Wildlife Baby Shower

media release: Spring kicks off the busiest time of year for Dane County Humane Society’s (DCHS’s) Wildlife Center: baby season. Each year, the Wildlife Center admits hundreds of orphaned baby animals, including songbirds, ducklings, owlets, baby bunnies, and more.

This year’s first young patient arrived in mid-February. A Great Horned Owl hatchling fell from a tree when a big branch came down, destroying its nest. Upon admission to the Wildlife Center, licensed wildlife rehabilitators assessed and cleared the approximately 3-week-old owlet of any major injuries. With the help of local arborists and volunteers, the team successfully reunited the owl with its parents and sibling.

Caring for young wildlife requires time, expertise, and specialized resources to give them the support they need to grow and return to their native habitats. To prepare for the influx of baby animals expected in the coming weeks, DCHS’s Wildlife Center is holding a baby shower from April 4-11 to raise awareness, funds, and critical supplies needed to support these young patients.

Throughout the week, DCHS’s Wildlife Center will post daily on its Facebook page, facebook.com/dchswc, highlighting specific items needed and explaining how these supplies benefit young wild patients. Monetary donations are best because they give the Wildlife Center flexibility to meet the needs of the wide variety of animals coming through their doors. Thanks to a generous matching gift challenge given by Steve and Margie Holzhueter, all donations will be DOUBLED up to $2,500.

“DCHS’s Wildlife Center receives no federal, state, or local funding. Instead, we rely entirely on the generosity of our community to fund this lifesaving work,” says Lisa Bernard, DCHS Development and Communications Supervisor. “This baby shower helps ensure we have essential resources to provide the best care possible for the youngest and most vulnerable wild animals coming through our doors.”

To donate or shop the Wildlife Center’s wish list, visit giveshelter.org/babyshower. Items can be donated at 5132 Voges Road, or shop their wish list on Amazon, https://a.co/9DU35sH.

If community members find wild animals they believe may be injured, sick, or orphaned, please contact DCHS’s Wildlife Center at (608) 287-3235 before intervening. Staff can determine whether help is truly needed and the best next steps. For more information, visit giveshelter.org/wildlife.

How to donate:

Online: Go to https://www.giveshelter.org/?form=DCHSWCBabyShower26

Mail or drop off: Dane County Humane Society (5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718) with checks made payable to DCHS with “Baby Shower” in the subject line.

Shop the Wildlife Center’s Wish List: giveshelter.org/babyshower for various local stores including Mounds Pet Food Warehouse locations or on Amazon at https://a.co/9DU35sH.