Wildlife rescue and rehab site in Hillsdale

HILLSDALE

It’s all about the w ildlife at Pat’s Bandits Rescue and Rehab

By SARAH FORD For Shaw Media

It’s been a whirlwind at Pat’s Bandits Rescue and Rehab in Hillsdale s i n c e s p ri ng t i m e , w h e n t h e f i r s t orphaned and injured animals started coming in from the wild. From raccoons to squirrels to rabbits to possums, concerned citizens have brought in hundreds of helpless critters to licensed wildlife rehabber Pat Denzer of Port Byron and her dedicated team of volunteers this season.

The licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center officially opened in May at 8601 318th St. N. in Hillsdale, located on the frontage road by the I-88 exchange. The former office space has been converted to provide wildlife care and an industrial building houses her husband Norm’s venture, Pat’s Auction House, which provides funding for the facility.

On any given day, volunteers are coming in for shifts to help feed the animals, clean their cages, and take care of the nonprofits’ needs, such as laundry, dishes and prepping food. Last week, there were more than 50 raccoons of various ages, a mother opossum and two babies and a couple of baby squirrels and bunnies. The rescuers care for the orphaned and injured wildlife with the sole purpose of returning them back to the wild, where they belong.

Each animal has three rounds of feedings per day, though that fluctuates with the number of volunteers available. Feedings and cleanings are logged in a chart to account for individual needs, and each animal is named to make identification and communication easier. The raccoons always outnumber all the other critters in the facility.

It can be a dirty job, with smocks and gloves available for volunteers. The raccoons are noisy and a bit frenetic, but also amusing as they climb around like acrobats or stick out their hands to anyone who gets close to their cage. They eagerly watch and wait their turn to be transferred to the feeding cage.

After meals, there’s a few more hours of waiting in their cages, as comfy as can be on blankets and puppy pads while toying around with stuffed animals. Their time at the facility is temporary and once ready to fend for themselves, they’re released on private properties with lots of trees, a source of water, and away from busy roads.

“Every animal deserves a chance to live,” Pat said of her inspiration and motivation. “What makes wildlife any different?”

Most of the animals are in her care because of humans, whether mom got hit by a car or was trapped and relocated before homeowners realized she had babies in her care. Pat also works with local agencies and a network of rehabbers such as Calamity Jane’s Wildlife Refuge and Save the Wild Wildlife Rehab of the QC.

Photos by Sarah Ford for Shaw Media ABOVE: Volunteer Teri Richardson of Bettendorf measures out formula for one of the raccoons. Each animal at the facility is given formula based on their weight, plus dog kibbles and cheerios for additional snacks and nutrition. ABOVE RIGHT: Jason the raccoon is content after his feeding on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Pat’s Bandits Rescue and Rehab in Hillsdale. BELOW RIGHT: Wildlife rehabber Pat Denzer holds a baby opossum that’s currently in her care. Once old enough, the animals are released into the wild.

See PAT’S BANDITS, Page 8

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