THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - The mild winter is a plus for flower enthusiasts, but not for animal lovers. The warm weather is leading to early breeding all over the state.
Georgia wildlife rescuers are gearing up for a tough couple of months. "With this mild winter that we've had and apparently an early spring, wildlife rehabilitators are going to be having an extra long busy season," said Executive Director of the Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association Chet Powell.
Powell says people have misconceptions about wildlife rehabilitators. "They think that they spend all their time playing with the animals and it's just all fun, but it's mostly work. The animals are they're usually traumatized. They're injured. They bite, they scratch, or do other things."
In order to become a rehabilitator, you need a wide range of certifications and a natural instinct. "If we lose these people, the most experienced people, because they can't afford to keep doing it than we're in trouble because it takes a long time for somebody to get that expertise," said Powell.
Rescuers say the rehabilitator on St. Simons Island is really in trouble. "He tells me that unless he gets financial assistance, he may not last another month or two. And that's devastating any time of the year, but especially going into spring," said Powell.
The Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association says if you know that you have a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, they prefer that you support them directly.
They say if have any injured wildlife, the local facility is where they're going to go.
If you would like to donate visit www.georgiawildliferescue.org.
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