How can you help Abilene’s wildlife thrive?

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Big Country Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (BCWRC), a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, is asking for the community’s help. Their mission is to release animals back into the wild, but to do that, they need safe properties where the animals can start their second chance at life.

Once animals are healthy and meet release criteria, BCWRC President Bessie Hollar said they’re loaded up and brought to a designated location.

“We typically also make sure that all of our animals are vaccinated against rabies, distemper and they are dewormed and do not have any fleas. We want them to have the best opportunity to survive,” Hollar explained.

The list of animals currently awaiting release includes foxes, skunks, cottontail rabbits, raccoons, and even a porcupine. Hollar hopes to get them placed well before winter sets in.

For Hollar, this work is more than just a job.

“I absolutely love it. This is my passion. I work a full-time job, so I can afford to do this,” Hollar expressed. “To be able to see an animal go from not being able to survive on its own and to grow and mature, and for that wildness to come back and just to see them run off into the fields and stuff, living their best life, that’s amazing.”

Anyone interested in allowing animals to be released on their property can fill out a waiver and email it to the Big Country Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at info@bigcountrywildlife.org.