In lieu of Readers’ Wildlife photos today, I’ll present a nice 7-minute video, sent by reader Lauren, of four newborn rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus: a denizen of Mexico and the American southwest). This family was rehabilitated with great effort by “Dr. Matt,” a caring guy who founded a Texas rehab organization, Vet Ranch. Lauren notes:
Vet Ranch is an interesting channel. Through donations and money earned by video views (of these and his Demolition Ranch videos), this vet provides free medical care for injured strays and shelter animals, and finds them homes. A lot of the videos show traumatic injuries and surgical procedures, but this one doesn’t.
I love watching these rodents nom strawberries.
And more information from the organization itself:
If you are interested in helping with animals in the future, please visit http://www.vetranchrescue.org to learn more about what we do and to donate if you would like. Dr. Matt Carriker, a veterinarian licensed in Texas founded Vet Ranch Inc., a 501(c)(3), tax exempt non-profit organization. There is no shortage of pets in need, so every donation means more lives we can positively change. If you are not able to donate, please enjoy the videos and share if you like them!!!
Really good show.
My wife gives to quite a few animal charities and has for some time. She does her own research and insist any & all solicitation be through the mail. She does not do any business from the phone so calling does not work. Any who do call are told what to do and that generally does the trick.
very heartening video! Thanks for posting….
Squee!
Fun to watch. Especially enjoyed the teenager stage.
Years ago my wife worked as a volunteer rehab for the state. Each spring and summer we’d get a number of litters of raccoons (also occasional opossums).
It was great fun. Raccoons are just awesome. Smart, agile and downright troublesome because those little hands could open latches.
As any veteran angler from anywhere that has a healthy raccoon population can attest, a bungee cord wrapped around a latched cooler is absolutely no match for a group of Raccoons.
I’ve been providing the odd troupe of masked rodents with an occasional free fish dinner since I was 7. I’ve had to come home early more than once because Raccoons stole all my bait.
Cute.
My daughter is a vet. I’ll share this with her.
Just lovely, a really heart warming video!
Humans can be ok. Put this video on the next Voyager disk zooming out of the solar system. Maybe it will buy our species some galaxy cred.
Mike
What a day brightener! 🙂