What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone, man would die of a great loneliness of the spirit.
For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man. All things are connected.
Chief Seattle, 1854
Wildlife Rehabilitation at
Divine Nature
Getting up in the middle of the night to feed a baby squirrel or rabbit, feeding baby birds every daylight hour, and cleaning up the inevitable messes are just a few of the things I do as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. As part of this dedicated group of volunteers, I am licensed by the state government to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Each spring in New York, thousands of orphaned wildlife are placed in the care of rehabilitators. The animals are raised with appropriate and balanced diets, kept warm and clean, and provided with veterinary care when needed so that they can be released back to the wild. Release is the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation.
What can you do to help? The first thing to remember is not to interfere unless there truly is a problem. Baby mammals often stray from their parents to explore and investigate their new world. Many baby birds leave their nest BEFORE they are able to fly. This is a normal part of the learning process and they are still under their parents’ care. All too often a child or well meaning adult will take such an animal, thinking it is an orphan. Your interference can mean death for a young animal and distress for the parent. Watch patiently from afar and usually a parent will appear to care for its young. You can help by keeping cats indoors during this time. If you do encounter an animal that is positively orphaned or distressed, DO NOT attempt to care for it yourself. Proper diet and handling are essential if the animal is to survive, and it is illegal to keep a wild animal without a license. Time is critical, so contact me or another licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
As a wildlife rehabilitator, I do not charge for my services, though donations to Divine Nature are needed. I have a “wish list” of items I could use. All expenses for food, medicine, housing, and education are from my own pocket. My time is volunteered. If you would like further information about wildlife rehabilitation, please contact me, Mary Ellen Rose at Divine Nature at BMR Acres, Inc. - my telephone number is 315-697-5476 or toll free at 1-877-8554BMR (4267). Divine Nature is located at 2542 Pine Ridge Road, Canastota, NY 13032.
I am a proud member of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitators Council (NYSWRC), and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA).
If you would like to donate to Divine Nature Wildlife Rehabilitaiton, please make check or money order out to Divine Nature at BMR Acres, Inc. US FUNDS ONLY! You can also donate through the link below.
