While there are a lot of negative sentiments today concerning the state of our economy and the greed that had led us here, I am still grateful. I am grateful that there are many caring souls around us that donate their time and talent to a cause they believe in. I am grateful that these volunteers are helping to make this a better place for tomorrow. I am grateful that I got the help I needed.
It is still vivid in my mind. It was a cold and gloomy December afternoon. The streets were still covered with ice and snow from the winter blizzard we had a few days earlier. My husband ran into my office telling me that there was a wounded bird struggling on our balcony floor. We knew that we had to do something quickly. We clumsily rolled it into a box and took it indoor. I started calling veterinaries in the area. Unfortunately, many were closed either due to the holiday or the snow storm. Those that were open did not accept birds. After about an hour, we were lucky to be referred to the Aerowood Animal Hospital across town. We put on multiple layers of clothing and ventured to the hospital. An hour later, the bird was in safe hands.
We learnt from the hospital that it is part of a network of veterinaries that supports the Sarvey Wildlife Center, a Washington-based non-profit organization in Arlington. The Center was established in 1981 with the mission to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife, providing them with medical care, food and shelter until they are ready to be released back into the wild. By doing this, its ultimate goal is to keep our wildlife safe and reproducing, balancing our ecology. The Center runs the only ambulance service in Skagit, Snohomish, King and Pierce counties to pick up injured wildlife from network veterinaries and delivery them to the facility for rehabilitation. In 2006, it accepted in over 4,000 patients.
The Center also runs education programs for schools and the public to improve wildlife awareness. It conducts over 120 programs each year. There are also educational materials on its website. The Center is supported by local veterinaries who volunteer their services and funded through donation.
If you would like to find out more about the Sarvey Wildlife Center, please check out their website at www.SarveyWildlife.org. My husband and I were greatly relieved to know that the bird got the help it needed. This was the best holiday gift we could ever ask for. We were thankful that we are surrounded by generosity.