Helped save a life today; UPDATE Pg 2 Post 29

[Freedom]

I was driving and saw an odd brown ball shape roll off from the front of the car ahead of me. That car jammed on his brakes and swerved left, then proceeded. I couldn't believe what I saw, so I cautiously pulled around, over and stopped to check.

A young woodchuck had tried to cross the road in mid day! Totally stunned, I could easily see it was breathing still, but it didn't budge when I carefully moved my foot near. So I put it in the car and returned home. As I'm driving, it started to come around and moved so it was facing me. I was a bit nervous at that, I thought "what if he reacts like a feral cat? I'm confined in the car with a loose wild animal!," but figured I was in for the long haul now. Got home, grabbed a carrier and moved it into that.



I checked on the Internet and found the small mammal rehabilitation was handled by The Wildlife clinic, so I drove him(?) there. The doctor was called to come check him over, was going to get there about 1 PM. I phoned once, but only got the voice mail so will have to wait until tomorrow to learn more.

[Kirsten]

Wow! Never saw such an animal before.

It's wonderful what you did, and I really hope they can help this little guy at the clinic.

Thanks for helping this animal!
Please keep us updated.

Kirsten

[RICHARD]

I was a bit nervous at that, I thought "what if he reacts like a feral cat? I'm confined in the car with a loose wild animal!," but figured I was in for the long haul now. Got home, grabbed a carrier and moved it into that.

The Auto Club Manual says that if you do pick up a injured animal and attempt to move it,you should remember this in case the animal goes off on you while you are driving.

"If the injured animal becomes aggravated and gets loose inside the vehicle, Aim the car toward any pole, fence or wall, this will set off the airbags and momentarily stun it, so you can safely exit the vehicle."

[lvpets2002]

How so Sweet & Brave for you to have picked up this wittle one.. This baby is just too Cute.. Hope all is ok & the baby can go back to the wild.. Thanks Freedom

[Scooter's Mom]

Aww, you're a good samaritan. I hope the little one makes it okay! I've never seen a woodchuck before.

[moosmom]

Great job Sandie!!!!

Poor thing. He was probably just stunned. Hope he's not hurt.

[RockyRoad]

Wow, I`ve never seen a woodchuck before either! Good job helping him out - I`m sure he appreciates it in some way.

[Freedom]

The Auto Club Manual says that if you do pick up a injured animal and attempt to move it,you should remember this in case the animal goes off on you while you are driving.

"If the injured animal becomes aggravated and gets loose inside the vehicle, Aim the car toward any pole, fence or wall, this will set off the airbags and momentarily stun it, so you can safely exit the vehicle."

Richard, I have a feeling that will only succeed in stunning ME, not the critter!

[krazyaboutkatz]

For some reason I misread this and I was expecting to see a very small chipmunk.LOL I've never seen a woodchuck either and I sure hope he'll be okay. I'm glad that you were there to save him.

[jennielynn1970]

Is a woodchuck the same as a groundhog? He looks like a big, chubby sucker!

I'm still a bit freaked out by groundhogs, I got chased by one when I was about 12, and those babies can run!

I hope that he/she will be ok. I'm glad that he didn't flip out while you were in the car! That would have been scary!

[K9karen]

Luckily, Mz Logan is sleeping..and I'll never tell.
Looks like, what we call a groundhog. Mz Logan's favorite pasttime (besides catching moles) is to corner them and harrass them. She lets them get away because she can outrun the fat suckers anyday.

You did a really good deed. I'm glad you weren't injured. I guess it sensed you were helping.

How'd ya get it in the carrier, anyways????

[shais_mom]

I was driving and saw an odd brown ball shape roll off from the front of the cat in front of me.

the what?!

I assume you meant car.
Interesting.
hope he's alright.

[Pam]

the what?!

I assume you meant car.

I would never make it as a proof reader. I read right past that. Can you imagine a cat that big?

[Ginger's Mom]

I wasn't sure what a woodchuck looked like either, and when I saw it I thought oh, they look kind of like groundhogs, lol. He does look big. He's only about 2 pounds? It was so nice of you to have help this little guy out. He obviously appreciates it, as he didn't want to get out of your nice safe carrier. Let us know what the vet says.

[Freedom]

Shais Mom, thanks for the 'heads up," I fixed that. Too funny!

Ginger's Mom, groundhog and woodchuck are the same.