Animal Rescue

According to the Humane Society of the United States, the exotic pet market generates about $15 billion a year. Many people purchasing these unusual animals are unable to properly care for them. For the safety of animals and human beings now more susceptible to a possible mauling or potential disease, further laws need to be enacted and enforced. Until then, there are several ways to help rescue an animal held in an abusive captivity situation or found injured in the wild.

Contact your local clerk office for guidelines on how to proceed. Federal laws only apply to interstate commerce and import/export trade of certain species. See the Animal Welfare Act and Captive Wildlife Safety Act for more details. Local laws vary by state and can be found at United with Animal Protection Institute. International contacts are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and at International Wildlife Rehabilitator Contacts.

The local police may be able to provide assistance, but keep in mind some jurisdictions permit officers to shoot an animal they deem too dangerous or vicious to catch.

Speak with someone at animal control. These facilities are not always equipped to take every species of animal. If not prepared, they will often direct you to another organization.

Humane societies and zoos can also provide valuable suggestions on how to keep you and the animal safe until assistance arrives or an alternative plan can be implemented.

Purchase a Havahart trap for about $50. Be sure to provide the animal with water and only briefly trap for transport.

The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) is also an effective resource. The site may be searched for organizations in your neighborhood. It also provides advice on knowing when to act on behalf of an animal. What constitutes an emergency? IWRC lists 16 instances when action should be taken immediately to rescue an animal a few of which are bleeding profusely, gunshot wound and stuck on a glue trap.

In emergency situations, locate a wildlife rehabilitator. Searches can be done at websites, such as IWRC and National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. A state's wildlife agency, an Audubon Society, the Coast Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service groups may also be contacted for advice.

What to do if waiting for a response back from one of those organizations. Visit Progressive Animal Welfare Society's (PAWS People Helping Animals) link that guides people on how to appropriately and safely rescue different types of species depending on the situation.

Last but not least - educate. Volunteer your time and/or money towards educating people about preserving wildlife and showing compassion towards all creatures. Educate not just those in your community but the government too. Write letters and get petitions signed for further protection of animals. Rescue animals by being a compassionate person who takes action. Every person's efforts and every animal's life counts.

"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men."
~Alice Walker