Testimonials
As a child I pretended to be a super hero, as many kids seem to do. I ran around my house fighting imaginary crime and saving the day. As I grew older, that feeling of wanting a purpose followed me. I started my internship at Wildlife In Crisis at the beginning of baby season and it shocked me at how many injured and orphaned animals came through the door on a given day. Working nonstop to help the helpless was exhausting but it wasn’t until I released one of our healed red tail hawks at Hawkwatch that I realized what Wildlife In Crisis made me. They gave me the chance to be what I’ve always wanted to be ever since I was a kid, a hero; only instead of a cape I was wearing blue scrubs. Taking care of animals that have experienced tragedy and giving them a second chance at life and a second chance to be wild again. I will always be proud to say that I was an intern at Wildlife In Crisis, and I will carry the love from those that I have raised, in my heart, with me every day. And I just have to say Thank You to Wildlife In Crisis for giving me this unremarkable experience.
At Wildlife in Crisis,animals come in, sometimes barely alive, and you help
bring them back to health. Eventually you release them into the wild. I found this work very rewarding. WIC’s founder, Dara Reid’s dedication and knowledge are amazing, I respect her so much!
The work we do is so meaningful and important. This program has been the most amazing of my life! I have grown in ways I didn’t even know were possible. I loved every moment of this exceptional opportunity. This organization is truly amazing and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it.
A wonderful and life changing experience.
I anticipated gaining hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation, what I got was a whole lot more! The number and variety of endangered wildlife in need brought to WIC is truly mind-boggling and the quality of care each animal receives at WIC is extraordinary. My unique experience at WIC strengthened my resolve for a life-long commitment to helping wildlife.
I was a resident intern for WIC in the summer of ’08 and I continue to volunteer there on a weekly basis. My involvement with the organization has been immensely beneficial to both my personal and career development. WIC is a truly amazing organization that puts the well being of all wildlife before anything else. The organization’s dedication to the life of each individual animal is truly unprecedented. This is something I was able to experience while working for the organization. We worked all day and all night to ensure each and every animal received the care and attention necessary so that it could be released back to the wild. WIC saves thousands of injured and orphaned animals each year. Being able to be present during the releases of hundreds of animals was truly a gratifying experience that illustrated the importance of WIC in giving injured and orphaned wildlife the second chance that they deserve. The organization is expanding and deals with more and more animals each year. It needs funding so that it can further develop its facilities to care for the increasing number of animals it cares for. My experiences with WIC Founder, Dara Reid have been incredible. Dara is someone truly admirable who has dedicated her entire life to caring for wildlife through WIC.
As a former summer intern I had the chance to really see just how much hard work goes into making this organization a success. It’s great to see so many injured and orphaned animals have a second chance at life. Dara has put her heart into this place and without her, the staff and all the supporters, WIC wouldn’t be what it is today. Personally my internship was an experience I’ll never forget and it has given me the experience I need to pursue my career goals. I only wish I were able to continue volunteering at such a great place. I really don’t know how Dara manages to do everything she does. She really is an amazing person to have been able to start this whole organization when she was just over 20 and still be able to raise a family. WIC biggest challenge is not having enough space and money. Each year more non- releasable animals make WIC their permanent home and more releasable animals come in every year. It is a very small space and we always put a great deal of effort into conserving resources. I hope someday WIC can build their dream facility. They have plans for a new and improved facility but do not have the funds. With the money more animals could be cared for and be given permanent homes if needed.
Wildlife in Crisis will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I was introduced to new animal species, where I learned how to care for injured and orphaned wildlife, and where I saw firsthand the types of dangers animals are exposed to. I can’t imagine ever forgetting the people, animals, and experiences that were involved in my internship here.
Wildlife in crisis has inspired me to lead a more compassionate life and to take greater action for the conservation and protection of our local wildlife. The internship provides a rare glimpse into the lives of animals whose presence we often take for granted. Every animal that comes through these doors has its own story and hardships, and being tasked with their care not only gives any student of veterinary medicine or aspiring rehabilitator the methods necessary to become a skilled animal caretaker, it also opens your eyes to the private lives and struggles of these beings that are living alongside us in our communities and neighborhoods. Whether you are pursuing a career in wildlife care or otherwise, this work is deeply rewarding and will lay the groundwork for anyone who wants to become an advocate for animals and the environment.
Some of my fondest memories are from the summer I spent interning at Wildlife in Crisis. As an animal lover, being surrounded by so many species everyday was mind blowing, and knowing that I played a direct role in their path back to the wild was among the most satisfying feelings I have ever had. The breadth and depth of knowledge and handling experience I gained is unmatched even now as a vet student at the University of Pennsylvania. I only wish there were more resources like Wildlife in Crisis for injured wildlife around the world, but I without a doubt will use everything I learned as a practicing vet.