Thank you for watching August’s story.

We created the video from the point of view of August the skunk so you could connect with one small wild soul. It’s light-hearted and a little playful on purpose — because these stories can be heavy.

Behind that video is the real, ongoing work of a remarkable woman: Leslie, who runs a small wildlife rehabilitation center in Long Island that rescues orphaned and injured animals from all over New York. For decades she’s been a quiet, steady presence for the most vulnerable beings — first as a foster mom for children (adopting two of them), and now for wild animals.

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August’s Story

We met Leslie through August. * We (Giandri Taveras and Antonella Alberti) were just walking through Forest park like any day when we found our injured baby and after numerous dead ends and phone calls we connected with Leslie and brought to her for emergency care. She gave him pain relief, checked for rabies, and when it became clear his head injury had left him blind, she arranged for a trusted wildlife veterinarian to give him the intensive care he needed.

As of the last update, August is alive but blind, receiving ongoing care at the vet — a chance he wouldn’t have had without Leslie’s quick action and compassion.

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Who Leslie Is

Leslie has been rescuing wildlife since childhood, when her father brought home orphaned raccoons.

She later fostered and adopted children, and has always devoted her life to those who need someone to step in.

Today she’s one of the very few rehabilitators in the region licensed to care for raccoons, skunks, opossums, and bats — species that most wildlife rehabbers can’t accept.

Calls for help come to her from all five boroughs.

Springtime is the busiest season.

Dozens of orphaned baby raccoons arrive at once.

They need bottle-feeding, vaccinations for parvo and distemper, parasite treatment, and months of care before they can be moved to partner sanctuaries for a gentle “slow release” — learning to fend for themselves safely in the wild.

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The Reality

This work is sacred but expensive:

• Formula: about $90 per bag, sometimes a bag a day during peak season.

• Vaccines & Deworming: nearly $9,000 per year.

• Enclosures: need upgrades to safely house the growing number of rescues and prepare them for outdoor life.

Leslie has never asked for help — but we believe a person who has spent her life caring for others deserves support.

To honor the higher purpose and new beginnings this work represents, we set our goal at $11,111.

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How You Can Help

Every contribution goes directly to the animals’ care:

• $20 feeds a wild baby for a day

• $50 covers vaccines for one animal

• $100+ helps fund the new pens and enclosures needed for slow release

ALTHOUGH ANY AMOUNT TRULY HELPS ! DONATE WITH YOUR HEARTS INTENTION

By donating, you’re helping Leslie continue to be a safe haven for these wild souls — and making it possible for more animals like August to have a real second chance.

✨ Thank you for being part of this kindness.

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