Wildlife rehabbers partner to improve services; seek volunteers

A new coalition of licensed wildlife rehabbers in the Pacific Northwest — known as the Association of Rehabilitators for wildlife, or AIR — are teaming up to provide better care to wild animals in Idaho.

Three of the groups within AIR working together include the American Heritage Wildlife Foundation in Clark Fork, Raptor Freedom Project in Clark Fork and Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehab in Moscow. Other nonprofits within AIR included Mystic Farm in Sagle, Birds of Prey Northwest in Saint Maries, Snowdon Wildlife in McCall, Idaho Black Bear Rehab in Garden City, and RM Bird Center Boise and Animals in Distress, both in Boise.

There are seven regions in Idaho, said Kathleen St.Clair-McGee, founder of the American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, but only three are represented by licensed wildlife rehabilitation nonprofits.

Right now, she said, there’s no good way for community members to know how to support their own local wildlife rehabilitation centers, much less those statewide.

By combining efforts, St.Clair-McGee said, the groups will be able to build working relationships and provide better care for wildlife by bringing in more expertise and shared resources.

The Raptor Freedom Project, for instance, recently obtained a Leadcare blood analyzer with tests for lead poisoning, along with tools for lead poisoning treatment and an oxygen concentrator.

The Palouse Freedom Project provides access to an operating table and anesthesia machine. And all of the rehabbers provide their unique experience and expertise.

The new association also means there will be a need for more volunteers to help them run their programs, St.Clair-McGee said.

Positions for volunteers include hands-on work such as wildlife rescue and transport, as well as care assistants, she said. However, AIR will also be in need of volunteers for things like phone operations, animal health research, education, fundraising and other programs, some of which can be done remotely.

“There’s a bunch of stuff that can take place behind the scenes,” St.Clair-McGee said. “A lot of the time it might only take 5 minutes, but that’s the 5 minutes the rehabber doesn’t have.”

Members and directors may apply for any committee(s) including wildlife rescue team, welcome wagon, supplies and inventory, public relations committee, fundraising committee, animal records, outreach and correspondence, projects planning, education committee, wildlife health, licenses and regulations and standards of operation.

There are also internships available within the AHWF and some other organizations, St.Clair-McGee said.

More information about the AHWF and AIR can be found at ahwf.org and airforwildlife.org