The Business

Wildlife rehab isn't about saving lives, it's about releasing wild animals back into the wild. We pretty much only get animals that would die, quite painfully, if left alone. And they are hard to fix.

“What gives quality of life to wildlife? The fact of being at liberty, however briefly and precariously, the ability to make all the choices, the fulfilling of an evolutionary role. And also the restoration of freedom when it was almost lost forever. But what about the ones that were permanently maimed? Is euthanasia the only answer? No, but it usually is the best answer. Euthanasia can be an end to pain and terror, a compassionate and moral alternative to a captive life so diminished in quality that its maintenance is really an act of cruelty. And when that damage makes freedom suicidal, and release irresponsible, the chances for a life of quality in captivity are narrowed to the very expensive for the few...But right at the beginning there is something you should know, even if it breaks your heart. For all your long hours, and the physical effort, and the expense, and the arguments with others over your priorities, and even your genuine affection for this creature, you have come to love, there will be one thing missing from its life. And if you leave the cage door open, it will opt for that one thing above all others that were provided, and it will walk out of the door to freedom, and its death. Because this is the way of all wildlife.” -K. McKeever