I have the ultimate respect for Wildlife Rehabilitators. Last year, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar on the ABC’s of becoming a rehabber. It was held at the Weinberg Nature Center in Scarsdale, NY. The hosts Maggie Ciarca, a Wildlife Rehabilitator who specializes in opossums and Joanne Dreeban an aviary specialist. I was honored to be in front of these two highly dedicated and knowledgeable Wildlife Rehabilitators. They explained it all to us from supplies, to the personal time commitment to the lack of funding support. It is amazing to me the dedication and commitment these individuals have in their role as a Wildlife Rehabilitator. They have to tend to the animals’ day-to-day needs—food, water—in addition to treating their medial ailments. Most babies have to eat every 2 to 3 hours depending upon species and their living quarters must be kept sanitary. It is a 24/7 job that typically goes unrecognized.
Here at Wildlife Busters we would like to say Thank You! to all the Wildlife Rehabilitators out there who assist us in accomplishing our goal in providing humane, professional solutions to human/wildlife conflicts.We work very closely with Susan Denicholas, licensed Wildlife Rehabber, Founder of Blissful Strays and senior vet tech and vet office manager of West End Vet, located in Newburgh, NY. Susan is a fantastic woman who is passionate about the animals she cares for – she has truly dedicated her life to the betterment of others. I admire that quality tremendously. Thank you Susan for all you do. And for others out there who would like to support her work as both a wildlife rehabilitator and also a stray cat rescuer, donations can be made at the website or you can visit her facebook page at
In closing, this time of year you will be seeing many babies, perhaps without their parents. Don’t be an accidental kidnapper. During the spring and Summer Seasons, new generations of wild birds and mammals are born in our woodlands and yards. These young wild animals are less wary of humans than their parents and are often mistaken for orphans and “rescued” by well-intentioned people. The fact is that, in many cases, these infant animals and birds are not truly orphaned or abandoned and are better left to be cared for by their natural parents. Two simple rules of thumb:
- If you have to chase it to catch it, it does not require your assistance.
- Don’t remove it from its parents.
And if you do come across a situation that requires you to contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator place the animal in a warm, dark, quiet area. Do not feed or provide water, until you have spoken to a professional and have been given instructions.
If you are in need of a Wildlife Rehabilitator in New York, Please visit www.nyswrc.org or call me at 917-282-9090 and I will get you in touch with a Rehabilitator that can assist.
Inspirational Quote of the Week
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” John Dewey
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