Wildlife Rescuers Hear the Call of the Wild

ARLINGTON — People can love wild things just a little too much.

Wild animals that people save and try to make into pets often do not need saving, are not gentle with children and have problems becoming domesticated. Sometimes, people unwittingly kidnap animals that have become separated from their parents, which are hiding nearby.

"We’ve had people with children who believe that this would be a good experience for them," said Bonnie Bradshaw, education director for Wildcare, a volunteer organization that cares for ill, injured or orphaned native wildlife. "These are animals that sometimes bite, scratch, have parasites. If people have small children at home, that’s not a good combination."

Wildlife rescuers were at Epworth United Methodist Church in Arlington on Saturday training more than 300 people in the proper methods of feeding and housing wildlife to prepare the animals for a successful return to their natural habitats. More than 400 people signed up for the initial workshop, and a second date was added for March 29 to accommodate those interested in the course, Bradshaw said.

"We’re taking up so much of their habitat, and it’s sad," said John Suggs, Presbyterian Night Shelter retired executive director and a prospective volunteer who attended the workshop. "I think that the least we can do is help them survive and find them other places to live."

The rehabilitation volunteers also kicked off efforts to establish a wildlife intake center that they anticipate will be located along the Texas 360 corridor. It will take about $500,000 in donations to have an operational intake center, Bradshaw said.

Saturday’s turnout meant a lot to wildlife rehabilitators such as Lisa Phillips, who said she cares for more than 200 orphan squirrels a year. The volunteers dig into their own pockets to pay for the animals’ care. Phillips said she spends about $75 for each orphaned squirrel she returns to the wild. Recently, Phillips took care of a squirrel with a bacterial infection, and that cost her family about $300, she said.

"If I could take care of only about 100 a year, that would be great," Phillips said.

Having an intake center will decrease the number of calls people have to make for help or information and cut down on the number of trips people have to make to the homes of rehabilitation specialists to get help for orphaned animals, Phillips said.

"While I don’t think that everyone who was here today will volunteer to help raise animals in their homes, I think there are a lot of people here who wouldn’t mind sacrificing four hours a month at an intake center or to help us with just feeding the animals," Phillips said.

"Despite all the negative things that I said about it, it’s the most rewarding experience that I’ve ever had, except for being a mother."

Call of the Wild II

Because of the response to the announcement of the first workshop, Call of the Wild, 100 people were asked to attend a second workshop, Call of the Wild II. Space is still available.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29

Where: Epworth United Methodist Church, 1400 S. Cooper St. in Arlington.

What: Licensed wildlife rehabilitators from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will teach prospective volunteers how to feed and house animals and release them back into the wild.

Registration deadline: Advance registration is required by March 22 for the workshop, which is open to anyone 18 and older. A $10 donation is requested. You can register online at www.wildcaretx.com, or call 817-737-0911 for more information.

Donations: You can donate money to Wildlife Inc.’s efforts through their Web site at www.wildcaretx.com or call 817-737-0911. Donations are being accepted for a planned intake center, and Wildlife Inc. is also accepting donations of retired animal-care items such as kennels, feed, water dishes, bird cages and towels.

Wildlife assistance: Trained volunteers from the DFW Wildlife Coalition staff a conflict resolution hot line to assist the public with wildlife issues. These volunteers can help people determine the best option for an orphaned animal and have access to rehabilitation specialists. Call 972-234-9453 or 972-234-WILD, or contact them at www.dfwwildlife.org.