With wildlife rehabilitation, success means the animal was able to be rehabilitated enough to be released into the wild.  Sometimes this is a simple task, sometimes complex.

The owlets pictured above in the first picture, for example, were hand reared at the clinic for the first week or so, then had to be taken to Kansas City to a long term rehabilitation center.  They cannot ever see a human once their eyes are opened.  Eventually they were successfully released.

Often, a stunned bird just needs a little rest and a little glucose, and they are right back in action!  We have successfully resuscitated several hummingbirds that have flown into windows or other obstacles.  They are in and out in a 15 minutes.  We are always amazed at how fine their feathers are; you can barely feel them between your fingers!

Rehabilitation would be impossible without the assistance of our dedicated staff.  They sometimes go to great and unsung lengths to save an animal brought in, and many would simply not make it without their efforts. 

If you find injured wildlife, the first thing to do is prevent injury to yourself.  Call us for advice, or contact your animal control officer or conservatoin agent.  They know how to contact us should they need our help.  When we are presented with an animal, a thorough medical examination is performed, including x-rays and bloodwork if indicated, and then a plan is decided upon.

Some cases are able to be saved, yet with others, the injuries or illness are such that euthanasia is the only humane option.  We do our best to make the best decision for the animal, despite emotions. 

When you bring a bird or mammal to the clinic, you will be asked for your name and contact information.  We will also need some particulars about where you found the creature.  We will be happy to contact you after disposition of the animal to let you know what happened, but you must b patient.  Contacting you is our last priority; care of our patients come first, so please be patient.  You may not hear back for several days.

While mammals and non-migratory birds can be treated and rehabilitated here, migratory birds, by law, can only be examined and given initial treatment.  If they can be readily re-released, then we re-release them.  If they need extensive rehabilitation, then they have to be either euthanized or sent to Kansas City or St. Louis, or another licensed migratory rehab center, for rehabilitation.  This is the law.  If transportation cannot be found, and often our own staff can provide the transportation, then euthanasia is the only option.

Many raptors presented for care may look fine to a lay person, but have extensive injuries or other health problems that make them a poor candidate for rehabilitation.  Laypersons and even untrained health care personnel are not able to properly evaluate wildlife for rehabilitation potential.  Dr. Leavens has extensive training and experience and is skilled at evaluating animals for rehabilitation potential.  If an animal cannot be rehabilitated, then his oath requires him to relieve suffering by euthanasia.

Some persons may become emotional when informed of such decisions, but rest assured that the best interests of the animal are paramount.  We cannot release an wild animal to an unlicensed individual.  Wild animals NEVER make good pets and this is not an option for a wild animal.  It is also illegal in most cases.