It really was a joy having everyone come to Wild Care for our first in-person event in a long time! I hope it gave you a look at what we do here. It takes so many hands to make it all work, and each task no matter how small can make a difference to the animals that come through our door every day. It’s not always cute and fuzzy, it takes hard work, and it is definitely not glamorous unless waterproof knee-high boots and sensible socks are your thing. As it is everywhere right now we are short-staffed, and I thought it was only right that I step up and fill in when the need presented itself. Up until now my only experience with animal rescue and rehabilitation has been with dachshunds. Anyone that knows dachshunds understands, their sole motivation and nothing else, is how to get you to give them food.
I arrived at Wild Care ready for my first shift in the Clinic not really sure what to expect. It started out easy enough - washing dishes, preparing crates, always aware of the ringing phone in the background. A delivery arrives and there is excitement that only an animal rehabber would get from a box full of worms. Our Animal Care Coordinator Jennifer Taylor declares them “beautiful”. I’d never thought a box of thousands of worms could be beautiful, but I started to understand things in the clinic. They are beautiful because they will help save a life with nourishment. I try to remember this as I remove them from the box and they wiggle all around. Within minutes there is a knock on the door. A small White-footed Mouse has gotten himself into trouble, and his head is stuck in a hole on the bottom of a plastic recycling bin. I am instantly part of an emergency team working to free him without doing harm to an already stressed animal. It’s a success, and it’s clear to me that every creature no matter how small is treated with the best of care here. I’m not sure what to expect next when a timer goes off, and Jennifer asks if I’d like to feed the baby birds. Feeding animals, that’s something I’m used to. Although baby birds will eat until they are full and then settle back down into their beds. Not so for a dachshund!
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We are always looking for volunteers
at Wild Care and hope you will
consider spending some time with us.
We would love to hear from you.
Eva Carbonaro
Director of Marketing, Outreach and Events
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A FEW OF THE BABIES IN THE WILD CARE NURSERY
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
"Many places are
turning away animals.
We are desperately
trying not to."
A Plea from Volunteer Coordinator Amy Sanders
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Something most people don’t realize is that Massachusetts wildlife rehabbers are incredibly overloaded in the summer time. Wild Care alone handles about 2,000 animals each year, the vast majority of them during the summer. Our staff of eight could not do it all without the help of volunteers. Without them we are lost. Volunteers help us feed babies and ailing patients, transport animals, clean mountains of linens, dishes and cages, put all those things away, help with events, raise money and donations of supplies,. They help us with the upkeep of an old building, barn, and the many outside structures that house our animals, and also help to input the data that generates our yearly reports. They help thank our donors, keep our lawn cut, and provide enrichment for animals so they can thrive.
We count on our volunteers so we can focus on the quality of care our patients receive. Many places are turning away animals. We are desperately trying not to. If somewhere in your heart, you could find it in yourself to donate a few hours a week, we would be eternally grateful, and though you might never actually see it, you are saving wild animals, because we are not having to turn them away.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER... PLEASE?
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Wild Care Hosts a Wildlife
Baby Shower for Baby Animals
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We had so much fun meeting everyone at the Wildlife Baby Shower on Saturday, June 18th! With your generosity we raised nearly $4,000 in donations, and over $1,500 in gift cards, and supplies from our Wish List. These donations will be put to good use, last year Wild Care treated 413 orphaned birds, and 566 orphaned mammals. Babies are lots of work, but oh so worth every minute of it!
Guests at the Baby Shower had the chance to meet Animal Ambassadors Ilean a Mallard Duck, Up Up an Eastern Screech Owl, and Garv a Eastern Box Turtle. There were guided tours, a look at some adorable baby opossums in our clinic, and the chance to make their own animal rescue boxes and “Kindness Socks”.
We Are Just Wild About Crafts!
Move over Martha Stewart, there were no shortage of creative crafters here! Kids of all ages made one-of-a-kind animal rescue boxes and Kindness Socks to take home with them. Doris Clausen and Linda DiStefano whipped up close to 100 birdseed party favor hearts for guests to take home, and Christian Carbonaro created a unique tic tac toe game out of a fallen tree log with adorable beach stone game pieces painted by Wild Care Volunteer Coordinator Amy Sanders.
Raffle Winner Donna Anderson Gives Back
Congratulations to Donna Anderson the winner of our Baby Shower basket giveaway! Donna chose to donate her prize back to the Wild Care. Thank you Donna!
And Speaking of Volunteers…
Wow, we couldn’t have done it without the many helping hands of our amazing Wild Care team of volunteers! They braved the heat for clean up, made our garden beautiful, directed parking, gave tours, and helped with all the fun activities. THANK YOU: Rachel Kirchgessner, Thayne Cameron, Barbara Humphrey, Amy Batts, Linda Groth, Pam Ellis, Nina Duprey, Lynn Adams, Michelle Proujanski, Sara Keith, Amy Martin, Christian Carbonaro , Bobbie McDonnell, Elaine Messina, Ellen Heim, Mary-Ann Agresti, Laura Curran, Sharlene Silva, Judy Bullard, Karen Boujoukos, Jody Hines, and Steve Carbonaro.
Thank You to our Local Businesses
If you weren't able to attend the Baby Shower, please consider making a donation to help our baby animals.
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Baby Red-shouldered Hawk Treated at Wild Care and Returned to the Nest |
Thank you to Pontiac Tree Service for placing a baby Red-shouldered Hawk safely back into its nest with three other babies. The bird had fallen 45 feet from its nest in Marion where it was rescued by Hollie Danhauser and brought to Wild Care for evaluation. Although thankfully the bird was unharmed from the fall, it was treated for intestinal parasites and was with us for five days before being reunited back with its family. We LOVE happy endings!!!
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PHOTO - Provincetown Independent |
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Writer Dennis Minsky shares
his experience of a Day in
the Wild Care Emergency Clinic
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"We Might as Well Be Kind." Dennis Minsky a writer for The Provincetown Independent recently spent a few hours in the Wild Care emergency clinic. From this experience he quotes philosopher, poet, and environmental scientist Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau said that “every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.” I think the hardworking staff and volunteers at Wild Care live these words.
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Turtles are on the Move - Let's Talk Turtle |
If you see a turtle crossing the road, and it is safe to do so, move the turtle to the side of the road in which it was headed. Do not move turtles to a new location. Many turtles have a very limited territory and will spend most of their lives trying to get back to where they hatched. Finally, it is illegal in the state of MA to keep most species of wild turtles as pets.
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Tips for Keeping Hummingbird Feeders
Free From Pests
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We all love watching hummingbirds visit for some sweet nectar, but don't want to attract pests that also enjoy a sweet treat. Follow these tips from the National Audubon Society for keeping your hummingbird feeders free from unwanted visitors this season.
*Reminder: Never use vaseline or sticky substances on your feeders or feeding station poles to prevent insect invasions. These substances are detrimental when feathers come in contact with them, and can be toxic when ingested.
Want to really help hummingbirds? Plant tubular native flowers. You will help the bees and butterflies too!
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Facebook Request Brings
a Trunk Full of Towels and Sheets for Animal Patients
Wild Care friend Russell Dutra responded to a Facebook request for towels and sheets used for animals being treated in the Wild Care clinic. He took up a collection and in five days collected a car filled with donations. Animal loving people have the biggest hearts! Thank you Russell.
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Duck Into Shaw's in Orleans for New Shopping Bags
and Support Wild Care
For each Give Back Reusable Shopping Bag you buy in July at Shaw's on Route 6A in Orleans Wild Care will receive a $1.00 donation.
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TRAVEL WITH WILD CARE
Upcoming Fundraising Trips Support the Work of Wild Care
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Check out our Amazon and Chewy WISH LISTS and donate much
needed supplies to help the animals being cared for at Wild Care.
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Help Wildlife While You Shop on Amazon
Go to amazonsmile.com and choose Wild Care Cape Cod as your charity. Get the same great items at the same prices, and with each purchase Wild Care receives a donation at no additional cost to you.
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10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642
When in Doubt Please Call Us 508-240-2255
We Are Here To Help!
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