What to Do if You Find a Baby Animal Abandoned and Alone in New Hampshire

We saw an enormous bald eagle take its (presumably) mother away, and we knew we had to intervene.

Let me back up, because this story is wild, 100% true, and a learning experience on what to do if you ever find an abandoned animal in New Hampshire or other New England states.

I was playing 9 holes at Exeter Country Club in Exeter, NH, with a buddy of mine. On the 18th fairway, we spotted what appeared to be a baby squirrel.

The thing was a newborn...it had fresh skin with no hair. The kind of newborn animal that has not even opened its eyes for the first time. We named it "Parmesan" ... like a par on the golf course, but cute.

We debated on what to do. Poked around to see if there were others, a mother, anything. The little guy was directly in the middle of a golf fairway. Alone. Twitching a bit.

Circle of life? Survival of the fittest?

Any of those thoughts vanished once we saw an enormous bald eagle carrying (presumably) the Parmesan's mother into the sky with her sharp talons.

I scooped her up in a clean towel, we stopped playing, and off I went. To tell you the truth, at this point, I thought it was a baby squirrel still, and I thought I was about to raise it.

Thankfully, my wife talked me off the ledge, and we clarified with the internet that it was a baby bunny. We knew we were in no position to raise a 2-3-day-old bunny.

Unfortunately, by the time I got home and called animal rescues nearby, all were closed for the night. My wife and I did what we had to do...keep baby Parmesan alive for the night.

We got a box with soft blankets, a heating pack for under the blanket, and we went to an animal store to get KMR (kitten milk replacement). We bought fake nipples and fed Parmesan with a bottle and a syringe.

After keeping her as warm and fed as we could throughout the night and into the morning, it was time to get her into proper hands.

Where to Bring a Baby Animal Abandoned in New Hampshire

I took Parmesan to the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine. It was beautiful. They are doing amazing work at that facility. I even got to register an account to see follow-up details on how Parmesan is doing and how I can be a part of the release.

Many other facilities would have taken in abandoned Parmesan, or other abandoned birds, ferrets, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, etc. Check their website or call them before to see if they can take in the animal.

• Wings of Dawn: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Henniker, NH
• Millstone Wildlife Center in Windham, NH
• Wilderness Way Wildlife in York, ME
• The NHSPCA in Stratham, NH