Deb W.

I have carried around, cared about and cared for animals since I was a toddler. Finally in my retirement years I am able to turn this love into a volunteer activity that I am passionate about. I've learned from other more experienced mentors and worked hard to develop skill in Wildlife Rehabilitation. I also enjoy sharing stories of the amazing and sometimes unexpected experiences I have had with wildlife in my care.

Once I received a fledgling Titmouse. This tiny bird had apparently just fledged from its nest. A young boy found it in the woods. He thought it needed help so he took it to a veterinarian who, in turn, sent the bird to me. I was distressed when I determined that this bird was taken from the wild, and its parents, unnecessarily. This bird was still being cared for by its parents. But the veterinarian office had not taken the contact information from the young boy who brought it in. I did not have any way of knowing where to return this little fledgling bird. So I took it into my care and began to feed it. The birdcage was located on my screened porch. Each time the baby Titmouse vocally begged for food, a Titmouse from my yard would show up at a bush just outside the porch. It was clear the outside adult Titmouse was responding to the begging calls of the baby I was feeding. After this happened six times, I decided to place the baby bird in the bush and watch. The outside adult Titmouse began bringing food to the baby. At the end of the day it was clear that the outside adult had adopted the baby bird. So amazing! This is just one of the unexpected experiences I have had with the wildlife in my care.