1) Do not encourage wildlife to view your home as a
food source by leaving garbage or pet food outside or leaving shed or garage
doors open. Never encourage wildlife to eat from your hand. This causes
them to lose their fear of humans.
2) Do not “kidnap” baby animals. If you
see a young animal by itself, it is most likely not orphaned, but rather the
mother is nearby looking for food. If you aren’t sure if it should be rescued,
leave the animal where it is and call a rehabber.
3) Obey speed limits and keep an eye out for animals
crossing the road or on the side of the road. Many animals, such as vultures
and opossums are hit by cars while snacking on roadkIll.
4) Dispose of your garbage properly and pick up
garbage you see outside. Don’t throw garbage – even food – out of car
windows. Although foods like apple cores do biodegrade, they attract mice
and other critters to the side of the road. Many a hawk or owl have been
hit by cars as they dive for the mouse that is eating at the road-side
buffet.
5) Use non-toxic alternatives to pesticides,
rodenticides, and herbicides. Toxic chemicals affect the whole food chain –
insects, mammals, songbirds, and birds of prey. The aphids that eat the roses
that have been treated with pesticides become deadly to the hummingbirds that
eat them in the spring. The mouse that is poisoned with rodenticide makes
a toxic meal for the owl that catches it before it dies.
6) Place bird feeders a safe distance from windows and
neighborhood cats. Disinfect seed feeders at least once a month and hummingbird
feeders every few days (especially when it is hot). Dispose of moldy or
contaminated seed. Keep the ground under feeders clean of debris.
7) Animal-proof your home before animals
move in. Close off openings to attics; seal holes around the basement, screen
vents, and gutters; and install chimney caps. Keep branches pruned on any tree
near the sides or roof of your home. Check at least once a year for any area
needing repairs such as your attic, chimney, exhaust vents, eaves, and
overhangs which animals could enter. Check for nests before cutting down trees
or cleaning your chimney in the spring or summer. If an animal does enter your
house, do not trap it, especially during baby season. Call a humane wildlife
removal service or a rehabber for advice.
8) Keep domestic pets inside or on a leash when
outside. It only takes a second for a cat or dog to injure wildlife. An
altercation with a wild animal can also injure your pet or, in some cases, may
mean that your pet will have to be quarantined.
9) Before mowing in the spring and summer, check for
grassy mounds or disturbed areas which are the signs of a rabbit nest.
10) Enjoy nature responsibly. Plastic bags and other
human garbage are often fatal to wildlife. If you brought it into
nature, please take it back out with you.
