Haven in the Woods, NJ

08/25/2026

Much of what we do starting in early early spring through the late fall is feed, clean, medicate, vaccinate, set up for release and then answer the phones. In NJ there are not even 20 listed public rehabilitation centers and fourteen are for mammals, five for birds. There are 7,000,000 residents in NJ and a lot of calls. In reality each facility manages animals in at least one if not two or three counties. We cover about 500,000 people per facility. We are all volunteers! Many nonprofits, and only a few pay salaries to staff…

There is a lot of stress..... We are running on fumes and many with little funds.

I hope this explains and perhaps puts into perspective why so many individuals have to wait to hear back from licensed wildlife rehabilitators & facilities and why some responses get jumbled. Last night I handled 18 calls for squirrels alone. But also we are rehabilitating and our team as well as so many other do not come out to pick up animals we are called about. We also depend on local government shelters and animal control officers to help with this. Be kind to them too!

Please remember, rescues & rehabilitators are not paid & we are not funded at all. It could be 1 person taking in calls, medicating, cleaning, & feeding wildlife plus their regular paying job, their family, their pets...plus all the things in between like getting supplies, going to the vet, repairs on enclosures, & the list could go on.

From about March to September many rehabilitators may average 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night if lucky. We are yelled at by a handful of individuals that truly have no idea what we do. We see more death & suffering than any of us cares to share & more than many could deal with.

Yes, we are sure there may be some bad apples but most are truly wonderful & very caring individuals that put themselves dead last to care for wildlife & to help the people calling.

Please be kind & patient! 💜

Shared from multiple other rehabbers.

08/25/2026

So many donations, so many small and large I am overwhelmed with the generosity of the global community and mostly Jenfromcorporate who started this whole shindig!!

08/24/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DccGq4gKm3V/?igsi=MzhwcDFyemVpMjVh

08/24/2026

So we Haven in the Woods, NJ answer the phone. Yes sometimes I am cranky and louder (I am going deaf.. but we certainly try to be the best we can and to make sure to manage the urgent situation.

While this was a prank, I am very grateful to Jenfromcorporate because of the amazing donations already received from many of her followers. We are feeling very grateful today and honestly, we feel grateful every single day for the work we’re able to do with Wildlife.

Thank you

Nina and the entire team at Haven in the woods!

08/22/2026

We, at Haven in the Woods, NJ, recently took in a pair of baby squirrel brothers who became separated from their mom. The wonderful HLEO from Bayonne searched for mom but was unable to locate her so he gave us a call and brought them to us. They are currently being bottle fed and will be taught how to climb and survive in the wild before they are released back into nature where they belong. Thank you to everyone that chooses to help an animal instead of turning away from them!!

08/13/2026

Hi, I’m Paula with “Woodside Wildlife Rescue” and I can help you with your raccoon situation - if you are willing to take a few simple steps.

All Wildlife play an important role in the environment. Raccoons are a vital part of nature’s balance. They eat snakes, snake eggs, rodents and cockroaches - keeping these species in check.

Please STOP TRAPPING and RELOCATING!
We do not want to trap and release elsewhere due to the possibility of the translocation of disease (Distemper and Parvo lately). And moving a solo raccoon to an already established territory usually results in death of the relocated animal.

Also, you may be moving a nursing mama. By trapping and relocating her means her offspring will die without intervention.

Please know that the raccoons will have at least three other nests within a half mile of their current location. What needs to happen is, you make their current dwelling (your house or property) as uncomfortable and inhospitable as possible. It’s as easy as introducing light, sound and scent. These three things will drive the raccoon out safely on its own accord.

Please secure your trash cans and don’t leave pet food outside. This includes bird feeders. In most cases, these opportunistic feeders have been conditioned by you, the homeowner.

We have had a lot of success evicting wildlife by using the following:

- Sonic Boxes cost approximately $35.00 and can be purchased online via Amazon. To use, rig in the direction of entry point. Note: If you are using these deterrents to repel squirrels or rats, you must use the “Ultra” Sonic setting.
- Amber Strobe lights can be purchased on line. Raccoons will not tolerate yellow flashing lights for long. Rig as closely to the entry point as possible.
- A Portable Radio can be rigged and tuned to talk radio throughout the day while raccoons are trying to rest and relax. If it’s a mama, nursing young in a noisy environment becomes impossible.
- If you have light sockets where your uninvited guests are, a “PIC Rodent Repellent 2-in-1” (light/sonic) Bulb can be used in place of your standard light bulb. These bulbs emit a sonic blast as well as LED and can be purchased online or from Tractor Supply for approx $21.
- Illuminate the area.
- Fox or Bobcat Urine (spray application) can be purchased at Walmart or any outdoor-sporting goods store. Both are natural predators of raccoon kits. If a mama smells that near her den, she will relocate. NOTE: Coyote urine should be used in attic application only. Never on the ground, as a hormone has been introduced. You do not want to create a bigger issue by drawing coyotes in.

- NOTE: Never use mothballs as they are highly flammable and extremely toxic. And in most states, illegal to use outside.

If you have a nursing mama in your attic, please bare in mind that it will take her some time to relocate her entire family. Consider she could have up to eight (8) babies and her backup nest is half a mile away...

Once the critter has moved on, you MUST repair areas of entry or another family will move right in.

Work through these suggestions and give us a call at (228) 223-0430, if you require further assistance.

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

Today is of the days that we’re happy that the public is willing to attempt to bring mom and babies back together when a crisis occurs.

In this case, it was a Flying Squirrel’s home that happened to have been destroyed in the process of removing a dangerous tree. Instead of just bringing the babies straight to me, we discussed the best ways to try to reunite mom and babies.

The public works team was excited to try whatever was needed to get these babies to Mom safely. They worked a position and nest on a second tree and sat and watched his mom glided between trees, picking up her babies. It was a great day despite the fact that she had to move her home reunification is the best and we are happy to support one of them.

To the public workers, who did the heavy lifting, thank you so much for trying, this is a win for wildlife and the Folks working to reunify this family!

😊 thank you!