Kelsey Harty, Animal Services & Enforcement officer

Spring is here and with the warmer weather comes all those cute spring time babies. From kittens, to rabbits, and even baby deer, we’ll be seeing them all in our communities soon. Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind this spring and summer if you just so happen to stumble across a baby animal.

Kittens:

Cats and kittens are at the top of the list of things that are brought into the Humane Society of the Black Hills during the warmer months. It’s easy to stumble across a litter of kittens but, when you do, remember are that the mother is more than likely in the area and placed her kittens there on purpose. If you feel that the kittens are in direct danger, contact Animal Services and Enforcement dispatch and request officer assistance.

Another thing you can do, if you have the time and resources, is to keep an eye out for the mother to return. If you notice that the mother has not returned within three days you can either bring the kittens to HSBH or an animal services and enforcement officer can come out and pick up the kittens if they are small enough that they cannot run away. Unfortunately, if the kitten/cat is big enough to run, our AS&E officers cannot pick them up. Chasing after these animals only causes more harm than good. It’s also very tricky to chase a cat. AS&E can pick up cats and kittens that are contained to a room, trap, or cage.

Rabbits:

All too often we see newborn bunnies brought into HSBH because they were either found while mowing the yard, discovered by a house cat, or the nest was stumbled across casually. Please, if you find a nest of baby bunnies the best thing you can do for those babies is to leave them. The mother will be back and she will be so disappointed to come back to an empty nest. Again, these animals leave their young in the nest for a reason.

“These animals leave their young in the nest for a reason.”

Baby Deer:

Not as common as the other two, but in some cases people have come across a young deer that cannot get up or move. Mother deer actually “park” their young in specific places as they go off to eat. Please, if you find a young deer or baby deer and the animal is not in any direct harm, please leave the animal where it is.

Raccoons and Skunks:

Always contact Animal Services and Enforcement if you feel you have found a baby raccoon or skunk you believe to be in direct harm. Please never handle these creatures if you do not have to. Skunks and raccoons get their teeth much sooner than most other infant animals and can, and will, bite if they feel threatened.

We hope everyone has a safe and fun time this year in the warm weather.

Questions?

If you ever have questions or you need assistance feel free to contact us at 605-394-4132 – or come down and visit us at 1820 E. St. Patrick Street.