Update: Have a Heart

During this period, our Have a Heart fund activities were focused on a litter of nine puppies. They were orphaned at the age of 3 or 4 days when their mother was hit by a car and died. The puppies required frequent bottle feedings the first few weeks. Staff members took them home over the long holiday weekends to care for them. They are now eating on their own, growing fast, and will soon be old enough to be spayed/neutered. They all have owners waiting for them. At left is a Have a Heart puppy at two months of age.

Reminder: If you are looking for a new cat or kitten, check with us as we often get kittens in the spring.

Contributors during this period include the following:

* Estelle Johnson
* Robert Murphy
* Elizabeth Porta
* Dave Cummings
* Cynthia Schell
* Mike Miller
* Linda Boland
* Vickie and Kelsie Taylor (In memory of George and Betsy)
* Michael and Christa Setunsky (In memory of Blackie)
* Joan Hughes (In memory of Cujo)
* Kevin Raymond (In memory of Ming Vreeland)

Community Spotlight: Wildlife Rehabilitation

Our hospital works with many worthy groups in the local area. Last quarter we highlighted the Pet Assistance League. This quarter we would like to feature the dedicated and unpaid volunteers who do wildlife rehabilitation. Our hospital works with rehabilitators by providing free medical support for sick or injured wildlife. The rehabilitators provide follow-on care until the wildlife is ready for release.

Although our hospital works with several rehabilitators, this article features Marty White.

A lover of animals all her life, Marty has been an official wildlife rehabilitator for 13 years. Her husband, David, also a licensed rehabilitator, shares her love of wildlife. Marty works with the Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Manassas and the Northern Virginia Wildlife Rescue League.

During the spring wildlife rehabilitators are especially busy with many injured and orphaned babies. Marty acquires wildlife from various sources: CROW, the Northern Virginia Wildlife League, veterinarians, police, shelters, and the general public. Although she works with a variety of wildlife, she enjoys squirrels, rabbits and raptors the most.


Marty's advice for people who find orphaned or injured wildlife is simple:

1. First, keep them quiet and warm in a small box. Do not feed or water them.
   
2. If you find orphaned or sick wildlife, contact Marty at 703-878-1238, but no later than 8 PM. If she is not available, you may contact the wildlife rescue hotline at 703-440-0800 or if the animal is severely injured you may call our hospital. Marty does work but will contact you as soon as possible.
   
3. Do not keep wildlife as pets. Cute as babies, wildlife can revert to their wild ways when fully grown. In fact, it is illegal to keep wildlife as pets and the county can fine violators.
   

If you are interested in being a wildlife rehabilitator volunteer, contact Marty. Although there is no formal training for wildlife rehabilitators, there is a formal licensing require- ment. New volunteers must work for 2 years as an apprentice under a licensed rehabilitator. Then they must do six hours of study every year in order to renew their license. For example, Marty takes classes at the Waynesboro Wildlife Center.

Contributions of paper towels, baby blankets, and dog food (for birds) are always welcome. Monetary contributions can also be made to CROW, 9006 Dove's Lane, Manassas, VA 20112.