Wildlife Rehab Care Fund

Hello Everyone, 

First of all I would like to express the need to read this long winded mess. Please take the time to read in it's full length, and enjoy some photos of our babies. I have been debating a long time on the best way to do this and while we struggle to sort out the mess that is making a nonprofit we continue to take in babies. We have been the rehabbers here in our city for four or so years now, and every year we do everything out of pocket, which is tough. From formula for the babies to vet care. It's always been a bit of a struggle but we make due with what we can anyway and do our best for these babies that come to us seeking help. This year - and mind you baby season has only been on for a few weeks, we've already gone through a good couple hundred dollars in medical equipment already. 

We deal mostly in large mammals, but we never turn away anything that is brought in to us. Birds, snakes, and small mammals. It doesn't matter. If it's a wild baby in need of help that's what we are here for. Most of the fawns that come to us require heavy attention. In the unforgiving south Texas heat, when a mama is hit by a car and baby is left alone for days, they are very often dangerously dehydrated. We go through bags of IV solution, and IV set ups which cost a pretty penny, even when donated to us. 

A day or two ago, -as of 6/29- we received a doe fawn that had been attacked by a dog that required extensive care. Most rehabbers do what we call home vet care. We cleaned the wound on her leg, sewed her closed with a drain in place and treated her with antibiotics. 

We are frequently faced with dog attacks, often they are suffering with severe damage to faces. Broken noses and jaws and we do whatever we can to have them treated, even though some times it's hard on our wallets and we have to shift funds around. We rely so often on the kindness of strangers when treating these guys and while we have some vets that will come out and evaluate the serious ones we aren't sure of, we still have to pay for x-rays and if the case calls for it, surgery. 

Now, I'd like everyone to understand that we aren't in need of donations year round. I also want to assure you all that whatever money we raise here is strictly for the rehab animals. Nothing more. Your donations would cover buying formula and bottles/nipples, medical supplies ( Medication, bandages, ect), medical treatment and vet visits ( Xray, Surgery, setting broken bones, ect),  crates and enclosure modification, and release preparation ( tagging, transport ect ). 

We would only be seeking donations during baby season. This runs between around May and December ( Everything must be released by December in accordance to Texas State law, UNLESS otherwise cleared by Fish and Wildlife officials ). 

At the moment we are entering the crazy part of the year where we get an influx of animals. As of the moment we have five fawns. Two of which have required medical attention, one received IV fluids and the other received extensive attention for the dog bite. 

Even if you can't afford to donate yourself, we appreciate your time in stopping by to take a peak anyway. We understand entirely that money can get tight - or we wouldn't be asking for help- and we hope that you might consider donating to your local rehabbers in any way. Be it money, time, or various other things like blankets and kennels, bottles and formula. With two subpermitties who work directly under our lisense the money would not just be used for wildlife under our direct care, but under the care of our subpermitties too. 

This job we take upon ourselves isn't easy and most days it's not fun at all. We ache for these animals and it is not just a taxing job on our wallets, but on our emotions as well. We appreciate your consideration more than you know, and the animals will no doubt appreciate the help you are offering whether you donate or you just share our cause. Thank you so much for stopping by, and if you have questions we are more than happy to answer them. Please enjoy some more pictures of babies we've taken in and passed through our doors back into the wild where they belong! 

With respect, 

Lacey Cones