As of November 2021, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital (RBVH) will no longer be able to accept any wildlife (including newborns), or act as a drop site for other organizations. Due to the volume of wildlife, potential staff risks, and the increase in medical caseloads, we must prioritize care of our sick and injured hospitalized pets.
It is not uncommon to find wildlife in your yard. In New Jersey, we typically encounter birds, rabbits/baby bunnies, raccoons, squirrels, deer/fawns, skunks, opossums, groundhogs, chipmunks, fox, ducks, geese, gulls, turtles, and bats. While your instinct may be to immediately try and help an injured animal, the first thing to consider is your safety. Animals that are stressed or fearful may become defensive or aggressive. In addition, wild animals can be carriers of diseases that can be transmitted to humans including rabies. Precautions should be taken to ensure you and your family members do not get injured (bitten or scratched).
Additional Resources
For more information on what to do if you find healthy or injured wildlife, please refer to the websites below.
The Benefits of Microchipping
In the event that your pet becomes lost, microchipping is a safe and permanent identification system to help reunite you and your pet even faster. Both dogs and cats can be microchipped, and no anesthetic is required.
Your pet’s veterinarian simply injects a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice (12mm), under the surface of your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The process only takes a few seconds and can be performed during a routine office visit.
The microchip is read by passing a microchip scanner over a pet’s shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency that transmits the microchip’s unique cat or dog identification code associated with a pet.
If your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, they will scan the microchip. As long as you keep your contact information updated with the manufacturer of the microchip used in your pet, you will be contacted and reunited with your pet.
OTher Forms of Pet Identification
If microchipping is not an option for you and your pet, be sure that your pet wears an identification tag at all times. You never know when your pet may escape through an open door or a broken fence.
