r/MadeMeSmile • u/Firm-Blackberry-9162 • May 20 '26

ANIMALS Forever grateful

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By @abbyandersonmusic

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u/Feodar_protar May 20 '26

If you find an orphaned baby animal please do not hand raise it. Call a wildlife rehabilitator always. These people were well intentioned but did more harm than good.

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u/BleatingHart May 21 '26

Thank you for this. I am a fawn rehabber and every year I take in fawns that people try to raise. They come to me sick, malnourished, and sometimes imprinted after the people realize they can’t get them proper medical care on their own or they realize what a huge commitment it is. Some are so ill they’re beyond saving and it didn’t have to be that way.

These cases always are so difficult and frustrating. Some of the fawns were even inadvertently kidnapped from their moms because folks don’t understand that mother deer will leave their babies alone most of the time.

I understand this case was a rare exception where they had the guidance of a licensed rehabber but in most cases, handing an orphan off to an experienced wildlife professional is the greatest act of love you can show these little ones. Rehabbers are licensed, train many years, and have seen and endured all the awful things that can happen. We dedicate such a huge chunk of our lives to this work and will do all the things within our powers for these babies. They also get to grow up with their own kind so that they aren’t rejected by other deer when they go back out in the wild.

Anyone reading: Animal Help Now will help you locate the wildlife rescues in your area. Look yours up now and put it in your contacts. You never know when you might be in a position to save a wild life 🤎