The idea for Central Minnesota Wildlife Rehabilitation began in 2008 when a few wildlife rehabilitators recognized the need for a local rehab and nature center in our area. Prior to forming the organization, individuals in the organization cared for orphaned and injured native wildlife in their homes as entirely independent, donation-supported, permitted wildlife rehabilitators. “We often had to turn animals away or transport them to the closest facilities hours away because our cages were full. For years, we dreamed of “someday” having a place locally. When the city sold Heritage Park and Nature Center, and we watched the destruction of natural habitats for many native wildlife species, we realized the time had come to take action,” shared Robbi Hoy, President of Central MN Wildlife Rehabilitation. In 2019, they became recognized by the IRS as a charitable non-profit.
“Since starting the organization and becoming a non-profit, we have continued with the hope of a center, but for now, Central Minnesota Wildlife Rehab has allowed us to take in more animals in need of care. We have worked hard to raise money to help pay for vet bills, food, medicine, and cages. We’ve also been able to generate a little interest in our cause and now have a new rehabilitator working with us out of Becker, MN in addition to Greater St. Cloud.”
Rehabilitators are not paid by the state. Years ago, Robbi had her own gardening business and found an infant squirrel abandoned in her shed. “I had help and guidance from a wonderful woman – my mentor and trainer, Linda Peck – learning to care for this squirrel and loved it so much that I studied and took my test to become a rehabber myself. As the years passed, I found myself taking in more animals and taking more classes, and everything just exploded. I was a stay-at-home mom when this started, and now that my children have grown up and moved out, I'm now a foster mom and am here for children who need it, as well as the animals we’re rehabilitating.”
Wildlife rehabilitation isn’t always glamorous; they care for animals of all shapes and sizes – even the not-so-cute and friendly ones. “I think most people want to help the injured hawk or eagle they may come across, and fewer want to help the injured raccoon. We’re unique because we are the people willing to get up every two hours around the clock for feedings of newborn mammals or not leave the house because baby birds need to be fed every 20 minutes. Although it is illegal in Minnesota to care for a wild animal without a permit, many people try, and then we get the call when the animal is ill from improper care. The other thing that makes us different is we get calls around the clock from the public. Most are kind and understanding, but you’d be surprised how many get pretty nasty with us when we can’t leave our sick child's bed to help them with a bird their cat caught. Nonetheless, we’ll pick up the phone again the next time it rings. I guess we are pretty tough people, able to face all sorts of disturbing situations that not everyone can or is willing to.”
Thankfully, our communities have a great network, and Central MN Wildlife Rehabilitation has established relationships and partnerships with those who support their cause. “We have a private vet that works with us when we need it, and the Tri-County Humane Society has called us when they had a surplus of food donations, which we appreciate greatly. All of our funding is through donations. Our Wrap for Wildlife event is one of our biggest fundraising events each year. Our team wraps gifts in exchange for cash during the holiday season. We set up at Crossroads Shopping Center and are happy when people support our cause in exchange for us helping them prepare for the holidays.”
“I love that the vet clinics, animal rescues, humane societies, and conservation officers know they can count on us. We have gotten referrals from most veterinarians in the area and many across the state. We must be doing it right when we have had some of those connections drive for hours just to bring us a squirrel or an opossum. The most challenging thing about what I do is letting go and deciding that there is nothing else I can do to help a sick or injured animal. No matter how many times I do it, it is just as hard today as it was the very first time.”
“Although our current partnerships and fundraisers are great, we’re always looking for additional support. Since we don’t care for household pets, we haven’t been able to find a local pet store willing to partner with us. Another goal is to have a feed store (or any business) that supplies bird food, produce, or even meat – that’d be wonderful for us; we just haven’t found that partner yet. Members of the public have been our primary support, and we appreciate their kindheartedness so much!”
“I love teaching about wildlife. For years, I’ve tried to convince the city that we needed a nature center. Watching children who want to be away from screens to look for animal prints in the snow at a local park is so much fun and gives me hope for our future. People are so interested if you just give them a chance to learn about wildlife up close. I believe if we taught children about the lives of the animals around us, we would have close to a 75% reduction in the animals being orphaned and coming into care. We continually work to educate others on wildlife … that squirrel moms sometimes clean house and leave their babies on the ground, or that young birds can be on the ground for days before they fly, but parents are there caring for them. Most of the babies coming into care are taken with the best intentions, but even in our care, the survival rate is not half as good as it would be if they stayed where they were found. I love every chance I get to educate anyone willing to learn, regardless of age.”
There are several ways to support Central MN Wildlife Rehabilitation. Watch their Facebook page for information about their upcoming gift-wrapping fundraiser, or visit their website to learn more. “We always need food – seeds, nuts, suet, produce, meat, cereal, dog and cat food. We also always love to have volunteers help us wrap gifts at Crossroads shopping center during the holidays. We wrap from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. We’re also listed at Walmart, where you can add us as your charity and round up your amount, and have a wishlist on Chewy!”
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