Networking: Not such a hard nut to crack

  Written by Caryn Eve Murray and Barbara Bellens-Picon

        As  published in Wildlife Rehab Today -Spring 1999 Volume 10 Number 3

Squirrel Sanctuary is a dream come true, a realization of a long-held hope to create a
strong foundation of networking with a group of people coming together for One cause.

 Unprecedented in the New York metropolitan area, we are a home-based collective
of like-minded spirits, New York State licensed wildlife rehabilitators and licensed
assistants who specialize in squirrel care. We provide rescue, transport and rehabilitation
to metropolitan area tree squirrels in distress, with the objective of restoring and
returning them back to the wild as healthy citizens. Our mission as a squirrel-specific organization grew from an apparent need for these small mammals to receive prompt
and proper care in a safe, temporary refuge. Under the care of wildlife rehabilitators
with a dedicated specialty in squirrel rehabilitation and natural history, these animals
would get the opportunity to recover from numerous problems and injuries that would otherwise claimed their lives in the wild.

Squirrel Sanctuary rehabilitators and assistants are a diverse,intergenerational group:
 police detectives, writers, editors, entrepeneurs, homemakers, tennis professionals,
insurance adjusters, musicians, teachers, grandfathers.
 We are also fortunate to have a network of generous,skilled veterinarians and vet-technicians
who support us in saving lives. Some offer their services without charge; some charge a modest fee to cover their expenses. But without them, we could not accomplish
what we have, and we thank them with all our hearts. The fact that our organization
was up and running within 12 months of our decision to formally unite is testimony to
the power of networking.Along with a little magic! Public response has been supportive
and strong.People are beginning to discover that these animals are worth saving!

 It worked for us. Here's how it can work for others who want to see their dreams
 become reality:

1. Contact local and state wildlife agencies such as the Department of Environmental Conservation and request the most recent list of wildlife rehabilitators. Most are listed by county or region. Some may even identify the rehabilitators' specialties by species. Go through the list and contact those you do not know. This is a valuable resource you are tapping into for your network.

 A. Introduce yourself and state your intentions: Example: "Hi, I'm Bunny O'Hare,
 wildlife rehabilitator from Greene County. I rehab small mammals but get a lot of
 calls for other species during the year."

  B. Ask, "Are you an active rehabber? What species do you prefer? What kind of
caging do you   have? Can you do soft-release? Can  you rescue and transport? What
is your facility's holding capacity? What days of the week, or hours of the day,
are you available?" Ask the rehabber to be honest about their strengths and limitations.

2. Organize yourself. Store all your wildlife information in a safe place, easily
accessible to you and others working with you - metal file cabinets or files on your
computer. For example, phone numbers can be kept in a notebook or in a computer
file near your phone - or both - ready when an emergency call comes in.

Visual Aids Help: A large detailed map of your coverage area is a valuable networking resource! Insert color-coded pushpins into the area where rehabilitators and related
 resources are available. For example:

 Color code:   WHITE: PASSERINES

                    GREEN: SM. MAMMALS

                    PURPLE: RAPTORS

                    YELLOW: RESCUE

                    RED: ANIMAL HOSPITALS

                    BLUE: OTHER WILDLIFE CENTERS

Although this seems almost too much information, it does help if you get inundated
 with calls from the public. It puts your network at your fingertips.

 3. Be a volunteer yourself and participate in related public events.You need to be
involved and visible. And what better way to meet other people with similar interests
 than to attend events like environmental Fairs. Attend at least one wildlife professional
event a year.Volunteer at a local wildlife center - or work with a mentor. Wildlife rehabilitation is a living science and a profession that is constantly evolving. As a
professional, you should be, too.

Three organizations in which Squirrel Sanctuary is involved are:

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)

        NWRA  14 North 7 Ave.

        St. Cloud, MN

        56303

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC)

         IWRC

         4437 Central Place

         Suite B-4

         Suisun, CA  94585

New York State Wildlife Rehab Council ( NYSWRC)

        NYSWRC

         P.O. BOX 515

        MEDINA NY 14103

If your schedule does not allow you this level of participation, you can also visit with
other professionals at their online Websites.

            A wildlife rehabilitation online list group is another way of hooking up and
 networking - with other rehabbers, with vets and other people concerned with
rehabilitation matters. Squirrel Sanctuary has been able to reach out and help so
many squirrels just by posting questions, and awaiting answers, on several online lists.

Here's how to contact WLREHAB, the mailing list:

WLREHAB - The Wildlife Rehabilitation Mailing List
  List owner/administrator:  Ronda DeVold, BS, LVT    devo0028@tc.umn.edu
         Admin.requests (to computer): listserv@listserv.nodak.edu
WEB SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT: http://LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU/archives/wlrehab.html
      also see: The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory at:
                     http://www.umn.edu/home/devo0028
    and our alternate group at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wlrehabplus
 

4.  Get to know local veterinarians , the staff and animal hospitals. Find out their
familiarity with wildlife, as well as their policies on accepting or caring for wildlife.
 Some animals will treat wildlife but have a hard time placing the animals. If you are willing,offer your cooperation. Let them know you are willing to accept and care for
wildlife. This may make a difference in saving lives.

( Barbara )As the head wildlife rehabilitator in an animal emergency hospital last year,
 one of my responsibilities was to place convalescing patients with appropriate rehabbers. Do not underestimate the power of networking.

5. Establish a good, ongoing relationship with at least one veterinarian. Remember, we are not vets but can be good nurses - and we can also learn from veterinarians. Put the veterinarian on your mailing list, give them gift-membership in wildlife organizations, and remember them at holiday time. Don't forget to show your thanks, with an award certificate, or a gift. Good relationships, and trust, take time.

6. Do the "Martha Stewart" thing. No, this doesn't mean you have to build color-coordinated caging with interior design - but you should host a wildlife rehabbers' gathering - even
if you make it potluck.What better way to get to know other rehabbers, wannabe rehabbers,vets, rescuers,environmentalistss,people with big-hearts (and even those with deep pockets), than to organize a gathering.

  Set up a sign-in board and ask for names, addresses, phone numbers, and other
relevant information. And include a tray to hold place business cards to exchange!

  Take advantage of your "slow season"..get back into the heart of things, you will be
 surprised in what networking magic can offer you and your rehab  animals!  In short,
while conjuring up your magic you'll discover what our squirrels already know: That networking is not such a hard nut to crack after all.

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               To visit WILDLIFE REHAB TODAY  http://www.wildliferehabtoday.com/     

Squirrel Sanctuary Inc.