- a directory of wildlife rehabilitation centers
- profiles of centers and individual rehabbers
- tips for professional rehabbers
- laws regarding wildlife
- health hazards
- conferences and workshops
- supply centers
- question and answer forums
- permit information
CLOSE-UP: LA GUARDAR INC. WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER
Permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, La Guardar Inc. seeks a positive and cooperative relationship with all efforts to conserve our natural environment and resources.
Wildlife entering the center are examined and treated by the volunteer staff in cooperation with local veterinarians. They enter the rehabilitation program after being monitored and considered ready. Injured and orphaned wildlife are cared for until they can be released back in the wild in the vicinity where they were found, or to a suitable habitat where they naturally occur.
Wildlife that recover, but are permanently impaired are housed and are used for public educational programs. Or, they are given to acceptable zoological parks. Those that do not survive are donated to public educational or scientific institutions.
La Guardar Inc., in Webster, Florida, is publicly funded by memberships, donations, grants, bequests, and fund-raisers. It receives no governmental support and has no paid employees or officers.
FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT
Shelby Rodney Carter, Assistant Curator, Vice President, and Co-Founder of La Guardar Inc.
Shelby Carter (Rod) is the founder of La Guardar Inc. This is the account of how he got started:
"In the late spring of 1986, a gentleman entered our real estate and construction office. He inquired of my wife if she knew of anyone who could help an injured barred owl. On his way to work he had hit the owl with his car. The owl was in shock and had an injured wing.
'The upset gentleman was late for work, but he waited while my wife called the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. A representative informed my wife of a wildlife rehabilitation center located in St. Petersburg, Florida. She also informed her that the possession of even the feather of a bird of prey carried a stiff penalty, unless there was a federal and state permit involved.
"My wife and I owned a small cattle ranch at the time and were experienced in caring for animals. She knew that the owl would not survive the two-hour journey to the wildlife center. She informed the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish representative that she intended to care for the owl and asked her to send the necessary permit application. The representative agreed and gave my wife the address to apply for a federal permit.
"Relieved of his burden of the injured owl, the gentleman left a donation, along with the owl, and departed.
"Thus began the adventure of caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. My plans on retiring the following year to sail around the world ended.
"Word got around that my wife cared for wildlife, and a year later we were knee-deep in injured and orphaned wildlife. Lack of space and funding were becoming a problem.
"On five acres near our ranch, I had begun construction in early 1985 on what was to be our retirement home. It was a 1,200-square-foot building, with a kitchen, bedroom, bath, storage, and double carport. Our plan was to duplicate the building on an acre we owned in the mountains of western North Carolina. We planned to spend the seasons, when we were not sailing, at the two small homes.
"I enclosed the double carport and the building became a wildlife rehabilitation center. We sold the ranch and moved into the building along with the animals. A year later, I had completed a 1,500-square-foot home tied to the wildlife center by a foyer. During that year, I built numerous habitats to house recuperating wildlife.
"Beginning in early 1987, I set up La Guardar Inc., a nonprofit, tax-exempt, Florida corporation. The corporation is structured to provide immediate and continuing care to injured and orphaned Florida native wildlife. It is governed by a board, elected by the active membership. Officers are appointed by the board.
La Guardaris Spanish for "the keep," which is the center of a castle where things of value are gathered in times of peril. We believe that all wildlife is vital to the ecosystem, which is the very heart of all life."
THE UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES
"A career in wildlife rehabilitation, while it may not be very rewarding monetarily, is in so many other ways," Rod explains. 'The primary reward is the joy of seeing an animal released back into the wild after recovering from injuries. You also get to meet a special class of people who volunteer their time to care for wildlife. Knowing that you are giving something of value back is very rewarding. Wildlife, while they cannot speak to thank us, honor us with their spirit, antics, tenacity, and beauty.
'The downside is, without a doubt, euthanasia. But taking the life from an injured animal, while difficult, is sometimes the kindest thing we can do.
"Other downsides - we never get to travel. Wildlife requires constant attention. The hours are sometimes hard to manage. Rescuing an animal late on a cold rainy night has its drawbacks."
THE DAY'S WORK
"As assistant curator, I am involved in rescue and release, accounting, fund-raising, grant writing, habitat construction, and maintenance. I also edit a quarterly newsletter. The hours are long, normally twelve to fourteen hours a day. But the work is not stressful and it is never boring. Spring is our busy time of the year because of the many orphaned wildlife.
"We house a variety of permanent impaired wildlife, including eagles, hawks, kestrels, owls, songbirds, bobcats, opossum, raccoons, skunks, and reptiles. They require feeding morning and evening. During the day, habitats have to be repaired and cleaned and water provided. Not always a pleasant chore.
"I have learned that animals are not just species, but individuals. They have personalities much like Homo sapiens. For instance, Big Bob, a bobcat that we rescued, was used to train dogs to hunt. He had been wired through his hind legs so he could not escape. However, he managed to escape his tormentors and was found on the front porch of a home.
"Big Bob was found with numerous bites on his hind quarter, his legs were torn, and his hearing was impaired by mites that had eaten most of his ears. Because of his diet during captivity, he had developed fatty liver disease.
"It was nearly a year before Big Bob recovered from his injuries. He remains on a low fat diet. I have observed him converse with several of our domestic cats through the wire of his habitat. He remains proud and wild. He accepts his fate with dignity and provides me with many hours of pleasure watching him when he is not aware.
"We also have two young American eagles that were blown from their nest during the storm of the century. Their wings were damaged beyond repair. They are being trained to the glove for educational programs.
"The eagles, Stormy and Windy, are a joy to watch. They are like children growing up. They play with pinecones, limbs, and their food. In their pond, they bathe and argue with each other. Brother and sister, but she dominates. After four years their white feathers are just coming in. They are proud birds.
"I honestly would pay someone to let me work with wildlife."
A WORD OF ADVICE
"If you are interested in wildlife rehabilitation, you should volunteer at an established center. After you gain some experience, you may be able to find paid employment with some of the larger centers. Contact your local game commission or wildlife rehabilitators association. Also, check out wildlife rehabilitation on the Internet.
