Care of the Wild: First Aid for All Wild Creatures

It's true, there's a euthanasia section. It constitutes two pages of a 225-page book. Anyone not comfortable with the methods listed is free to have a veterinarian euthanize the animal instead, if need be. (Of course, putting the poor dying creature in a car and driving it to a loud, high-traffic building that reeks of people, dogs and cats may be more stressful for it, but if you can't bring yourself to break an animal's neck quickly and humanely, you probably care less about its feelings than yours.) One thing I admire about this book is the authors' willingness to admit when they have little or no experience with a species. I trust them. When they do have experience, they share it: instructions on the safe capture, care, feeding, administration of first aid, and release of animals from waterfowl to deer to foxes are well-covered. The "Wildlife and the Law" and "Wildlife Rehabiliatation Centers" sections are proabably way out of date by now (my edition is dated 1983), but this is an excellent primer.

This book is FILLED with useful advice on how to care for wild creatures. It takes a no nonsense approach to capturing, handling, feeding and caring for orphaned or injured wild animals. Perhaps the previous reviewer couldn't handle the candor with which the authors deal with the reality that some animals in some circumstances can't be helped, but if you can and are interested in effectively helping animals that are in trouble, this book's for you.