2 minute read
Member Spotlight | Wildcare Foundation Offers Safe Haven for Recovering Wildlife
By Meredith Rasnic | Marketing & Member Relations Intern
Noble, Oklahoma may be a small town, but there are big things happening at Wildcare Foundation that benefit over 7,000 injured and orphaned animals annually.
The Wildcare Foundation, located in Noble, is one of the top ten wildlife rehabilitation facilities of its kind in the country and many locals are not aware it even exists. As an OEC member, you may not be aware that Wildcare is powered by OEC, making this incredible organization a fellow cooperative member!
Executive Director Rondi Large founded Wildcare next to her home in 1984 when she saw a need to care for injured and orphaned wildlife in rural Oklahoma. In 1995, the Wildcare Foundation was established as an official nonprofit and has only continued to grow in size and the number of resources available for patients.
"We receive animals that are in what I call ‘crisis mode’ when they come in," said Large. "This usually means they have been hit by a car, attacked by another animal, were found snagged on fence or have flown into a window. As a result, we care for a variety of injuries, but the most common are shock, broken bones, deep wounds. Often, the animals we receive are struggling to survive.”
Upon arrival, injured animals are given a medical exam and staff members create a specific medical treatment plan tailored to their needs. Depending on how quickly the animal heals, they will progress from the critical care facility and move out to the large, outdoor enclosure. “
Some animals have to completely re-learn to eat and fly so we are excited to have the outdoor enclosure with tons of trees where they can practice basic life skills before returning home,” Large said.
It is Wildcare’s goal that every patient will eventually be able to be released back into the wild.
The organization just completed a 5,000 square foot building on its seven-acre property. Since its opening in 1984, over 80,000 wild animals have passed through the doors of Wildcare. Over 7,000 patients representing over 140 different species are treated annually thanks to thousands of willing rescuers and dedicated supporters.
If you are passionate about wildlife, director Rondi Large invites you to follow Wildcare Foundation on Facebook to see updates and learn about past and current patients.
“You can also make monetary donations to Wildcare via PayPal on our website,” Large said.
Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about Wildcare, seeing the facilities or donating to the mission of Wildcare, it will be hosting its annual baby shower on Saturday, April 27, from 2-5 p.m.
“Our supporters always want to see the facilities and we typically don’t have the time to show people around the property, so this is the perfect day to do so!” Large said.
OEC is proud and excited to power Wildcare Foundation and hope you too will look into supporting its mission and daily operations!
You can find more information on Wildcare and how to donate on its website at www.wildcareoklahoma.org.
