Stuffed Animals

The job of a wildlife rehabilitator involves a variety of tasks and limiting it to just a few paid tasks demeans the spirit of love and care for animals. To understand the job of a wildlife rehabilitator, one must have a drive for self-less service towards animals and wildlife. A wildlife rehabilitator salary is for those who work on a paid basis. For all the rest that work voluntarily, it is the joy of service that motivates them for work. The wildlife rehabilitator job description is as follows.
•Feeding and bathing baby birds and animals.
•Helping the veterinarian in imparting fluid therapy to the diseased animals.
•Bandaging the animals in the case of hurt animals (accidents, hunting, animal abuse).
•Supervising, guiding and instructing the paid or voluntary workers.
•Maintaining a regular database, about the health, food and other factors that help in tracking the growth of the animals.
•Capturing and transporting injured wild animals.
•Spreading awareness about wild animals like snakes, that are generally killed on sight, in case they are found in the vicinity of villages and areas close to the villages.
•Talking to concerned citizens and similar thinking people, and making a team for improving the conditions of wild animals.
Wildlife Rehabilitator Requirements
Though no degree or qualification is essential for becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, except a heart that cries every time an animal is in pain, still, as every profession demands skills and knowledge, some NGO’s and firms prefer people with a degree in animal anatomy, zoology, biology and other life sciences. Basically, the idea is that the worker must have basic knowledge of animals and their living styles. However, if you don’t have any such degree then it’s not a matter of concern, as the passion to make some real difference in the life of animals is more important than any of the degrees.

One should know that almost all birds and wildlife are protected by strict laws. To work with mammals, reptiles and amphibians, it is expected that the agencies or organizations hiring wildlife rehabilitators get a permission from the state wildlife agencies. The state agencies test the wildlife rehabilitators as per their standards in specialized training, with written and oral exams, before giving the permits. Only by receiving an adequate permission can a wildlife rehabilitator work with full authority. Read more on animal rehabilitation services.. Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of years ago, my beloved cat accidentally got out of the house and ended up being a victim of antifreeze poisoning. Although it was never clear whether the poisoning was deliberate or accidental, his tragic death was needless and preventable.

Even the best-fed pets tend to rummage through garbage if given the opportunity. Dogs may chew on empty or partially empty containers. It’s in their nature just as young children are curious and may tend to explore low area cabinets such as under the sink where household cleaners may be stored. We can’t always protect our children and pets from every danger they may encounter but we can take measures toward poison prevention.

Don’t store household cleaning products, insecticides or other chemicals on low shelves or anywhere that young children may be able to reach. Don’t leave cleaning products setting out where children can get their hands on them, even when you are using them. In the time it takes to answer the phone or door an accident can happen. Always make sure that all lids are tightly secure.

Don’t use any type of rodent poison in an area where children may play or any place that is accessible to the family pets. The same precautions should be applied when using rat or mousetraps. Curious little fingers and paws could sustain injury. Be careful when letting pets outside. Neighbors may use chemicals around their homes to ward off rodents or in their gardens. Unsuspecting pets that are out for a stroll could become victims of such poisons. Try to keep cats indoors and walk your dog rather than letting them out by themselves. Automotive products such as antifreeze are deadly to pets. If containers are left outside or a vehicle is leaking such a product, an animal could be drawn to the harmful mixture. Be careful not to leave such items open in a garage or basement. If you keep your vehicle inside a garage that pets have access to, make sure you keep it maintained and check often for leaks or other hazards.

Medications and even some beauty products can be hazardous as well. Always be sure to keep medicines out of reach. Keep them on a high shelf, in a medicine cabinet or somewhere safe from small hands. Many medications now come with childproof caps that help to prevent accidental poisoning. They work rather well considering that sometimes adults have difficulty opening them.

Although Poison Prevention Month is all about preventing poisoning you should be prepared and know how to react in the event poisoning does occur. It may be difficult but try to remain calm. Call the Poison Control Center and get assistance. If the container is available or you know what the substance is, describe the type of poison that was ingested. Let the center know if you have any idea how much of the poison was consumed. Stay on the phone and listen carefully because you will be instructed how to proceed. Don’t give a child any water, milk or any other substance to dilute the poison or induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center. Although in some cases, such an action may be beneficial, depending on the type of poison, it could actually do more harm. Read the rest of this entry »

The only sad thing about hamsters is that they live only up to 1000-1100 days (i.e. about 1-3.5 years), which can be a real heartbreaking thing for children. But few people think it as an opportunity for children to understand and learn the responsibilities and other important things in life.

Types of Hamsters
There are mainly three type of hamsters found:Syrian Hamsters: This type of hamsters are also called black bear hamster, golden hamster, teddy bear hamster, fancy hamster etc. Syrian hamsters are generally golden brown colored with dark colored markings on parts like jaws, cheeks etc. of their body. Syrian hamsters are the largest in all the type of hamsters and are very easy to tame and take care of, which make them most commonly accepted hamster as a pet. They grow about 6-8 inches in length, and their lifespan is around 2 to 3 years. Syrian hamsters are strongly territorial animals and cannot tolerate presence of other hamsters in their territory, which makes it very important to keep them alone in a cage/home. Syrian hamsters are mainly nocturnal and are quite active from the early hours in evening and night.
Dwarf Hamsters: They are also called Campbell’s Russian Hamsters, Winter White Russian Hamsters, Roborovski Hamsters. Dwarf Campbell’s Russian Hamsters are the most common type of hamsters people like to keep as pet. They grow about 4-5 inches in length and have almost same lifespan as other type of hamsters. Dwarf hamsters prove to be good mates for hamsters of the same species rather than of other species (given they are introduced to each other from young age).
Chinese Hamsters: These type of hamsters are often misinterpreted to be Dwarf Hamsters as they exhibit similar physical characteristics as of Dwarf Hamsters but they are actually different. They grow same in length as Dwarf Hamsters, and have lifespan of about 2.5 to 3 years. Chinese Hamsters are also nocturnal but are not as lazy as Syrian hamsters during day time. Female Chinese hamsters generally are not comfortable with the other hamsters and so should be kept alone or with the hamster they get along easily.
Ideal Homes for Hamster:
Consider what will happen if you are confined in a very small place with no room for you to at least walk through it? You will surely get frustrated and would wish to get out of the place as soon as possible. Same is true with hamsters. The first and the most important thing to take into consideration is that house for hamster should be as large as possible, with a proper, dry and hygienic bedding. It is found that if hamster is not allowed to exercise (play around and run throughout the home), there is a high risk of his/her getting paralyzed, so you should consider buying/building a home for hamster that is enough to allow it run through, it should have a running wheel (hamsters really love it and cover up to few miles of running using it everyday).

You should avoid choosing a wooden house for hamsters as it cannot withstand their sharp teeth and you might one day end up having your pet lost. Now a day, there are many varieties of cages/homes available in market like simple wire cages, large cages with beddings, wheels and tunnels (add on habitat homes) for your hamster to play, glass/plexi aquarium homes etc., while choosing one out of these all you need to understand is how happy your pet hamster will be in the new home. Inside the cage there should be (as already mentioned) plenty of space available for your pet hamster to play, there should be a small metal plate where you can keep food, a small metal bowl or a bottle for water and some space for hamster’s bedding. If you are willing to allow your hamster be his/her own home decorator then you can provide him/her with some tissue papers (chemical-less or non-scented), straws, dry grass etc. Your hamster will love to make his/her own bedding. Read the rest of this entry »