Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

What I Learned as a T.W.R.E.C. Volunteer

As I sit pondering what I have learned as a Tamarack volunteer; resident feline "Spitfire" is making herself at home on the desk on top of the paperwork I need to sort through.. She is purrrfectly happy playing with stamps, envelopes, my pen and papers, while I am trying to get some serious work done. We both momentarily pause at the sound of baby geese and other various birds from one of the sick rooms. "OK Spitfire" back to work! There are basically seven learning points I would like to submit as being a part of the volunteer experience:

1. For those who have a love for wildlife, hands-on volunteer work is an inspiring and overall positive experience. There is great joy in helping sick/injured animals get well and be released back to nature. There are sad times too, when we cannot save everyone.

2. Caring for animals is an enormous amount of work! It amazes me how effortlessly nature cares for and cleans up after itself. Humans trying to take that place requires continual effort, i.e., a lot of physical labor.

3. Animals need our help because there is so much against them. It is very common to receive animals hit by cars, or who have sustained injury because of human interference (accidental or intentional). Birds for example can become trapped in chimneys, fences, and fishing line. We also see many baby orphans who are left behind. Predators, harsh weather, and malnourishment are also factors.

4. Tamarack (and most centers like it) rely on a few people to do a lot. I am talking "skeleton crew". There is a lot of work that needs to be done and there are few to do it! On the same note, the center exists on a tight budget - "bare bones" if you know what I mean; which leads
me to my next point.

5. Tamarack would not be possible without generous and compassionate people who donate money, time, goods and services to the center. Together, a little goes a long way! Know that you are truly part of a wonderful mission, and if the animals could I am sure they would say "Thank You"!

6. There is a lot to know. When I first started here; I thought I knew about wildlife.....ummm wrong! There is so much to learn regarding each species. For example the exact kinds of food different species require, and the amount and frequency of feedings. Medications, if and when necessary, and how to use them. Keeping proper body temperature for example: baby wood ducks need to be kept at a strict 101 degrees. What kind of housing environment is needed at different stages of recovery. Sick/injured owls need to initially recover in a dark confined area, with a "nest like" support. Knowledge of bacterial and viral transmission is vital to the animals and care takers well being. Understanding the "recovery process" of different species according to their problem is important. For instance I learned that a bird or an animal with a head injury may suddenly recover in time and the way to tell is by simply observing their behavior on a daily basis. Like the raccoon we thought had been hit by a car, that one day started acting like a raccoon again. Lastly,the fine (and difficult) art of timing a recovered animal's release, which we all leave up to Sue.

7. I have mostly learned that I have a lot to learn! Fortunately, the more we learn the more appreciation we have for what we are learning about.