06/06/2026
⚠️Graphic Content Warning!⚠️
🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: WILDLIFE NEEDS OUR HELP — NOT OUR GOOD INTENTIONS 🚨
Today, we took in seven baby skunks in some of the worst condition we've seen.
They were covered in maggots from head to toe. They had wounds throughout their bodies. Fly eggs covered them. They were dehydrated, starving, and suffering. No animal should have to endure what these babies are enduring right now.
We cannot stress this enough:
If you find a baby wild animal and it is healthy, LEAVE IT ALONE. Mom is often nearby and caring for it.
If you find a baby wild animal that is injured, orphaned, or clearly in distress, PLEASE reach out immediately. Call a wildlife rehabilitator. Contact a rescue center. Call your local sheriff's office, police department, game warden, or animal control. Reach out to someone who can help.
Anything is better than doing nothing.
What we are seeing far too often are people keeping baby wildlife for days because they are cute, because a child or grandchild wants to hold them, or because they think they can raise them themselves. Then, when the animal becomes difficult to care for or its condition worsens, it gets brought to a rehabilitator.
By then, sometimes the damage is already done.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators have dedicated countless hours, resources, training, and personal sacrifice to properly care for these animals. Wildlife rehabilitation is not simply feeding a baby animal. It requires specialized knowledge, equipment, nutrition, medical care, and legal authorization.
In Oklahoma, it is illegal to possess, rehabilitate, or raise native wildlife without the appropriate state permits and licenses. These laws exist for a reason: to protect both the animals and the people trying to help them.
You may have the best intentions in the world. You may genuinely care. But good intentions do not replace proper training and care.
Just because you cannot see or feel an animal's suffering does not mean it is not suffering.
As a community, we have to do better.
If you see a wildlife issue, say something. If an animal needs help, reach out. If you're unsure what to do, ask.
Please do not wait until an animal is covered in maggots, starving, dehydrated, and fighting for its life before making a phone call.
These animals deserve better.
Please share this post. One phone call can save a life.
