Questions Rehabbers ask

[stepnstone]

When we take in a rescue there are questions we ask of the finder, some rehabbers even use a standard type of admission form to refer to although personally I have found them to be rather vague.

Besides personal information of the finder, address, phone, etc. We typically ask for information such as:
Where it was found, circumstances, condition, injuries. Was it fed, what and how. Is it drinking, has it potted, was it stimulated.
Any meds given, how it's been acting and so on...
I'm sure I'm not the only one that has that lingering question we wished we would have asked while the finder was still there.

I would like to open this forum for different idea's and suggestions on questions to ask out of the norm that can assist us with what we do.

[UDoWhat]

I usually ask if the finder would like the squirrel released back in their yard. I have acquired many new release sites by asking this question. I do, however, inspect the site as to it's suitability before making any promises. Most finders are pleased to have the animal back for release.

Marty

[stepnstone]

I usually ask if the finder would like the squirrel released back in their yard. I have acquired many new release sites by asking this question. I do, however, inspect the site as to it's suitability before making any promises. Most finders are pleased to have the animal back for release.
Marty

Good point Marty! :thumbsup

Another good question would be try to establish if the "finder" is the actual person that first had the animal. I ran into that situation when I was first told they only had it for 3 days and then later told me their (out of State) brother had the animal for a week prior. :pissed

[UDoWhat]

Whoa.... yes that is a great question... but would you think you would even need to ask that question as it is a huge piece of the puzzle in this or any baby's life. Amazing that this info was not immediately volunteered to you. :shakehead

Marty

[island rehabber]

Whoa.... yes that is a great question... but would you think you would even need to ask that question as it is a huge piece of the puzzle in this or any baby's life. Amazing that this info was not immediately volunteered to you. :shakehead

Marty

I learned the hard way that we need to ask not only "How long have you had the animal?" but ALSO, "when did you first notice the animal in distress?" I had a woman tell me she had three baby squirrels out on her porch. When I got to them they were cold, wet skeletons, and covered with bugs. Turns out she'd left them in her yard under a tree for three days (in the rain) after first noticing them. She didn't want her dogs to "catch their fleas" so she didn't bring them in until 3 days later. Unfortunately, all died. :(

[MsOakley]

What a sad story, IR:shakehead