Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release

Animal Rescue Kingdom (A.R.K.) rescues hundreds of native birds, mammals, and reptiles each year. We see Opossums, Raccoons, several skunk and squirrel species, and Coyotes, to name a few. The animals that come to us for help are orphaned, injured, and displaced members of the native wildlife population. We see the majority of the animals in the spring and summer months during "baby season," but we do rescues throughout the year, day and night. Adult deer hit-by-cars, orphaned Opossums, baby birds who have fallen from the nest and cannot be reunited with their parents, Bobcat babies whose mothers have been shot by hunters, and Raccoons caught in traps are just a few of the situations that would bring an animal to our sanctuary and nursery.
Our team of Animal Caretakers and Volunteers care for the animals in our Rehabilitation Clinic & Nursery. Each animal is given exactly what he or she needs to get back to where they belong — which is the wild. We use proper formulas and diets, keep them warm and dry, and minimize hands-on contact. Stress is a large factor when rehabilitating wild animals, and we do everything we can to eliminate it. Rehabilitation rooms are kept warm, lights dim, talking and voices low and at a minimum, along with calming scents and remedies. The rescued animals that are candidates for release are given proper housing and that mimics what they would have in the wild, and they are given medical attention if needed.
The rehabilitation animals can spend anywhere from a few days up to several months at Animal rescue Kingdom before release. It all depends on the species, how old they were when they arrived, and the nature of their injuries. All releases take place on sites that have been inspected and approved. Release sites are large acreages that meet species-specific needs such as year-round adequate water and food sources, vegetation, and terrain. All release sites are hunting-free zones.