Leah Stallings is the executive director of Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (Credit: Leah Stallings)
Have you ever found an injured animal on your property or on the road, but were unsure how to help?
Wildlife rehabilitation centers like Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfont can take in injured, sick and orphaned wildlife and care for them until they are well enough to be released back into the wild.
Leah Stallings, executive director of Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, says proper education of when to intervene and when not to is very important.
Stallings spoke to Access Network about the mission and services of Aark, and how community members can get involved.
Aark is a non-profit whose mission is to rehabilitate, and release orphaned and injured wildlife native to Pennsylvania and to provide environmental education to promote harmony between humans and nature.
The center is staffed by wildlife professionals and volunteers who attend to the animals throughout the day and night. Staff are also available by phone to answer questions and offer assistance with capturing and transporting wounded or sick animals.
Aark works regularly with Wildlife In Need, an organization that assists with the capture and transport of the animals to the center.
Aark was founded by Stallings’ mother, Mary Jane Stretch over 40 years ago and the need for its services continues to grow with human expansion and habitat loss.
Stretch, who passed away in 2020, was one of the nation’s leading authorities on wildlife rehabilitation and was instrumental in establishing many of the current wildlife laws.
Stallings told Access Network that Aark cares for more than 5,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year.
“We take care of them medically, treating disease and fixing broken bones, and then release them back into the wild. We also take in orphans and raise them until they can make it on their own,” she said.
Stallings said that the most rewarding part of the work she does is watching the animals now healthy and able to survive on their own being released back into the wild.
On the roadblocks the nonprofit most often faces in fulfilling its mission, she explained, “Money is always a concern and can be a roadblock to caring for the animals, although we work hard to not let that happen.”
She added that the proper education of the public is also a challenge. Some rescuers may do something that inadvertently hurts the animal while trying to help them.
She gave the example of trying to feed a nest of baby squirrels on your own without knowing what they need for proper nutrition.
“Their safety during the rescue is paramount for proper rehabilitation and release back into the wild.”
How can the community help?
Stallings said that they are always in need of volunteers to help care for their patients, preparing food/milk, bottle feeding babies and cleaning cages and more.
Every day there are about 150 volunteers helping out at the clinic between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., she said. The facility is open for drop-offs between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Stallings said that donations from the community also help them carry out their mission and “keep the lights on and the milk flowing.”
Anyone interested in contributing can help in several ways including purchasing items for the animals off Aark’s Amazon wish list or by making a monetary donation. For more information, visit here.
She also encouraged everyone to follow them on social media and get the word out on the importance of wildlife rehabilitation.
What is the safest way to rescue a wild animal?
If you encounter a wild animal that you think is sick, injured or orphaned, always first call a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center like Aark for guidance and proper handling protocols.
Stallings explained you should never over handle or snuggle the animal no matter how cute and don’t try to give it food or water. All wildlife should be evaluated first to determine proper care and diet.
She also emphasized that gloves must always be worn when handling wild animals to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites.
Aark’s website contains helpful species- specific information on what to do when you encounter a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal.
For more information visit aark.org or call (215) 249-1938.
