Orphaned Fawn Gets to Walk Again
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
By: Wendy Welch

Though fawns often appear abandoned, their mom almost always returns after several hours with food. Not so for this little guy with deformed front legs.

Ann Arbor, MI (June 14, 2017) – A tiny fawn, abandoned on the side of the road in Belleville, was lucky a good Samaritan found him.

Though fawns often appear abandoned, their mom almost always returns after several hours with food. Not so with this little guy. A gentleman from Belleville patiently waited eight hours, and when no adult deer returned, he took the baby home, hoping to raise it as a pet.

“He had great intentions, but fortunately a friend of his talked him out of it,” says Jan Zuidveld, Rescue Officer at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV). “Most people don’t know it’s not only illegal, but also wild animals don’t make good pets, either.”

“We’re happy to help him find a cat or dog,” Zuidveld smiled.

HSHV helped transfer the fawn to Help 4 Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation organization in Washtenaw County, where it was discovered that the fawn had deformed front legs.

“That’s probably why he was left behind,” says Karen O’Connor, DNR-licensed wildlife rehabilitator. “I suspect he was unable to follow his mom because his front legs were ‘bent’ outward from his knee joint.”

O’Connor took the fawn to Dr. Tom Maves at Village Animal Clinic, who confirmed the deformity with X-Rays, and created specially made splints for him. The splints are checked bi-weekly as the buck grows.

“He’s doing great! He has learned to walk very well and is the little king around here,” O’Connor laughs.

See a video of the fawn walking with his new leg braces: https://youtu.be/LPYybirp_iM

If all goes as expected, the braces will be removed this week, and after several weeks of practice walking, the buck will be released slowly, with the option to return if he’s unable to acclimate.

Interested in helping wildlife? HSHV depends upon volunteer wildlife rehabilitators like those at Help 4 Wildlife to help save hundreds of injured and orphaned wildlife each year. Volunteers say it’s rewarding work! To find out more, please contact info@help4wildlife.com.

About Help 4 Wildlife:

Help 4 Wildlife is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission  is to provide care, treatment and release for orphaned and/or injured wildlife and to advocate for their welfare while promoting human values and providing education to the public. We believe education is the key to wildlife rehabilitation both for the rehabbers themselves and for the public, as well. Our dedicated and licensed rehabbers through the state of Michigan have up-to-date certificates and knowledge of the latest rehabilitation techniques, and our most critical needs are funds to purchase formula and medications. See more at www.help4wildlife.com.

About The Humane Society of Huron Valley:

The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal "save-rate" among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation's top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. More information can be found on HSHV’s website (hshv.org) and on our annual report (www.hshv.org/annualreport).

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