Skunks and more skunks! Bats! Birds! and opossums...always opossums...and a snake surgery!
The year of the skunk
Last year was the year of the armadillo, this one is turning out to be the year of the skunk. Being licensed for so many species means my door is open to nearly everyone. I don’t pick and choose, I take whomever I have room for.
The Mushrooms!
Thanks To Erica Rollins- Hendrix and Sandice Thrasher, these skunks made their way safely to me. Although most are unrelated, they get along and I am collectively calling them The Mushrooms as they smell like mushroom soup to me.
Black rat snake gets emergency surgery
Miss Snake recovers
She is feeling much better and all systems are working, She’s eaten a few mice and digesting them appropriately. She will go back to the vet later this month to have her sutures removed, then back to the garden she lived in. Through a Facebook fundraiser we were able to raise enough to cover her emergency surgery. I am so thankful for my supporters and that many people regard snakes as an important part of our ecosystem.
Baby birds
Marsupial Madness
In other news
Hotline calls
Calls come in throughout the day and I wish I could help everyone. Sometimes the best I can do if direct them towards Animal Help Now.
There they can locate another rehabber based on their area or the specific species they need help with.Â
So many needy animals
I have maintained anywhere from 50 to 60 animals at a time for weeks now and as soon as I release a group of opossums, more animals come in to fill the space left behind.
Learning about skunks and what they need to be happy, how to meet their nutritional and activity needs, and manage any illnesses, has been an experience I never thought I’d have. It’s been a bit exhausting for my brain! I’m thankful to many mentors who have held my hand.
The new deluxe enclosure
Thanks to Rich Bergins, the new 8×8 enclosure now has a ceiling, protecting residents from sharp long roofing nails. I still need to re-staple the entire hardware cloth sides, and add shelves and logs, but once it’s done it will be a real gem. I can’t wait to introduce some new babies into it!Â
Rick and Shannon Waters donated an Amazon Gift Card which I have used exclusively to outfit this amazing enclosure. It has rope swings, willow lattice, an ivy privacy fence, shelving, a giant cat wheel, and Rich will help me build climbing structures.
It’s built so durably I may just move in myself. Hang up a hammock and mosquito net? I’m set.
Movie Time!
Last week's blog post was super brief, I hope this one makes up for it! Your continued support and involvement helps spread the word that help is available for wildlife. Not just here in Northeast Georgia, but all around the country.
Thank you Renee Radovich, Krista de Vries, Sandice Thrasher and Sydney Wakeford for many of the great photos of my crew.
