My Educational Trip To "The International Wildlife Rehabilitator's Symposium" in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sharon Wilder Start Date: Aug 21, 2014 - End Date: Nov 28, 2014
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Volunteer Trip
  • United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Sharon Wilder Start Date: Aug 21, 2014 - End Date: Nov 28, 2014
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Volunteer Trip
I have joined "FundMyTravel" as I wish to attend the "International Wildlife Rehabilitator's Symposium" (http://theiwrc.org/symposium) December 1st through the 6th in Cincinnati, OH. At this symposium professionals from the world over will be providing presentations and workshops such as "Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation" for $150 and "Pain and Wound Management" for $105 and Zoonoses for $65. With courses and workshops like these I can gain a wealth of knowledge as well as "hands on" experience that I can get no where else.  The costs are broken down, not all inclusive, and the Symposium itself has its own fee just for attending. At this symposium I can network with organizations from all over the world and in doing so I can arrange to go to their Rehab in the future to work with their indigenous animals and also share my knowledge and experience with them. Next year the Symposium could be anywhere in the world and thus much more expensive. 

I have just formed my own wildlife rehabilitation organization called "WWRR" or "Wilder Wildlife Rehab Ranch", dedicated to my late father. As a family, he took us traveling and camping all my life, exposing me to the truly wild places and animals throughout our beautiful country. Since I am new I have not yet had a chance to create my 501(c)(3) Non-Profit. Your donation today may allow me also to do this so I may allow you tax deductions in the future on your donations. I will form my non profit out of the first dollars I receive so the rest may be tax deductible.

I have volunteered in the past and that gave me a great start but the more knowledgeable I am the sooner the more prepared I'll be for emergency situations such as the poor squirrel I rescued that was shot with a BB gun in the head.

On September 18th of this year I attended the Florida Wildlife Rehabilitator's Symposium in Haines City, FL. It was a little too far from my home to travel there each day so I chose to camp in what ended up as a very leaky tent. I tried to save as much money as possible but though I had camped all my life, Florida wind and rains can be a little rough. Cincinnati will be a little too cold to camp so I do need to stay at the hotel.  I had to obtain a loan to go to this symposium and since it was at 25% it was very costly, thus I am seeking funds to pay reimburse me partially for what I spent as I did not have enough time to obtain funds any other way a head of time.

I was in a car accident in 2003 which interrupted my career and education (I have a BS and Grad course under me working toward Veterinarian along with a BA and Paralegal Certification from the same University). I have now found a way to work around some of my disabilities to continue my work rescuing wildlife and maybe even slow down extinction. After having such a long rehabilitation myself I realize sometimes the healing process can take years and some things never go back to normal. I still have some rough spots and am still working with doctors to relieve pain and symptoms but with assistance from volunteers and working my own schedule I have been able to really do some good. 

You may find me on Facebook and see that I am a legitimate, caring, educated person who is well settled in my life and highly motivated in my endeavor. Any donation will be extremely appreciated right down to the dollar and I will keep an open book on funding and expenses for the organization so you may see how much good your donation of your hard earned money does...  God Bless You and... Live Long and Prosper!
  • United States of America

Updates

1

  • I FOUND WILD BABY COTTONTAIL RABBITS

    I recently took in three wild Cottontail babie bunnies here in Florida. Unfortuantely, two were inured by the owner's dog and did not survive. Baby cottontail rabbits are the most difficult of all furry wildlife orphans to successfully raise or rehabilitate but the remaining bun I call, Lucky, is now up to 60 grams. I still pray every minute he remains healthy. I have to say I have found no other baby animal quite as adorable but since I have raised domestic rabbits all my life as loving companions I am partial.

    Like all wild prey animals cottontail rabbits are very easy to fatally overstress. They mature much faster than domestic rabbits and when the go down hill, they do so very fast and it is almost impossible to reverse their failing health.

    So, in that respect, I urge anyone who has found orphaned wild rabbits first of all to leave them alone AND do NOT FEED a cold animal!!!! If you notice injuries or a damaged nest rub some grass into your hands for "smell" and then try to rebuild the nest with local grasses to resemble the orgininal nest as much as possible. Gently place the buns back into the nest and cover with small twigs and leaves. Check back in the evening to see if the nest is disturbed and that they buns are ok. This is a definite indicator that the Mom has come back and you can just walk away.  

    If you find injured or malnourished buns take them in and keep them in a quiet, dark, warm place in a very small box and call a wildlife rehabilitator. You may want to put a warm water bottle in with them covered with a nonloop piece of cloth and hay if you have it. Make sure you keep the water warm or chilled water could draw some heat from the buns themselves.

    Do - Not - Feed - Baby - Wild Rabbits - Anything! or Any Other Wild Baby You Find. You must be State Permitted to rescue any native wildlife and baby wild buns have a very specific diet that anything else would otherwise cause their demise. 

    We all feel like we are doing such a good thing and worry so much about their survival when we find infant or injured animals. And....as long as you take in a few facts about the specific species say on the internet under "I Found a Wild (name the animal here) and call a local wildlife rehabilitator you are the best saviour they can have.

More Travel Information