B: It is a never-ending battle of SCWC vs. Eastern Grey squirrels and alas, dear readers, we are losing. More babies have arrived and they keep arriving every day. While we have come to grips with the spring squirrel season, we were very surprised with the intake of three two-week old raccoons. Not just early, but six weeks early!

A: Though we have managed to find some lovely fellow rehabber who is happy to take over the care of the raccoons, it looks like we're stuck with the invading army that is the baby squirrels. So far, we've ceded the Front Room to them but instead of being happy with that, they are now infiltrating the Exam Room. Armed only with our syringes filled with formula, our defense is weak and we are losing precious ground...

B: And just when we thought we were safe from any more squirrels under two weeks of age, two tiny babies arrive at our door, barely covered in short fuzz. These babies will be spending the next couple of nights on a heating pad in my kitchen so they can receive their midnight and four am feedings.

A: Our battle has also recently gained a new front- that of the baby bunnies. A fearsome contender, they require gavage feeding (feeding using a tube) twice a day. This method requires a highly skilled hand and is necessary because of the extremely high stress-level of rabbits and the fact that we average about 700 baby rabbits a year. After they receive 10% of their body weight in formula, they settle down to ferment their food over several hours. To put it more bluntly, they turn their food into a type of curd and feed off of that internally. Yummy. Lucky for us these babies only stay with us for a few weeks (on average) but sadly, the onslaught of new babies is regular and seemingly without end.

B: We have found that the only wildlife myth that is true is the one that refers to rabbits and their breeding capabilities. Starting in March, mother Cottontail births a litter of four to six babies and nurses them two to three times a day for three to four weeks. When the young are four weeks-old, they are the size of a fluffy tennis ball and are mostly on their own. Using this method of quick gestation and quick weaning, mom can raise up to eight litters of young cottontails a year. Lucky for us, Clinic Supervisor Polly does extremely well raising young rabbits and the rest of the staff can breathe a little easier.

A: Beside our on-going battle(s), we've also been very busy caring for our intensive care patients which include an American Kestrel who suffered from a confrontation with a hard surface (otherwise known as impact trauma). Her right eye was severely swollen and infected upon admission and she was barely able to stand for a few days. After a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, she's feeling much better, now able to stand, perch and run. Though we have to continue to force-feed her (as she is still reluctant to accept our food), we have high hopes for her now.

B: Adult Mallards have also been trickling in, also suffering from impact trauma injuries, though their's were caused by cars. As Mallards are now searching for (what they deem as) appropriate nesting sites, their conflicts with humans are on the rise. Today I admitted a Mallard hybrid duck; she has the feather pattern and quack of a Mallard, but is only eight weeks-old and most likely some sort of hatching project baby. We here at SCWC frown upon the hatching projects that many schools and parents engage in because this teaches young children that when you have an animal you cannot care for, you can just dump it on your local rehabilitator or farm animal sanctuary. Not very responsible, in my eyes...

A: I also tend to believe that there are better ways to celebrate Easter than by hatching and improperly raising an innocent animal, who may very well suffer for the rest of their lives. Many bird babies that are hatched and raised by laypersons end up with permanent congenital defects or dietary deficiencies, which will plague them for as long as they live. Please remember that animals are not toys or entertainment- though you may not have to suffer any consequences for your actions, the animal will on your behalf.

B: There are plenty of books that explain the process of life; no need to ruin an actual life to learn about it. My eight week-old hybrid is has most of her feathers except her wing feathers. So, dumping her in the wild was not the best idea as she cannot escape any predator. Luckily, our local Humane Society was able to pick her up and bring her to us so that we can raise her properly until her wing feathers have grown in and she can fly like she needs to.

A: Well, it looks like the next squirrel feeding is upon us and we must once again pick up our arms. We'll keep fighting the good fight here- and your support makes it all the more worthwhile. Go out there in this lovely spring weather and enjoy your local wildlife...

B: ... from a distance! Make sure you give mom enough time to rescue her own babies before you step in. Keep your cats inside and your dogs on their leashes. Support your local wildlife rehabilitation center and check back next week for more stories and more babies.