MI Wildlife Rehab Seminar

1

 why are proper caging and enclosures important?

What factors come to mind when you think about how to contain a patient in your care? 

Cages should be...

Spacious

Hygienic

Safe

Species appropriate 

Full of enrichment

But, why?

We owe it to our wildlife to provide them an environment they can thrive in. 

They are already in a precarious situation if they are in our care. It is not natural for wildlife to be contained. Therefore, their living space for the time they are enclosed, should prepare them for release. 

DNR protoCol

The DNR has their own guidelines. We will review them, however, these are MINIMAL requirements. Your permitter and your experienced wildlife rehabber colleagues will have more detailed insight into what they want to see when they inspect your enclosures. 

Raccoon Enclosures:

  • Raccoons beyond bottle babies: At least one raccoon should have an 8ft X 6ft X 6 feet high. 

  • For every additional raccoon, there should be an additional 24 square feet added. 

  • A 10x10X 6 feet high enclosure has been traditionally enforced for raccoons. 

  • "Clawing logs" should be added to each enclosure for each animal. They should be 2ft X2ft high in a "den area" of the enclosure.

  • A climbing tree shall be in every enclosure measuring 3 or more 4-inch diameter branches. 

  • Platforms shall be placed at least 3 feet above the floor for raccoons. This is called a "protected shelf area" and should be at least 14x36 inches. 

Squirrel Enclosures  

Enclosure size for a single: 4X4 ft X 8 feet high 

Cage size should increase by 1 square ft for each additional animal. 

One nest box elevated off the ground by 5ft and three or more 3 inch branches. 

Possum enclosures are very similar to that of raccoons 


International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Recommends a 12x18x6ft tall enclosure for 7 raccoons 

Cages should not be touching or should have a barrier between them

Labeling

36" L X 25" W X 38.5" H 

Common cages used for quarantine, small mammals and those that are injured are Critter Nation, Ferret Nation and similar. CN has 1.5 inch spacing, while FN has 1 inch spacing between bars. These are convenient if you plan on taking various sized mammals. 

Dog Crates with bigger spacing (usually 1.5 inches) 

These can be convenient and econonomical. They range from 27 inches to 54 inches. Remember to always use the cage that is a appropriate for an animal that is growing! You should also consider that adding a more animals usually means you need a bigger cage! 

Outdoor Kennels; ideal for medium sized mammals, like raccoons. 

If you plan on having a mammal license (beyond bottle babies) you will need a large, outdoor enclosure with plenty of space to climb, eat and eliminate waste.  

The universal consensus among rehabbers and authorities 

Caging material must not be corroded or broken.

Proper locking should ensure that animals in your care cannot escape. 

Caging must be disinfected and free of parasites.

Shelter from the elements, such as rain, snow and heat are required for outdoor enclosures. 

Comingling of different species of wildlife is NEVER acceptable. 

Use "common sense" applications to housing wildlife. 
Enrich me, Baby!

What is Enrichment and why is it important? 

Cage enrichment is particularly important for species that require mental stimulation. Whether it is a bird, fox raccoon or even a rat, animals can become restless, anxious and even depressed without toys and comforts. Even when I have neonate raccoons, I always make sure to put a stuffed animal close to them. As orphans get older, their mental acuity sharpens. This can become a challenge. But it doesn't need to be expensive. 

Do you have an old ring of keys? 

Thrift stores

boxes 

old baby toys

paper towel rolls

dog toys

Bird toys 

hammocks