The Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation is an organization that’s busy year-round and they cover a wide area within the state. Castle Country Radio invited Facility Director, Debbie Pappas to come in to talk about the organization’s need for volunteers.

“We’ll we do a lot of work with injured, orphaned and sick wildlife; mostly injured, probably 90 percent of our patients are injured, in the spring it kind of changes. But we do the work that people think that the DWR does. DWR helps get them to us but they do not help injured, sick or orphaned animals that’s what a wildlife rehabilitator job is,” said Pappas. The DWR relies heavily on the medical services that Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation provides to wildlife animals. In turn, Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation works closely with veterinarians to get the injured, orphaned and sick wildlife animals back to health.

“We’re a hospital, think about it. Imagine walking into a human hospital and having one person do the surgery, check you in, feed you, clean you – it cannot be done, and also go get the patients, so we need help. It’s been difficult to find help that will stick through this, it’s a huge commitment. It can be very emotional work and we know that, that’s why there is only a handful of us, as it is heartbreaking a lot of the times. So we have to focus on those releases,” explained Pappas. The organization is always looking for volunteers who have special skills like electricians, plumbers or carpenters. This type of volunteer work would be perfect for someone who is retired and just wants to get out of the house to contribute their skills towards a great cause.

“There is so much involved with having a rehabilitation facility. It’s not all handling the animals, it’s not all dealing with medical issues. We have a facility that has to be continuously updated and repaired. We have work to be done, there’s that aspect of it as well. There’s something you can help with, believe me,” stated Pappas. Because of the type of work that is done at the facility a volunteer must be at least 18 years of age in order to volunteer at Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation.

To learn more about Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation visit their website or to obtain more information about volunteering please call Debbie Pappas at (435) 650-3441.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SECOND CHANCE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION