Madison County Master Gardener A

Wildlife Resqu Haus, Inc.

Seeking to Save Nature's Injured & Endangered

Today the world is experiencing an unprecedented rate of extinction among its wildlife species. The Wildlife Resqu Haus, a not-for-profit, tax deductible organization incorporated in the State of Indiana since 1981, is making a last ditch effort to prevent the extinction of endangered and threatened species. It’s founder, Diana Shaffer, has been rehabbing for over 50 years but has been licensed for approximately 46 years.

With constant care and love the Wildlife Resqu Haus flourishes in the home of Diana located in Yorktown, Indiana (765-759-9112), where injured and orphaned wildlife have found their way via the Sheriff’s Department, housewives, school children, conservation officers, and the man on the street. They arrive by car, bicycle, on foot, in dump trucks, shoe boxes, sacks, towels, and in concerned hands.

Each year hundreds of wildlife patients are treated—some motherless, some injured by man or machinery. With the help of her husband, family, local veterinarians, and others who volunteer their time, all eventually are released to their natural environment as this is the primary goal of the organization—a ticket to FREEDOM. Last year the organization cared for over 800 birds and animals.

Diana has also put her talents to work in preparing a slide show and lecture, as education is one of the organizations many important functions. The presentation ranges from identification of wildlife species and their feeding and nesting habits, to how infants are hand raised, fed special formulas and prepared for their release back into the wild. It is educational and of interest to all age levels and programs are presented to civic groups, businesses, schools, and other organizations interested in wildlife. A non-releasable wild creature accompanies the speaker as part of the presentation.

All of this is done under the supervision of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Association and the Department of Interior in which a Special Purpose Permit is issued each year. Also required is an Indiana State Wildlife Permit.

The work of the Wildlife Resqu Haus, Inc. is solely supported by contributions. There is no government funding.

Preserving the life of a sparrow here and a squirrel there will not truly weigh on the balance of wildlife, but for wildlife and man himself to be preserved for future generations, people must be made aware of the inter-relationship between the two.

Very seldom in our lifetime do we have the opportunity to preserve the living past for the future. It takes a special feeling for all of nature, including the wild ones.