If you are driving around and see what appears to be an abandoned animal, it can be tempting to pick it up and bring it home, but officials are warning against this action. As Jennifer Kleinpeter, Founder and Executive Director of Big Country Wildlife, explains, many people do not realize the potential harm they can cause by intervening in the natural behavior of wildlife.

• They may be unaware of the laws and regulations governing wildlife rehabilitation in their area.
• They may not have the necessary training and equipment to provide proper care for the animal.
• They may be introducing disease processes into the animal by bringing it inside, which can be detrimental to its health.

Kleinpeter emphasizes the importance of first contacting a local wildlife rehabilitation center before taking any action. “Many people don’t know and they want to do what’s right,” she said. “They feel the right thing is to pick up the animal and bring it inside because that’s just our nature. We want to provide that nurture and care to an innocent animal, but we could be causing more harm than good and then we’re also introducing disease processes by bringing the animal inside.”
If you do need to move an animal to a safe location, Kleinpeter advises wearing gloves, using a towel, and containing it. However, this should only be done if the animal is in a dangerous location and cannot be safely left alone. She also stresses the importance of contacting a local wildlife rehabilitation center to ensure the animal receives proper care.

• Many animals that come to our organization are the result of a vehicular accident or a dog attack.
• The animals often suffer from injuries that require specialized care and equipment.
• The rehabilitation process can be lengthy and requires a lot of resources.

Kleinpeter highlights the dangers of social media and the impact it has on wildlife rehabilitation. “We do see all those cute videos on TikTok, but we also see those sad stories on TikTok where these animals are confiscated by the game wardens in that state,” she said. “It sounds cruel, but unfortunately in many states, it is illegal to have these animals as pets and to raise.”
Despite the challenges, Kleinpeter’s goal is to get any animal that comes into their care back into the wild as soon as possible. However, sometimes this is not possible due to injuries or health issues. In these cases, the animal is provided with a suitable enclosure or outdoor space to live out its remaining days. A Real-Life Example
The Virginia opossum at Big Country Wildlife is a prime example of the complex care required for wildlife. The opossum was stuck in a fence and had a compound fracture to her leg. She had babies in her pouch, and the mother had to have her leg amputated. The babies that survived were pulled off and cared for, but the mother was unable to be released due to her injury. She was provided with a large outdoor pen where she could live out her remaining days.

• She is now a surrogate mother to 30 other opossums, who are juveniles and eating on their own.
• Her original babies have returned to her and are staying in her pouch.
• The opossum’s story is a testament to the power of rehabilitation and the importance of providing suitable care for wildlife.

If you find an animal in need of assistance, do not attempt to handle it or bring it home. Instead, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or animal control service to ensure the animal receives proper care.

The next time you see an animal in need of help, remember that the best course of action is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. By doing so, you can ensure that the animal receives the proper care and attention it needs to thrive.

“The game warden came to our facility and said, ‘We can’t take this opossum, it’s not our facility, but we can’t leave it either.’ We said, ‘What are you going to do?’ And he said, ‘We’ll just have to find another facility that can take it.’ I said, ‘That’s what we’re here for,’ and we took it in and provided it with the care it needed.”

Jennifer Kleinpeter’s dedication to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation is an inspiration to many. Her organization, Big Country Wildlife, is a testament to the importance of providing proper care and attention to wildlife in need. By supporting local wildlife rehabilitation centers, we can help ensure that animals like the Virginia opossum receive the care they deserve.

• Supporting local wildlife rehabilitation centers can help ensure that animals receive proper care and attention.
• By providing suitable enclosures and outdoor spaces, we can help animals like the Virginia opossum live out their remaining days comfortably.
• Local wildlife rehabilitation centers play a vital role in the conservation and rehabilitation of wildlife, and it’s essential that we support them.

If you are ever in a situation where you need to find a local wildlife rehabilitation center, you can search online or check with your local animal control service for recommendations. By taking the right course of action and contacting a local wildlife rehabilitation center, you can help ensure that animals like the Virginia opossum receive the care they need to thrive.