South Jersey’s wildlife is adorable and beautiful, but they can also run into danger. If you want to help an injured animal, make sure you do it properly with these tips from our friends at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.
Be cautious, all mammals can carry rabies, though some are considered rabies vectors (raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, bat, groundhog, muskrat and beaver), and you should practice extreme caution when handling them. And animals are even more defensive when scared or injured.
- Have a box or carrier ready, and line the container with a towel or sheet.
- Put on gloves to handle the animal.
- Try to coax the animal into the box or carrier. If that doesn’t work, cover the animal’s whole body with a towel or blanket and scoop them into the box or carrier.
- Once contained, keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet place.
- Do not give the animal food or water.
- If you can’t get to a wildlife hospital immediately, place the box on a heating pad set to low.
Contact Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge at 856-983-3329, ext. 107, for species-specific advice.
