Keepin It Wild Wildlife Rescue

04/24/2025

🌿 Welcome to Keepin’ It Wild, little ones! 🐿️💚

We’ve just welcomed two tiny baby girl squirrels into rescue after unsuccessful attempts to reunite them with their moms. The larger of the two is estimated to be about 2–3 weeks old, while the smaller pink sweetheart is freshly born—less than a week old!

At this delicate age, both babies require round-the-clock feeding and constant warmth from heating pads to survive and thrive. These little fighters have a long journey ahead, and we’re here for every step of it. 🍼💤

✨ Both girls are looking for sponsors to help support their care as they grow stronger each day.

If you’d like to be a part of their journey, consider becoming a sponsor and help us give them the second chance they deserve. 💕

04/23/2025

🌱 Nesting season is ramping up! Bluebirds and black-capped chickadees are already getting started in April, and by May, many other bird species will be at their busiest.

If you come across a baby bird, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Check out this handy graphic for what steps to take.

🪺 Remember: the best place for a baby bird is in its nest.

For more great info, visit Audubon’s guide: https://bit.ly/3HdXnX0

04/22/2025

Feeding bread causes permanent damage to ducks and geese. They develop angel wing. They can not migrate or fly to avoid predators. PLEASE DO NOT FEED BREAD to ducks and geese. Cracked corn, corn, peas, mealworms, romaine lettuce, watermelon, grapes CUT into pieces, cantaloupe……are a few good options!

04/21/2025

Bookmark this birdhouse chart! https://buff.ly/dHwB76e

From Birds and Blooms

04/20/2025

🌼 It's that time of year—let the dandelions grow! 🐝 Our pollinators need all the help they can get, and early blooms like dandelions are a vital food source for bees. If you have to mow, try to leave some patches of dandelions and wildflowers untouched. Every little bit helps these critically important creatures! 💛

04/19/2025

04/19/2025

A big THANK YOU to Amy for sponsoring Muffin, a sweet little girl squirrel from the Sioux Falls area!

She’s settling in so well — we’re so grateful for your support!

We’ve just got one little boy squirrel left who’s still looking for a sponsor and the perfect name… could it be you?

04/19/2025

🧡🐿️ It’s Baby Season—and That Includes Squirrels! 🐿️🧡
We’re already getting baby squirrel calls, so here’s what to do if you find one:

🚨 FIRST: Check for signs the baby needs urgent help:
🔹 Dehydrated (skin stays pinched)
🔹 Injured or bleeding
🔹 Cold or wet
🔹 Covered in fly eggs (look like small grains of rice)
🔹 Maggots present
🔹 Constantly vocalizing

👉 If you see ANY of the above:
Put the baby in a small box or container with soft fleece, keep it warm, and contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately. (Yes, that’s us!)

💡 If the baby appears healthy, you can try to reunite it with mom!
Squirrels are amazing mothers and will often retrieve their babies—if they’re warm and safe.

🧦 STEP 1: Keep Baby Warm
Fill a sock with 1 cup of uncooked rice or beans.
Tie a knot and microwave it for 30 seconds.
Check for hot spots, then place it under a fleece blanket in a box or small container.
Rewarm every 1–2 hours—cold babies are ignored by mom!

🐿️ STEP 2: Create a Temporary Nest
Use a small basket, tub, or jug with the top cut open.
Snuggle the baby inside with fleece.
Don’t offer food or water—it can do more harm than good!
👉 Add a phone underneath the container playing baby squirrel cries on loop (like this one):
🔗 https://youtu.be/rxr53i2lI8s

(Turn off notifications first!)

🌳 STEP 3: Reunite with Mom
Secure the container as high as possible on the tree where the baby was found.
Can’t go high? Place it at the base of the tree, but stay close to monitor for predators.
Keep the baby protected from direct sun, wind, and rain.

🔍 Watch quietly for up to 4 hours—mom usually comes at dawn or dusk.
Reheat the rice sock regularly.

🌙 No mom by sundown? Bring the baby in, keep it warm, and contact a licensed rehabber right away.

💬 Got questions? Unsure what to do? Callus—we’re always here to help.
Let’s work together to keep wild babies safe! 💚

04/19/2025

Help us welcome these four beautiful baby squirrels into rescue!

Big THANK YOU to Sharon for realizing they were in trouble after momma passed and for sponsoring their care — you're a hero!
And a shoutout to her sweet granddaughter Briar for giving them the cutest names:
Theo, Henry, Matty, and Poppy

Welcome to rescue, little ones — you're safe now!
We’re so glad you’re here!



Theo, Henry, Matty & Poppy
Welcome

04/18/2025

Found a Tiny Bunny Out Alone
A lot of people think small = baby. But rabbits grow fast! At just 3–5 weeks old, they're fully independent. 🙌

🧠 Found This? Do This:
✔️ If the bunny is hopping well, eyes open, ears up, and about the size of a tennis ball—leave it be. It’s ready to live on its own.
✔️ Only intervene if the bunny is visibly injured or you know the mother is gone.

📸 We’ll share a helpful photo guide to estimate age and independence!

04/17/2025

Raccoon Baby Update! 🦝🍼

Our four little bandits—3 boys and 1 girl—are growing quickly and doing great! They’re full of personality, well-fed, and cozy in their nursery. 💚. Thank you so much Lea for the love and care you give to these babies. Love thier little feet and the way the purr when the are content!!

We’re still looking for sponsors to help support their care as they grow. You can sponsor one baby or all four. Your sponsorship helps provide formula, enrichment, housing, and medical care—and gets them one step closer to a wild and free future.

As a sponsor, you’ll receive: ✨ Photo/video updates
✨ A social media shoutout
✨ The joy of knowing YOU made a difference

If you'd like to be part of their story, send us a message—we’d love to match you with your own little rascal! 🦝💚

Keepin’ It Wild: Little Lives, Big Needs.

04/17/2025

🌿🐾 When You See Wildlife Out in the Open... 🐾🌿
They’re not lost.
They’re not asking for help.
They’re just trying to survive. 💚

Whether it’s a baby bunny in the middle of your yard, a fawn lying motionless in the grass, or a young bird on the ground—wild animals often spend time alone as part of their natural development.

It might look unusual to us, but to them, it’s perfectly normal.

✨ What can you do?
Observe from a distance. Keep pets away. Resist the urge to scoop them up.
✅ If the animal appears injured, orphaned, or in immediate danger, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance (like us at Keepin It Wild).

Let’s all remember:
Not all who wander are lost. Not all who seem alone are abandoned. 🐇🦌🕊️

04/16/2025

A huge THANK YOU to Ariana and family for rescuing these 3 baby’s and for sponsoring sweet Vee for Victory! We’re so grateful and we’ll take amazing care of her!

Now her baby brother is still hoping for a sponsor of his own. Could it be you? Thank you to everyone who's helped give these three little ones a second chance!

04/16/2025

Found a Nest, No Mom in Sight
It’s totally normal not to see mom. She only visits once or twice a day to nurse and stays away to keep predators from finding the nest. 🕊️

🧠 Found This? Do This:
✔️ Gently place a tic-tac-toe pattern of grass or string over the nest.
✔️ Check in 12–24 hours—if the pattern is disturbed, mom has returned!
✔️ Do not move the babies or assume they’ve been abandoned.

04/15/2025

A big THANK YOU to Jackie for sponsoring and naming sweet Faith!
Because of your generosity, Faith is receiving the specialized care she needs to grow healthy and strong. We are so grateful for your support and love for wildlife!

Faith has a brother and sister who are still looking for sponsors—will you be their hero? Sponsoring one of our babies helps provide formula, medical supplies, cozy bedding, and more. Plus, you get the joy of naming them and watching them grow!

Thank you, Jackie, for being part of Faith’s journey and part of our Keepin’ It Wild family!

04/15/2025

The Emotional Impact of Rescue – What People Don’t Always See 💔🐾

Rescue work is often portrayed as inspiring—and it is. But behind every rescue is a weight that’s rarely spoken about.

Rescuers and carers often suffer quietly:

🌧️Compassion fatigue – constant exposure to suffering wears you down.

🌧️Burnout – the emotional cost of always being needed, of never being able to do enough.

🌧️ Witnessing trauma – seeing neglect, cruelty, abandonment.

🌧️Making impossible decisions – when you can’t save them all.

🌧️ No support system – many carers work alone, with no therapy, no backup, no rest.

And still—they show up. Every. Single. Day.

Some rescuers carry multiple responsibilities and that in itself is taxing.

A full-time job, household responsibilities, family obligations, owned pets - not including fosters. Rescue comes with many hats and there are many that don't just juggle one role.

We need to talk about the emotional toll of caring.
Because the truth is: saving animals often breaks the people doing the saving.

If you know someone doing rescue work—check on them. Help them. Listen.

They carry more than you realize. 🐾💕

In honor of National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week and to all of the individuals involved in Animal Welfare, doing far more than anyone truly understands.

We see you... 💓

04/15/2025

🌸🐢 Spring is here, and so are the turtles! 🐢🌸

As the weather warms up, turtles are on the move—and they often end up crossing roads on their journey. Helping them can truly save a life, but there are a couple important things to keep in mind:

1️⃣ Not all turtles are aquatic.
Please don’t place a turtle in water unless you're absolutely sure it belongs there. The safest move is to gently place them on the side of the road they were heading toward. If they’re water-dwellers, they’ll find their way naturally.

2️⃣ Snapping turtles deserve extra caution.
We don’t recommend handling snappers unless you’re experienced. They can snap, lunge, and move their necks farther than you might expect. Your safety matters too!

And remember—your local permitted wildlife rehabilitators (like us at Keepin It Wild) are here not just for rescues, but also for education and guidance. Never hesitate to reach out. ❤️

04/14/2025

🌰🐿️ Welcome, South Dakota Babies! 🐿️🌰

Say hello to the first three South Dakota baby squirrels of the season here at Keepin It Wild! 💚 After giving mom every chance to come back for them, it was clear she wasn’t returning—so now, they’re safe and sound with us. We’ve got two sweet girls and one little guy settling into care and stealing hearts already.

Want to get involved? Sponsor one (or all!) and you’ll get naming rights—because every wild soul deserves a name and a cheer squad. 😉

Welcome to the Keepin It Wild family, little ones! 🐾 Let’s show them some love!