Stand with Steadfast: End Zoning Threats

Save Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. from Unfair Zoning Violations

The City of Tifton, Georgia has issued a zoning violation letter to Jessica Pisciotta and Steadfast Wildlife Rescue and Rehab, Inc. in which she received on Friday, February 14, 2025, that threatens this center’s ability to function. The city’s zoning laws have been applied in a way that does not acknowledge the unique nature of wildlife rehabilitation and the fact that the center is not a commercial business but a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of the animals. The restrictions place unnecessary burdens on the center, and without resolution, could force it to close, jeopardizing the lives of many animals.

This wildlife rescue organization needs help to fight the City of Tifton to get the property rezoned and/or a variance issued for this vital home-based organization to stay open and continue to rescue and rehabilitate injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife in and around the South Georgia area. The city’s current zoning violations threaten the organization's ability to operate and continue its critical work.

Jessica Pisciotta has been a trusted wildlife rehabilitator operating in Tifton, Georgia for over 20 years. Her rescue, Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. provides lifesaving care to injured and orphaned wildlife, with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing animals back to their natural habitats. As a home-based center, it operates on a smaller scale and is run by passionate individuals who care deeply about animal welfare and environmental protection.

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are limited in the state of Georgia, with less of those having all licensing required to take in small mammals, or RVS (rabies vector species) and Jessica Pisciotta is one of the few. Jessica has worked hard to maintain all wildlife rehabilitation licensing required by Georgia Department of Natural Resources to continue to accept, care, and release the animals over the years. She has even taken this a big step further in establishing a 501c3 non-profit organization. She has a strong passion for all animals and only wants to give them a second chance at life. She does not get paid for her services and works various jobs and accepts donations from those who care enough to donate to be able to keep the facility running. She has had many inspections by officials through the years, which have proved no issues at her facility. Wildlife rehabilitation requires 24/7 attention to the animals in care, which is why she has chosen to temporarily have them in her home and on her property. This allows her to be available to the animals around the clock for their needs, as well as to all who call on her for injured or orphaned animals that need care.

Steadfast Wildlife Rescue organization is important because:

*Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. has saved countless animals and provided invaluable services to the local ecosystem; and

*Wildlife rehabilitation is a nonprofit, community-driven effort focused on animal care, not commercial enterprise; and

*Closing the center would harm not only the animals it cares for but also the community that benefits from the services it provides.

A petition is available to sign to help and support this organization as well: https://www.change.org/p/save-steadfast-wildlife-rescue-rehab-inc-from-unfair-zoning-violations

Jessica received a letter February 14, 2025 giving her 30 days from the date of the letter (February 10, 2025) to bring her property in compliance with current zoning classification. We are in urgent need of support to get this changed immediately considering this stated time frame.