When hurricane Ike hit Houston, several squirrels drowned and many more were left half dead on the streets and lawns. These were rounded up and many were sent to Austin and other cities nearby to be nursed back to health.
Several of them had already returned to Houston when we went there last weekend, but we got to feed the dozen or so that were still there. They were squirming, hungry little babies - impatient and demanding! Even after we got the milk syringe into their mouths, they wouldn't stop squirming - so in all that hurry, I could only get these partially-in-focus photographs!
Little vibrating squirrel feet, as they suck on the milk syringe on the other end!
When we went in today, all the Houston squirrels had left. I wish now, that we had gone over there earlier. But there are lots of other little creatures in need of help, so it was still very exciting.
This tiny little duck was jumpy and lonely, and after he was done wandering around, he went back into his enclosure where he cuddled up with a teddy bear!
There were a bunch of baby raccoons as well, curious little things with the softest little paws.
This little skunk was blind and deaf - he stayed in an outdoor enclosure during the day and went home with one of the girls at night. He had rough, but very beautiful hair, and was happy to be picked up and held.
When we went in today, there were a few new additions - a baby chicken, which couldn't stand being alone! He would follow everyone around and stay very close to people. Can't imagine how factory farms have the heart to torture these adorable and friendly little things!
There were three tiny kittens today too - only a couple of weeks old. They had been left outside the rescue center in a box - no mom in sight. They were so tiny! They chewed on my hand incessantly, but barely had teeth so it just tickled. We fed them milk through miniature bottles. I forgot my camera today, so didn't get any pictures of these, or the injured hawk and pigeon that also arrived.
This is so much fun. Now I look forward to Sundays for a whole new reason!
14 comments:
wonderful! Great picture of the racoon too! I am going in tomorrow at 8 AM to the Houston Wildlife Rehab... maybe the ones you are speaking about will be back and getting ready for a soft release. It is just so amazing to me that we have been linked through them!
what great pictures.
The squirrel is sooo cute.
So fun! I love creatures of all kinds. What a great thing to do - volunteering like that. You have inspired me to find something similar here. Great photos.
Sydney - thanks! It is amazing that we may have fed the same squirrels. They really are adorable.
Blu - thanks! :)
Chris - he is, isn't he? They were all small babies.
Karine - it's the best experience ever. I hope you find a place there to volunteer!
what a grand deed and experience :)
will show this to my kids
hey binde!
That sounds great!
Hey, I rifled thru my biblio, but couldn't find any relevant lit, so let me know if you are still looking for literature for the paper...
How wonderful!!! And how good of you to donate your time to these dear creatures. I will look forward to Sundays now too so I can check in to see what you are doing.
megha - hope your kids enjoy it too! :)
giri - will email you - I still haven't seriously looked for papers!
robyn - thanks. Sundays are looking good right now! :)
Love the pictures and the one of the skunk is amazing. You can tell you have a heart for the disadvantaged. Thanks for being there when they need you. Between you and Sydney, I'm mesmerized.
I went in to the Houston Wildlife Rehab and Education Center Monday, expecting to see all the little ones from Austin returning and the ladies who run that place said they didn't expect to get them back from Austin this soon. Had no idea what I was talking about. Maybe there is a chance you can go back and do it again this Sunday after all?
meb - thank you. :) Never thought I'd get to touch a skunk, but that one was so tame!
Sydney - I hope I'll see them again here then! One thought is that maybe they went home with some local rehab volunteers who are certified to take them home to care for them ... I remember the girls at the center said that many animals go home with people who have the space set up for fostering animals ...
OMG! they r soooo adorable... :)
Thank you so much for your rescue work! what a treat to find you through Karine's blog! beautiful photos and I love your stories!
happy holidays from a fellow texas rescuer/blogger...
Post a Comment