homes.” Come visit us today! Contact Peoria County Animal Protection Services at 309-672-2440.
Written by Lauren Malmberg, Former Director: Peoria County Animal Protection Services
Photo credit: KimberlyDeprey/iStock