1,000 Critters Being Treated at Lindsay Wildlife Rehab Hospital

Lindsay Wildlife Museum reports that the animal rehabilitation hospital has treated more than 1,900 animals in 2014—1,000 of which are currently receiving care. 

This influx of patients includes hundreds of injured and orphaned baby animals.

 Especially now in the busy season, support from individual donors and companies makes a huge difference in the number of animals saved through treatment, said officials at Walnut Creek-based Lindsay.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum volunteers this week issued a “Volunteer Challenge” to the public to support a springtime drive for donations. Lindsay volunteers pledged that they will match gifts totaling up to $17,500 from new donors.

 “The very first patients of the season in the wildlife rehabilitation hospital were a pair of baby Anna’s hummingbirds so small their nest fit inside the lid of an orange juice jug,” said Norma Bishop, executive director for Lindsay Wildlife Museum. 

“Like most animals we treat in the wildlife hospital, these hummingbirds require round-the-clock care. Frequently, a volunteer has committed more than 40 hours of selfless care for each animal before it can be released. Our volunteers’ service is all the more remarkable in light of the incredible match they have pledged.” 

A look at the numbers:

• Each year volunteers contribute 50,000 hours of care
• Lindsay Wildlife Museum invests $500,000 to treat wildlife patients
• There are currently 1,000 animals in care at the rehabilitation hospital
• During the busy season it takes 1,700 lbs. of kibble to feed the raccoons receiving care
• A two-month supply of formula for baby mammals costs $400
• The wildlife rehabilitation hospital treated 5,623 animals in 2013

“The true value of our work is to create safe and inspiring encounters between people and wildlife,” said Bishop. “Often our volunteers are the face of these positive interactions and this fundraising effort is no exception.”

To support Lindsay Wildlife Museum call 925-627-2961 or visit http://wildlife-museum.org/support. It is located at 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek.