Wildlife Rehabilitation Program

OUR WISH LIST!

All donations are tax deductible!

wild bird seed (needed badly)
Science Diet dry cat food
Hills A/D, 51/2 oz. can
KMR kitten formula - powdered  (needed badly)
Esbilac puppy formula - powdered
Stage Two baby food in jars - chicken & gravy
Purina Hi Pro dog food
cracked and whole corn
ferret feed - duck feed  - rabbit pellets - acorns
Avamin - Lactobacilus
pine shavings (no cedar or treated)
unflavored oral electrolyte drink - such as Pedialyte
 green plastic berry baskets
laundry detergent (needed badly)
paper towels  - facial tissues (needed badly)
receiving blankets - flannel or towels without loops
newspaper (black and white pages only) - kitten food
plastic lids to be used for small dishes - from coffee jars
12 foot and longer 4x4's - roofing materials
wolmanized plywood - 1/2" regular plywood
 good golf cart - rakes and shovels - dog dishes
 shallow litter pans -  medical supplies - freezer bags
10 gallon aquariums with lids - hamster water bottles - disposable
gloves - laundry detergent - bleach - VG receipts and CASH!

WE NEED FUNDS FOR AN 80' FLIGHT PEN.
This cage is needed to train juvenile birds-of-prey to fly and hunt and to recondition injured birds-of-prey.  This cage would divide in half to become two 40-foot enclosures when needed. We could also use donations of supplies such as: wolmanized plywood, 1/2 inch regular plywood, 4X4's that are at least twelve feet long,
2X4's and roofing materials. $8,000 is required to complete this structure. To make a tax-deductible donation toward the flight pen, call 517-548-5530 or send contributions to HNC, Attn: Fund for Flight Pen, 1005 Triangle Lake Road, MI 48843.

Guiding Principle

The Howell Nature Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wild animals. Our goals are:

• To rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife in order to return physically and socially healthy birds, mammals, and reptiles to their natural environment.

• To educate the public about the wild animals that share our world.

Services

• The Nature Center acts as a wild animal clinic, helping injured and orphaned animals return to the wild.

• We provide telephone advice to people who have problems with nuisance animals or who have questions about wildlife. We DO NOT provide a nuisance animal removal service.

• We train individuals who are interested in wildlife rehabilitation and can volunteer at the Nature Center.

• We offer educational programs on urban wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation to local civic organizations and school groups.

• Animals that are suffering and cannot be rehabilitated are humanely euthanized by a veterinary service.

• WE DO NOT TAKE IN BATS, SKUNKS, STARLINGS, RACCOONS, PIGEONS, OR HOUSE SPARROWS.

• To help with identification of Starlings and House Sparrows, go to the internet and type either "Infant Starling" or "House Sparrows" in a search engine. You will find many websites with photos of these birds. We have found two good websites for you to refer to. www.starlingtalk.com and www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/HOUSPA/.

                  This is an infant Starling. Please notice the beak. It is very  yellow and the lower part of beak is wider then the upper part of the beak. No other songbird has a beak like this.
 . 

General Information

• The Nature Center cares for over 2000 animals yearly.
• The Wildlife program is supported by the efforts of many dedicated volunteers.
• The Center is owned and operated by the Presbytery of Detroit, the administrative unit for the Presbyterian Churches in Southern Lower Michigan.
• To our knowledge, we are the only church-supported rehabilitation center in the country.
• Funding comes from contributions by individuals who care about wildlife.
• The Nature Center is licensed by the Federal and State governments but is not funded by any governmental agency.
• Infirmary phone number is 517-548-5530

A Wild Animal Needs Assistance If:

• An adult animal can be captured easily.

• It seriously favors a leg.

• It sits on the road, not moving for traffic.

• It is bleeding.

• It is having difficulty breathing or is convulsing.

• A bird sits with its feathers puffed and does not move for a long period of time.

• A bird has even a slightly drooping wing.

• A bird runs on the ground when others fly away.

What You Can Do:

• Call the Nature Center if you're not sure an animal needs your help.
  CALL FOR ADVICE!

• In most cases, LEAVE BABY ANIMALS ALONE!

• If in need of assistance, put an injured or orphaned animal in a cardboard box large enough to hold the animal comfortably, but small enough to restrict large movement.

• Keep the animal in a WARM, DARK, QUIET place until you can transport it.

• Transport the animal to the Nature Center as soon as you can; at least within 48 hours.

• Call before feeding as many animals need to be re-hydrated before feeding.
  517-548-5530
   

Remember:

• The stress of capture by humans is a significant cause of death in captive wildlife.

• Protect yourself from teeth, claws, and talons.

• Feathers and bones are fragile; handle wild animals firmly, but gently.

Tips About Wildlife

• It is ILLEGAL to keep most species of wildlife without state and federal permits.

• Wild animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

• Knowledge of proper diet, housing, and handling is essential to their
  well-being.

• Many wild animals carry parasites and diseases.

• It is cruel to cage and make pets of any wild animal.

• Most birds have almost no sense of smell so replacing a "nestling" (an infant bird) into a nest is the best help you can give.

• If a whole nest falls down, wire it back in the tree as close as you can to the original position.

• "Teenage" birds or "fledglings" are fully feathered but fly poorly and are easily approached. This is a normal stage of growth: LEAVE THEM ALONE. The parent is nearby, but out of sight.

• Wild babies only need help if they appear to be dehydrated or emaciated - sunken eyes, dull coat, listless or injured.

WE NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT

Many items are needed to benefit (directly or indirectly) injured and orphaned wild animals. If you are interested in donating new or used items, please contact the Howell Nature Center at 517-548-5530 to see if there is a current need for your items.

Volunteers are our most important asset. Volunteering your time or professional skills keeps us going. If you would like to join a dynamic, enthusiastic corps of volunteers, contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more information at 517-552-3363.

Providing the many services available from the Nature Center takes a great deal of time, effort, and money. Community support is an integral part of our program since we are a non-profit organization. We depend on your support.