Lorena C.

I have always had a strong love for animals. My father was a farmer so animals were always passing through. However, it usually wasn’t for the benefit of the animal. I always seen myself working with animals, maybe as a veterinarian, or a wildlife biologist. The path my life took went into the opposite direction but my passion to rescue animals never faded. In April of 2020 I had the unfortunate, yet fortunate opportunity to rescue four baby possums off of a mother who had just been hit by a car in front of me. I watched as she flipped beneath the vehicle, her little body flying between the tires that ended her life. One of her babies flew out of her pouch to land on the other side of the road which alerted me that there were babies. Inside her pouch I found four beautiful, 32 gram baby possums that were now in need of rescue and rehab. I got in touch with a friend who was a long time rehabber and volunteer with Keeper of the Wild, the largest 501(c)(3) organization in the South Carolina. A few months later I was knee deep in wildlife classes and actively volunteering as a wildlife rehabber for Keeper of the Wild. In 2022 I became an active volunteer with another non profit organization known as Misfit Farms INC, an animal rescue that caters to ALL animals from wildlife to live stock. The Opossum was my first animal to rehab and the species that I am most familiar with. Years later I am trained in bats, squirrels, opossums, and rabbits. Becoming a wildlife rehabber has been the most rewarding experience. It is both beautiful as it is heart breaking. It has taught me so much as a human being, as a rescuer. It has given me purpose, and a place in this world. To watch an animal come in on its death bed, watch as they heal, then ultimately watch as they are released back into the wild. Each animal teaches you. You learn how different their personalities are, how emotional and empathetic they can be. You watch as their fear and terror of their situation comes to light, and slowly watch as it begins to fade. They begin to trust you, maybe not so much as to allow you to touch them, but enough to know you are not going to hurt them. Enough so to eat in front of you without worry, and to sleep comfortably without fear. Choosing the path of a wildlife rehabber has its many stresses. It’s emotional, and at times can be traumatic but it is also beautiful, and so very worth while.