Unsung Animal Advocates

Late one afternoon my technician entered the busy treatment room carrying a brown paper lunch bag. It looked like it had been blown up and then tied at the top. She held it away from herself and the bag seemed to be jumping and periodically one section would pop out. The technician appeared a little concerned with this mysterious jumping bag. She thrust the bag in my direction, unwilling to set it down since it was already very mobile. ‘Some ladies found this at the park, birds were pecking at it’, she said dryly. I opening the bag cautiously and inside discovered an extremely disgruntled and indignant fledgling bird. With some difficulty the small bundle of energy was removed from the bag and examined. One eye was indeed abnormal, but the baby looked to be in otherwise good health. I replaced it in its bag and walked to the phone. In on few moments I was speaking with our area wildlife rehabilitator. In a short time, Pat was at the hospital and taking our little bird into her expert care.

I think we would all agree that these times are tough, jobs are few, and housing expensive, day to day living is a full time obligation. Yet there remains a large population of really exceptional people that volunteer their time, energy and finances towards the care, feeding and rehabilitation of animals, both wild and domestic. People like Pat, with Southeastern Michigan Wildlife Rescue, who devotes her time around the clock feeding fledgling birds, orphaned deer and other wildlife then being sure that they are rehabilitated and released. My friend Sharon, donates part of her boarding kennel towards the care and housing or rescued Bull Terriers, until they too are rehabilitated and can find a new home. Then there is the army of people that are caring for orphaned kittens right now (this is ‘kitten season’), getting up at all hours, transporting kittens to work so they can be fed on a lunch hour, and then finding homes for each one when they are ready for adoption.

Literally, an army of animal advocates is out there. Their work is unending; each animal is given their unwavering commitment and attention.