This is a really good discussion!
SAS - there's some really good info out there on rehabilitating (not just *wabbits*) animals that have had human contact. We contstantly get animals in that people have had for weeks (or months).But most people really are doing their best, they just don't know - and it's always harder to treat injuries and wounds that have been sitting painfully for a long time. It's alsov. difficult to judge when a wild animal is 'happy' or content - a lot of thing we assoicate with being content, are also signs of shock and chronic stress; but it's a judgment call. One gull came in-the a finder had raised for 6 weeks (ugh....how she last that long with all the poop in her home is beyond me
), but because he didn't have a proper diet his bones were brittle, underdeveloped, and feathering in poor poor condition (among other things).
You're right Bo B Bunny - vets can't treat and return an animal to the finder - they have to give them to a rehabber, and can only keep them for a specified length of time so that domestic patients aren't endangered. I should have clarified. I think I was thinking along the lines of a speuter. We have one clinic that is open 24hrs that will hold an animal for us for a few hours (e.g. until we re-open in the morning), stablize etc.,until a volunteer can get to the area to transport it to us.
Back to the question re: prolongued human interaction -
A rehabber would never ever release an animal that they did not think could evade a predator etc.Animal kept by humanslearn whaat is and isn't dangerous, and this can bere-taught.When an animal comes in like this (I can't speak for every rehabber), they are isolated, have minimal human contact, any interaction (e.g. the animal coming toward you when the pen is opened)is discouraged. Much like conditioning (well, exactly like conditioning). You gradually see the animal return to it's natural state. It happens quite fast in animals that weren't in care as young babies (e.g. first few days of life).
When centres get in birds or animals easily imprinted at a young age,staff wear masks, etc. (You have no idea how hard it is tofeed a baby raven or gull using a puppet)!
So long story - short answer - the job of rehabbers is to give themback that "edge". They are often successful, and the animal has to go through a variety of tests (behavioural) prior to release to mnake sure it is in proper condition/form. About a month ago we admitted a squirrel that had been kept by the finder and bottle fed since he was a baby - at first he was so so overly friendly.Now he just as growly and evasive as a *normal* squirrel.Almost ready to go!
Oh Jenni - I'm so sorry - you did do the right thing.Sometimes you have to remember (this is hard for me too), that theremight have been some reason that the bun had been picked off by the dog(natural selection etc.) in the first place. Even if it wasnt' injured,it's survival of the fittest out there.The otherthing is, it may have had some minor injuries (often hard to tell overthe phone etc.), causing the animal to be either in shock, or it's bodyshunting resources toward healing rather than "fight or flight"responses. Regardless, you did your best, that's all anyonecan do.
Anyways, maybe just give a rehabber a call, they can give you advice(they would know more about american legislation than I do), and maybedirect you to a sanctuary of some sort.
In the end everyone has to make their own decisions. Keepingwild animals in captivity is one of those topics that I tend to findquiteupsetting andbe very sensitive of(comes withthe job), so I think I'll stay hands off from hear on out. Ihope that the information I've provided will be of some help inassisting people in these situations make decisions. Feel free to pm meif anyone is looking for info in this field.
P.S. I still laugh at the title of this thread. SAS, here'sthe link to the WRNBC (Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BritishColumbia. The website has a list of local rehab centres inB.C. etc., and there is lots of info on thepages (as well ason the pages of those centres) on what to do if you find ananimal.
http://www.wrn.bc.ca/
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council is
http://www.iwrc-online.org/