Letter to the Editor

Please think of the animals.

Over the last couple of weeks, several sad incidents have come to my attention. Some citizens are apparently taking in wild animal babies and trying to raise them, instead of contacting a Wildlife Rehabilitator. In New York State It is illegal for anyone to process Native wild mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians with out a valid Wildlife Rehabilitators license. Wild animals deserve to live out their birth right, free and wild out in nature, not ever kept as pets in cages.

When wild animal babies are raised by inexperienced humans, they imprint on them. This creates an animal who will have a very hard time surviving out in nature. Those who try to keep wild animals as pets, soon find out that the once cuddly baby becomes a nasty adult who bites, scratches or kicks, and they need to release them. Most will now be very ill equipped to find food and survive for very long on their own and are doomed to suffer a horrible death.

Please, before you touch any baby animal, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have as to weather or not it really needs your help. Their young innocent lives depend on you to make a good decision on their behalf.

The animals thank you, as do I.