A squirrel tale

1. Something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor towards someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
2. The act of giving.
3. Something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned.

Tis the season!  You’ve heard it over and over the past few weeks, right?  It’s right around October 13th that the stores start creeping out their holiday wares- packing everything they can think of in Christmas themed box sets.  The blogs start to promote “the perfect gift” and the televisions begin the onslaught of holiday toy commercials.  Every year our heads are filled with images of big holiday trees packed with presents underneath, stockings overflowing with the latest gadgets, and happy children exclaiming that, “it’s the best Christmas ever!”

We’re all so busy getting ready for the holidays (you know what I’m talking about- running around to stores last minute, getting wrapping paper, scotch tape, and trying not to forget anyone on your list) that we’ve forgotten what a gift is- or, what it can be.  This year,  consider gifts that (I wish this didn’t sound so trite.  It’s trite but true…) keeps giving over and over again.  Over the next few days I’ll be highlighting a few gifts that honor this special season.  And while these aren’t specifically vegan gifts, they provide vital help to help those who can’t help themselves, the animals.

#1 – Donate supplies (or funds) to a wildlife rehabilitation center

One year when my terrier was still an unruly puppy, she chased a young squirrel along the backyard fence.  She’s done that a million times, probably will do it a million more.  I have a large backyard with extremely large trees and they house several squirrel families.  This particular squirrel was too young however, and the terrier was able to knock him/her off of the fence.  The poor little guy, there was blood coming from his mouth and he appeared stunned.  I would too after a six foot fall.  I knew that the squirrel needed medical attention and I knew the best thing was not to touch the little guy.  So, after removing the terrier from the scene, I called the local wildlife rehabilitation center.

Actually, I called the city’s wildlife department who connected me to a shelter which connected me to a volunteer person’s home which directed me to call a couple town’s over wildlife department that directed me to the county wildlife rehabilitation center.  But I digress.

The center told me to bring my little injured guy in.  I was able to wrap the little guy in a towel and put him in a cat carrier.  I loaded him up and drove him 40 minutes away to be looked at.  Thankfully he seemed fine, but they were going to house him for a few days.  While there I learned about all the programs that the wildlife center has, and watched as person after person just dropped animals off.  Birds, squirrels, snakes, rabbits, frogs (yes, really), and many more I’m sure I didn’t see.  The rehabilitation center took all the animals without so much as a drop off fee.  These animals will receive food, vet care, and rehab services- then they will be returned to the wild.

That means that this little guy here got to go back into the wild.

There are places like this all over the country- and if they are anything like my local(ish) center- they are in desperate need of community support.  I spent a great deal of time with the staff of the center that day, I found out that they had trouble securing funds for even the most basic of supplies.  I asked, and was given, a list of supplies that they regularly use and need on a constant basis.  I went shopping.  I bought everything that they had listed (things like tissues, cat food, dog food, bowls, paper towels, toilet paper, nuts, seeds, etc.) and it cost me $50- a small price to pay towards helping the little squirrel that I brought in.  Not that I had to buy everything on the list mind you, but I was fortunate enough to be able to- so I did.

So this season, consider giving a gift that is so desperately needed.  Check with your local government agencies or Google to find a wildlife rehabilitation center near you.  Most organizations will post their wish lists on their websites, making it easy to know which supplies they need.  It’s a gift that will warm your heart, and theirs.

Finally, a shout out to the Sanders Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for helping over 2,000 local wild animals each year.  Ya’ll rock.  Happy Holidays.