Admin Brimstonne

I actually did a program today, where we were teaching people how to build nesting boxes, and why using rat poison is actually killing the predators who eat them. You can look into your local area (most counties have at least one wildlife rehabilitation center) and look into volunteering there. For granted when you start it will most likely be the grunt work (cleaning cages, dealing with the carcasses of their left over food, etc.) But I find it a really rewarding way to honor my Gods, by teaching people why it is so important to take care of wildlife, and their ecosystems. Most of what I do is going to schools and teaching kids as to how they can help, and why its so important to not only respect wildlife, but to leave them alone. But being able to do that or handle the education animals generally comes after several month/years of volunteering and being taught. Most programs in place have a standard rule that no one under 16 can volunteer, and those who are under 18 have to have a parental waiver signed, in case an animal attacks them. I personally have been bitten by a snake, had raptors (birds of prey such as falcons and owls) swoop me and hit me with their claws.) You also have to make sure all of your shots, especially your Tetanus shot are up to date, and most people working with wildlife get it ever year instead of every 5 years. But to me its worth it. I get to get up close and personal to animals most people never see, Ive bottle fed orphaned barn owls, and helped with rabbits attacked by cats. But theres also funny moments. Have you ever seen a falcon run on the ground? They are not meant to be there, and its hilarious. You may even get to go and watch the ones who are able to be healed get released back into the wild,even as a newer volunteer. But there are also those who are unable to be healed, and are either too far gone to become educational ambassadors, or your center may already have one, and have to be put down.

Side note though, all wildlife rehabber have to be licensed by game and fish. Do not try to rehab any wildlife on your own, as it is VERY illegal. (Also remember that these are the laws applying to all of the U.S.) All rehabilitation facilities are volunteer based, and need all the help they can get, whether its helping to fund a new flight cage, nesting box, or helping to feed the animals (A single raptor eats more than 1000 rats in its life, which unless the rehaber breads its own rats, can amount to sever thousands of dollars per bird) or volunteering your time, I can guarantee that any help you can provide,will be greatly appreciated.

That is is so so so cool, Brim! That's actually a really cool idea for me to keep in mind for the future cause I don't wanna cease working with animals all together as I transition to human medicine.