After a long winter, housing many birds so they could be released in the spring, we turn our attention to spring babies. We already have had many baby bunnies arrive, 2 Great Horned Owlets and an Eastern Screech Owlet also. The bunnies are being raised by Darlene, the bunny whisperer, and Starry, our Great Horned Owl ambassador is taking care of the 2 owlets while Henrietta cares for the screech owlet. We are so fortunate to have such terrific ambassadors that help us with baby animals as well, being surrogate moms to them.

We have been blessed this year with a $10,000 grant from R.E. Olds Foundation to help us pay for our radiography machine. Last year, Capital Area Community Foundation granted us $20,000 to remodel the raptor room, and The Nordic Fire Festival donated $5,000 to also assist with the radiography machine. We are hoping to raise the other $8,000 to complete the purchase of the radiography machine soon.

Our volunteers continue to be the backbone of WILDSIDE. While I am working full time, they are at the center cleaning, feeding and medicating the wildlife in our care. We are always looking for more volunteers! Please email me at: LSagaert@aol.com in you are interested.

We also need to thank our amazing veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Vincent, who answers texts late at night, early in the morning and makes trips to WILDSIDE for check ups and surgeries. Without her expertise, we would not be able to care so well for the animals.

If you have an animal that needs help, please CALL us at 517-663-6153, so we can give appropriate advice, admit the animal or refer you to another rehabilitator.