Wings welcomes possible foster parents

By Fred Groves

Raise, rehabilitate, rescue, release and educate.

That is the motto that backs Amherstburg’s Wings Rehab on the Middle Side Road and recently, visitors were on site to be educated on how to care for some very wee creatures.

The day focused around introducing the public to the possibility of taking home a baby squirrel or racoon and feeding and nurturing it until it becomes a little bigger.

“Our foster parents raise them until they can eat on their own and then they bring them back here,” explains Lynn Moore at Wings Rehab.

Since 1991, any and every possible type of animal and bird has found its way to the sanctuary and Moore and the team at Wings Rehab exemplify the true meaning of patience and caring.

“Everything that can be released is put back into the wild,” said Moore.

As she gently eased a 10-day batch of racoons out of their sleeping quarters to be fed, Moore says, “we try and pass on only the ones that are healthy.”

Fostering an animal from Wings requires a monumental commitment in that they need to be fed, with an eye dropper every three or four hours. That was something Hollie James of Windsor was willing to except.

While she did not know if she was taking home squirrels or racoons, James was certain that she wanted to be a foster pet parent.

“I am open to new possibilities. I’d love to foster a fox,” said James.

Ironically Wings Rehab has a shy little fellow with looming eyes that is five-weeks old. According to staff he took a fall off a 60-foot bluff. His sibling did not survive but once he is a little stronger, he will be going back to his natural habitat.

James was paying attention to all the advice by the volunteers and staff at Wings and said that she once brought in an owl to be taken care of. There is a small owl at the centre but it, like the fox seems to be improving.

“I’ve loved animals since I was little. I went on a lot of adventures with my dad,” said James who has fostered in the past.

Currently, Wings Rehab has 22 possums in their care as well as the baby squirrels, racoons and assorted creatures like the four-week horned owl who fell out of a tree. A bald eagle, coyote, and deer all call Wings Rehab their permanent home.

Anyone wishing to foster, volunteer or bring out food and especially heating pads without the automatic shut off can call 519-736-8172.