The annual von Arx Wildlife Hospital Baby Shower is Saturday, June 3rd, but you can participate from now through June 17th! It's entirely virtual and a great way to support our work to care for injured, sick and orphaned native baby animals this breeding season.
Multiple ways to support the 2023 Wildlife Hospital Baby Shower!
Join us for a special event at Ankrolab Brewing Company
June 17 | 12pm - 11pm
Join us at Ankrolab Brewing Co. for a family-friendly day benefiting the von Arx Wildlife Hospital and the influx of baby animals in our care. All day long, from 12 pm to 11 pm, Ankrolab will be donating $1 every time you order one of their new specialty beers.
From 3 pm to 7 pm, meet a few Conservancy staff members and learn more about the work we do inside the wildlife hospital as well as all of the other work we do to protect Southwest Florida's water, land, wildlife, and future.
In addition, there will be a fantastic food truck on-site throughout the event. Indulge in delicious eats while supporting a great cause!
As part of our monthlong Wildlife Baby Shower, we will also be accepting donations of items that you can find on our Wildlife Hospital Wish List - items that we are always able to put to use inside the hospital, help us work more efficiently, and allow us to provide the best care possible to all of our patients. A list of those items is provided below.
We hope to see you there!
Donation Dropoff
If you are able to bring any of the following items to Ankrolab, we will certainly be able to use them!
- Paper towels
- Unscented trash bags -13gal & 33gal
- Free & clear laundry soap
- Cotton balls
- Dish soap
- Hand soap
- Dishwand and/or dishwand refills
- Cheerios
- Blue ink pens
- Sharpies
- Dry erase markers fine tip
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Whiteout
- Copy paper
- Vinyl gloves
baby season is in full swing
Each spring, the longer days and warming temperatures trigger many native animals to begin breeding and nesting. This increase in activity results in a surge in admissions to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital; animal admissions DOUBLE during spring and summer months.
Here in Florida, we have just two seasons – wet and dry. Beginning in late spring or early summer, as the rainfall increases, the wet season takes over. During this time, the vegetation growth rate increases, causing an uptick in lawn and yard maintenance. Many species such as eastern screech owls, northern mockingbirds and more, use trees, shrubs and other foliage to house their nests. Other species such as eastern cottontail rabbits nest on the ground at the base of trees and shrubs. Increased tree trimming, mowing and yard work can cause serious damage to those nests and their inhabitants.
Some tips to help!
Always be sure to check the lawns, trees, shrubs and surrounding areas before mowing, trimming or removing branches. If you do spot an active nest, it is best to leave it alone until the babies have left the nest for good.
When deciding whether a baby animal is in need of assistance, there are a few things to keep in mind. Not all species care for their young the same. Some are with the babies to offer care and protection, while some watch from close by. Others will leave the area for periods of time in hopes of drawing less attention to the nest or burrow.
If you are unsure how to proceed after spotting signs of an active nest in your yard, or if you spot a baby animal on its own, it’s best to call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital to speak with one of our wildlife rehabilitation professionals at 239-262-CARE. They will help you to determine the best course of action and walk you through each step. Some cases might require the animal to be left alone, but if there is sign of an injury or no sign of the parents for an extended period, the animal may need professional care.
