STRAYS & WILDLIFE
HELPING STRAY PETS
The first goal we have for any stray pet is reuniting them with their family. If you’ve found a stray cat or dog, be prepared to do some sleuthing. People often post on sites like Facebook and Craigslist about lost or found pets; you can also call the Willamette Humane Society, Marion County Dog Control, Salem Friends of Felines, and local veterinary clinics to see if anyone has reported their pet as missing.
If you have found a stray cat or dog, approach them carefully. The animal could have experienced a trauma and if it is scared or in pain, it could attack you not because it’s aggressive, but because it’s trying to protect itself.
If the pet is injured, you can bring it to us for treatment. Use extreme caution when handling an injured animal. Wrap them in thick blankets if necessary. Smaller animals can be placed in a cardboard box or carrier if you have one.
If you’ve found a dog or cat who is not injured, we can scan them for a microchip and add information about them to our lost and found binder so that if someone calls looking for their pet, we can direct them to you.
Unfortunately, we are not able to take in stray dogs and cats unless they are in need of medical attention. Our facility does not have boarding capabilities, and once we have treated the stray cats and dogs who come to us, they are transported to the Willamette Valley Humane Society or the Marion County Dog Control Shelter.
For more information on how to help stray animals check out this article from the Humane Society of the US.
CONTACTS FOR STRAY PETS
4246 Turner Rd. SE
503-480-7729
503-585-5900
Marion County Dog Control Shelter
3550 Aumsville Hwy SE
503-588-5366
503-588-5233
980 Commercial St SE
503-362-5611
WILDLIFE
While we are able to minimally treat certain types of wildlife in extreme cases, the best thing you can do for sick or injured wildlife is to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Often the most we are able to do for a critically injured wild animal is humanely euthanize it so that it doesn’t suffer. A rehabilitator or wildlife association will be far more equipped to handle and treat these wild animals.
As it is, state law prohibits certain species of wildlife from being rehabilitated. This list includes bats, starling birds, opossums, nutria, and eastern gray squirrels among others. Legally, we cannot allow skunks, raccoons, or bats to even come in our building since these species can carry diseases and parasites that can be communicated to humans, some of which can be life-threatening.
Most animals will leave their young temporarily to forage or hunt. Removing a young animal from the wild greatly reduces its chances at long-term survival in its natural environment. Never assume an animal is orphaned unless you saw its parent die.
Remember: it is unlawful to remove an animal from the wild or hold one in captivity without a license. If you encounter sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, state police, or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to help. Oregon’s licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained and qualified to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
For information on what to do if you've found wildlife in need of care, visit these sites.
CONTACTS FOR WILDLIFE
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
503-947-6000
(800)-720-6339
1492 Bunker Hill Rd. S
503-540-8664