The Wildlife In Need Center will be hosting an event Saturday, July 27, to celebrate its 30th year of working to provide care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Executive Director Kim Banach said a world without WINC is unimaginable.
"The Board of Directors, our staff, our volunteers ... We just thank our passionate and generous community," said Banach. "Without them, we would not be here. The animals would have no place to go."
The nonprofit organization laid down its roots in 1994 and has provided care for 69,700 animals since, according to a news release from WINC. The organization's goal is to rehabilitate and release wildlife back to their native habitats. The center in the town of Ottawa operates every day, year-round.
WINC operates through funds from donors and private grants.
The center has been at its current location since 2012, according to marketing and administrative manager Robin Moore.
"We're kind of the first line of defense, if you will," said Moore. "The first line of help for the animals."
Activities taking place during the celebration include meet and greets with animal ambassadors, a morning bird walk, kids' games, face painting, a guided prairie tour, a raffle and book signings of wildlife-related books on the patio, according to the release.
The meet and greets are an up-close look at the animal ambassadors and a chance to learn facts about their species and hear about their stories. Only trained staff and volunteers will be able to handle the animal ambassadors, WINC clarified in a Facebook comment.
There will also be rare behind-the-scenes tours of the WINC wildlife rehabilitation hospital for attendees ages 12 and older. The tours are limited to 12-15 people per tour.
The meet and greet and celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at WINC, W349S1480 Waterville Road in the town of Ottawa.
WINC has a gift shop for souvenirs, too. They sell stuffed animals, T-shirts, some handmade bird houses and other items.
There is a suggested donation of $2 per person upon entry. All of the funds raised during the event will go to the WINC.
WINC operates similarly to a human hospital
WINC got its start in a one-bedroom house, according to the organization's website. There were a total of 18 animals admitted in the first month and 837 animals admitted by the end of 1994.
Both Moore and Banach said the wildlife rehabilitation center works similarly to a human hospital. Animals brought in by concerned residents are admitted, given a chart and examined in a separate room.
If concerned residents call, WINC is able to determine the best course of action and talk callers through the process of bringing an animal into the center, re-nesting a baby animal, reuniting an animal family or just helping a snapping turtle cross the road. WINC answers about 12,000 phone calls about wildlife situations per year said Banach.
The rehabilitation treatment differs between injured, sick or orphaned animals. However, each patient gets species- and age-specific food, a bed and professional care from the staff at WINC.
While animals transition through the different stages of their recovery and early life cycles, WINC changes the care plans and housing for animals based on their need, species and age.
WINC staff is careful to make sure that the wild animals don't get too attached to them, since it would make the animal dependent on humans to survive. This is one of the "wild behaviors" staff look for before releasing animals back into the wild.
Banach said that the ideal wild behavior wildlife rehabilitators want to see from animals before releasing them are avoiding humans, making moves to escape humans, independent foraging for their own food, and displaying defensive behaviors.
"We don't want them to jump on us. We don't want them to cuddle us," said Banach. "We want them to run, get away and look at us like, 'What is going on?'... We don't want them to be friendly to people. They're not going to survive like that."
The center also has a turtle hatching program. The turtles are hatched from eggs harvested from turtles that could not recover from a shattered shell (usually from being run over by a car) and died.
The eggs are placed into small, clear plastic containers filled with small pebble substrate and kept in WINC's egg incubator until they hatch. Once they hatch, staff bring the babies back to where the mother was found and releases them back into their natural habitat.
Educational opportunities at WINC
The organization also works with schools and other community organizations to raise awareness to the benefits that native wildlife bring to Wisconsin.
WINC offers many options for programs, including school programs, Scout programs, birthday parties, public booth displays and private meet and greets for their in-person educational opportunities.
The center also offers virtual options for its general program, school field "trips," special occasions and meet and greets.
Ways to help the Wildlife in Need Center
There are a variety of way to help the center's mission, but Banach said that the biggest challenge the center faces is having enough staff and volunteers to more efficiently meet the growing need of the community. Increasing animal admission only adds to the problem.
In April this year, WINC's admissions were up 70% compared to last year, according to Banach. She also said that wildlife rehabilitation centers across the country are seeing the same upward trend.
"Our community has been very generous with donations and generously supporting the mission, but the need never ends," said Banach. "We're always needing money to help our patients and continue our education program. We're always looking for volunteers."
Banach said wildlife rehabilitators know that some of the increased admissions come from a loss of habitat from human building developments.
The center also hires seasonal staff and interns. The intern program is one of the three International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Practicum accredited programs that give interns the skills to be successful in the wildlife rehabilitation career.
The center accepts both monetary and item donations, including earthworms, maple seeds, pine cones, nuts, acorns, berries and small tree branches.
It also accepts greens such as dandelion, kale, red and green leaf lettuce and romaine, according to the WINC website. Even with donations, WINC spends about $25,000 on food for animals per year according to Banach.
Volunteer opportunities are available through the Baby Bird Feeding Program for ages 12 and older. Twelve- to 14-year-olds must come with a parent or guardian to help feed the birds. Those 15 and older are able to volunteer in the Baby Bird Feeding Program without an adult.
All volunteers must complete an orientation first.
WINC also suggests some off-site projects for individuals or community groups. Projects include building a nest box or frog pond, planting a sunflower garden, creating a hummingbird feeder and making a bird perch.
Banach said her favorite part of the job is seeing firsthand how WINC and the community have been able to help animals around the area.
"The releases are always the best, but it's everything," said Banach. "It's this whole one big, giant heartbeat on this place that everybody collectively gives to."
Contact Angelika Ytuarte at AYtuarte@gannett.com.
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