The Wildlife Center of Virginia informs what to do to help young animals during ‘baby season’

WAYNESBORO, Va. (WRIC) — The Wildlife Center of Virginia is spreading information about when to help baby bunnies, songbirds and opossums this spring in light of “baby season.”

According to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, staff, students and volunteers at the center are experiencing the busiest time of the year — baby season.

Since Jan. 1, the center has admitted well over 1,000 individual patients. Some of the most common species seen during baby season include Virginia opossums, eastern grey squirrels, a plethora of songbirds and eastern cottontail rabbits, according to the center.

Many of these young animals are being hand-fed multiple times a day.

According to the center, cottontail rabbits have been some of the highest number of baby animals admitted, with 218 cottontails to have entered through the center’s doors to receive treatment between April 1 and May 9.

In light of baby season, the center is informing the public of the following ways to help young wild animals:

• If you see a young wild animal you believe is in danger, it’s best to first ask questions before intervening. Despite our natural inclinations, the best chance of survival for a young uninjured animal is often to leave it in its parents’ care. Use these infographics to determine when and how to best help common baby wildlife you may find in your own back yard, and visit this section of our website for more advice. Remember, feeding wildlife can often cause more harm than good.
• Help young wildlife by keeping your pet cat indoors. Free-roaming, outdoor cats are responsible for the death of billions of wild birds, mammals, and reptiles each year.
• Donate directly to the Wildlife Center of Virginia to provide formula and medications, housing, food, and more for young animals this spring through their website.