PO Box 713
Ithaca, NY 14851
(607) 200 4100
wildthingssanctuary@gmail.com
WTS is a registered 501(3)c non-profit public charity
Wild thing, you make my heart sing, you make everything groovy, wild thing.
Mission
Wild Things Sanctuary (WTS) is dedicated to helping native wildlife through rescuing and rehabilitating debilitated and orphaned/displaced animals until they are ready for release back into the wild. Eventually, WTS is also aiming to provide a sanctuary for non-releasable native animals.
WTS is also committed to improving the well-being of wildlife though public education; focusing on how humans can safely and peacefully coexist with native wildlife, and on wildlife’s importance to man and the environment.
The Story of Wild Things Sanctuary
All my life I’ve wanted to help animals, and to learn more about them. I have a few degrees in animal behavior and cognitive & brain evolution, and have worked in various parts of the world studying different species. But something was missing. I felt constrained by academic boundaries, which frown upon focusing on individual animals, their abilities, relationships, needs and expressions. Also, although I love domestic animals, I am not a “dog” or a “cat person,” but a “wildlife person.” How could I combine all of my interests?
About this time I moved up to Ithaca, NY to attend Cornell University. I found out that there was a Cornell Wildlife Health Clinic (WHC) (www.vet.cornell.edu/hospital/wildlife) that needed volunteers. In no time at all I got my required rabies vaccination and was volunteering a few times a week. Soon the wonderful veterinarians there promoted me to a supervisor of the clinic, which enabled me to oversee the recovery of many different types of animals, with many, many different types of injuries. After medical treatment most of these animals need to go some place to recuperate and to learn to be wild again. Baby animals often don’t need medical help but someone to look over them 24 hours a day and get them ready for their wild world. Could I help with this process?
Yes! In 2007 I took the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator exam (www.nyswrc.org) with a 99% passing grade! In August 2008 I was awarded my US Rehabilitation Federal Bird Permit (as most birds in the States are considered migratory species, rehabilitators need a federal permit to work with them). This means that I am now licensed to work with all NYS animals.
With licenses in hand I decided to open Wild Things Sanctuary in an unfinished room in my house. But how the heck was I going to raise the money for Wild Things? To drum up a little publicity and cash I shaved my head, all 26” of hair, and made a movie of the whole crazy process. So far the short YouTube video advertising the event, and my website www.hairlesscrusader.com has raised over $4000! This has enabled me to buy many supplies, cages & aquariums. Plus people have generously donated supplies. Wild Things Sanctuary (WTS) officially opened 1 January 2008! Since then, several outdoor enclosures have been built and my indoor unfinished room is now a finished great little hospital/first aid/recovery rehab center (many thanks to my contractor Mike Snyder & his crew)!
WTS received its incorporation status 6 February 2008, and in November 2008 the IRS deemed WTS a 501(3)c registered public charity. With its new non-profit status, WTS hopes to generate more ways to help more animals as it gives all donators tax-breaks, and will enable local businesses to donate supplies and manpower.
Here is a little video of some of WTS' first patients:
Take a look at the new Wild Things Sanctuary animal room!
