Groundhog Rescue Info
Groundhogs are naturally shy, sensitive prey animals who do not cause harm or damage to you. Removing groundhogs from your home because they are getting into your garden, living under your shed, you have kids who play in the backyard, have a dog etc. is not an advisable option. Removing one, two, or more, will just open up a vacancy for others. As a homeowner it is your responsibility to properly protect your garden, your children, companion animals, and home. Removing groundhogs is ineffective and inhumane.
Trapping a groundhog YOURSELF with a havahart trap and releasing them into the woods is not only ILLEGAL but also serves as a death sentence for the groundhog. Being in a new environment means they have no understanding of where there is a food source, no access to shelter, and remain terrified as they are removed from their families – this leads to their eventual, painful death.
If you hire a “pest” removal company it is required by law that they kill the groundhog. Do not be fooled by a “humane” label.
If you find an orphaned baby groundhog who appears to be uninjured, leave the baby where you found them and observe from a distance (inside your home through a window) to see if a parent comes back. If a couple hours have passed and no parents come back, using gloves, pick up the baby and place them in a box with an old t-shirt or fleece blanket and bring them into a warm, dark, safe, and quiet spot (bathroom, spare room, garage) away from children and other animals and call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. DO NOT GIVE FOOD OR WATER
If you find an injured baby groundhog using gloves, pick up the baby and place them in a box with an old t-shirt or fleece blanket and bring them into a warm, dark, safe, and quiet spot (bathroom, spare room, garage) away from children and other animals and call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. DO NOT GIVE FOOD OR WATER
If you find an injured adult groundhog do not attempt to capture unless you have proper gloves (thick protection to protect you from a bite). Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. If you are waiting for a call back or for the rehabber to get to you, you can place a laundry basket or box over the groundhog to prevent them from wandering off.
For advice on how to humanely handle groundhogs in your garden, under your home, etc. visit: humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-woodchucks
