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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

You can help save Back To The Wild

Earlier this week I learned about an animal cause dear to the heart of one of my fellow Twitterers, Jamie Lynn Natole. She told me she found out the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center Back To The Wild is nearing closing because of a lack of funding, so she created a page on indiegogo to help.

"Many residents in the surrounding areas depends on Back To The Wild for a variety of reasons and it would be a complete shame if she were to have to close doors and re-home all her animals," Natole wrote in an email.

Information from Natole's indiegogo fundraising page:
WHO ARE THEY?
BACK TO THE WILD® is a Wildlife Rehabilitation & Nature Education Center located in Castalia, Ohio that is currently receiving over 2,500 injured, orphaned and displaced wild animals each year. Every effort is made to return an animal "back to the wild," however, if the animal is permanently disabled and not releasable, it may be kept for use in educational programs under special Federal and State permits. However, there are no tax moneys or government funds available to assist the center, so our costs and the success of the center are possible thanks to many volunteers, gifts, and donations.

Since 1990, Back to the Wild has rescued more than 40,000 animals, returned more than 26,000 to the wild and have admitted more than 50 bald eagles. The center has educated more than 1 million children and adults since opening its doors 22 years ago.

WHY IS AN ORGANIZATION LIKE BACK TO THE WILD® NEEDED?
Wildlife rehabilitation is a much-needed service in our community, as there are very few licensed centers throughout Ohio. Calls are received daily from frustrated citizens who are relieved to finally find someone who can help in a wildlife crisis. Before reaching this center, they have first contacted local police and fire departments, veterinarians, wildlife agencies, and park districts; only to find that none of these places are equipped to care for an injured wild animal.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T GET FUNDING?
If Back To The Wild® doesn't receive funding they will be forced to shut down operations. This means not being able to care for any more animals or educate us and our children about these great creatures. This is not an option. Animals need our help more than ever. They don't know how to avoid cars, or what to do if they get hurt. Do you know what to do or who to call when they get hurt? Or when they move into our homes when they can't find their own? That's why we need an organization like Back To The Wild® to help educate, and assist us with our local wildlife.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
All money donated from this campaign will go directly to help Back To The Wild® and they will use the funds at their discretion.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
There are other ways you can help! Volunteer!
You can also donate straight from their website via Paypal!
Other items that can be donated:
  • Birdseed
  • Grain (for ducks and geese - no corn, please)
  • Dog & Cat food (dry only)
  • Formula (non-human)
  • Pine Bedding (no cedar - cedar is toxic to some animals)
  • Paper Towels (Bounty is preferred)
  • Bales of straw
  • Cleaning Supplies (Clorox, Rubber gloves, Brushes)
  • Zip-lock bags (quart & gallon)
  • Trash bags (39 gallon)
  • Dawn dish soap
  • Medical supplies
  • Hemp Rope (for wrapping perches)
  • Hardware
  • Incubators
  • Picnic tables
Full wishlist can be found here.
_____________________________________________________________________
Personal Note:
I remember them have a HUGE impact on us as grade school kids bringing in all they had to educate and teach us to respect and care for animals, nature, and their natural habitats.

I think raising a few hundred dollars is the least I can do to help out this very imporant program in our community.

Please read the news article which inspired me to even start this campaign. Please share with everyone in your community. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/features/back-wild-faces-desperate-times


Natole's campaign ends on Aug. 11, and she's only raised 15 percent of her goal. If you have the means to donate and are looking for a cause to support, check out Natole's fundraising page and consider clicking the pink contribute button. 

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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