OkcPets Magazine May 2022

40 OKC Pets • May/June 2022 In addition, the trapping process itself might be harmful to the animal. Trapped animals often hurt themselves while trying to get out of the trap. Otherwise healthy animals can suffer serious injuries, includ- ing broken teeth, wounds, and fractures to the nose, feet, and toes and problems from exposure to heat and cold that can result in death. The latter occurs when people place traps and do not check them regularly. It is not uncommon for animals to be trapped on hot roofs for hours or days in spring and summer. Those animals rarely survive trapping. Finally, relocating wildlife is not a long- term solution. Other wildlife in the area will happily take over the newly vacated resources, and the trapping and relocating process will have to begin all over again. Other Problems with Trapping In spring through fall, many wild animals such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and other animals are looking for safe places to have and care for their babies. They might choose locations in or around people’s homes, sheds, decks, and yards because they are safe, dark, and quiet places to raise young. During early spring through fall, it’s safe to assume that if a wild animal is seeking shelter around your home, it has or soon will have babies. Trapping and relocat- ing animals during that time will most likely result in orphaned babies. Because those babies are completely dependent on their mothers, they will die of starvation. Trapping animals during that time of year nearly always ends in tragedy. A More Humane Response The most humane response is to ensure that your home, porch, and outbuildings are in good repair and do not have holes, gaps, or rotted wood that serve as con- venient entry and exit points for animals looking for a cozy den. Those repairs should be done from September through February, after baby season ends. The same is true for any major tree work. Thousands of animals are killed and orphaned because of tree work in spring and summer. If the animal family has already moved in, the most humane response is to let the animal raise its young. Although that might be inconvenient at times, most of the animals that are prone to nesting around humans will be in their dens (un- der your shed or in your barn) for only a few weeks. Denning and nesting season is short, and once the family has vacated the location, you can make needed repairs. If that is not an option, the next-best approach is to convince the animals to move on their own. The secret is to figure out why they are there and change the environment to make your home the least attractive of their options. They often have more than one denning spot because they are instinctually prepared for danger and know that they might have to move their babies quickly. Evict Wildlife Humanely The following are effective and humane eviction techniques: • Help parents move themselves and Some people fear Virginia opossums and don’t want them in their yards. The truth is that they are extremely beneficial, eating thousands of ticks during spring and summer.