Page 32 - Harnett Life Winter 2022

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Baby season has come to an end for the 2021 year, but that doesn’t
mean that the wildlife rehabbers at A Wild Life: Center for Wild-
life Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release will not be busy looking
after animals! Several baby squirrels and possums were admitted
to the wildlife rehabilitation center in the late Fall and will “win-
ter over” with the rehab until Spring. These babies will actually
be grown and ready for release between December and January,
but harsh weather conditions during these months make finding
food and a place to sleep difficult. We want our animals to be suc-
cessful when returning to the wild so waiting for warmer weather
and better food opportunities is a must before we release them.
A Wild Life will also be preparing to accept many adult animals
during the bitter cold months. Hypothermia, starvation, and ema-
ciation are results we frequently see because of the lack of food
supply. When the body doesn’t get adequate nutrients, energy
is lost, and it becomes harder to maintain warmth. Every day
that an animal goes without food, makes the next day of hunting
even more difficult due to decreasing strength in physically being
able to find a meal. Once an animal has fallen to emaciation, our
rehabbers face the challenging task of reintroducing nutrients to
the body, which the body so often rejects because it has gone so
long without food. A Wild Life will also see an increase in their
intake of animals hit by vehicles as it is common for wildlife to
search road sides and highways for something to eat during the
winter. Hunting season during this time is an additional cause for
animals to be in need of help from the rehab center. Animals may
suffer injuries from being shot or they may become severely ill
from eating carcasses that have been hunted using lead bullets.
Winter is a trying time, but A Wild Life is dedicated to doing all
that they can to provide comfort, relief, and rehabilitation to our
wildlife friends. The rehab is currently in need of canned dog
and cat food, dry cat food, wild bird seed, gently used towels
and blankets, paper towels, and fragrance-free laundry deter-
gent. Monetary donations are always welcome. Donations can be
mailed to or dropped off at 6422 Seventh Street Rd. Lumberton,
NC 2858. If you are an Amazon Prime member, please sign up
for Amazon Smile and choose A Wild Life in Lumberton, NC as
your charity. Amazon Smile will donate money to your charity
every time you shop at no extra charge to you. A Wild Life can
be contacted via phone at 910-876-7688 or 910-225-0732. If you
are online, like and follow their Facebook page or visit their web-
site at www.rehabawildlife.org. Please also feel free to contact A
Wild Life if you are interested in volunteering and helping save
lives, rescue, or transport animals. A Wild Life would like to say
thank you to all of their supporters and wish everyone the Hap-
piest of Holidays!

Harnett Life ~ Winter 2022