The year of the beaver is in full swing and we are working hard towards improving the our rescue operations. We are starting the process of constructing an animal care center and we are running a fundraiser to help make sure this is the best possible space for being able to care for orphaned baby animals.
Animal Care Center Fundraiser
We are so excited to announce that this is the start of our brand new Something Wild Animal Care Center on the rehabilitation property adjacent to our beaver enclosure area. This will become the hub for our future rehab operations.
Originally, we had planned on using the structure of the old shed already on-site. But during the process of figuring out how that would work (and not having much success), an anonymous donor came forward with an extremely generous offer that allowed us the opportunity to build a new facility with amenities and capabilities for animal care that would not have been possible otherwise. We are so thankful!
On the 31st of March, the old shed was demolished and the area is now being prepped. Busy days ahead as we move full speed into building the animal care center.
We are doing a fundraiser for the rest of the building’s construction costs. If you are able to, and think this is a good cause, please consider donating on PayPal, Venmo, by cheque or even on YouTube as we have set up a fundraiser there that will give us 100% of donations. Unfortunately this option is not available internationally, but any means of donating is greatly appreciated and every penny counts. We will also be releasing the plans for the building from the contractor soon so everyone that donates will be able to see exactly how their hard-earned money is being used to create the best possible space for animal rehabilitation.
Something Wild Store Update
Another way of supporting our fundraiser is by visiting our online store. We have recently updated the design and added new products.
The ones we’re the most excited for are the metallic custom prints that now allows you to select a beaver tail pattern in any color and canvas size of your choice. We are starting with four colors, but anyone can suggest a new color to be added via email and if there is enough demand, we will start offering it. Each of these will be custom-made by Holley herself.
In the next month, we’re going to be working on improving the website and adding new products, including some new T-shirts with hand-drawn beaver art showcasing Tulip and the Something Wild family.
Animal rescue work
With Spring in full swing, this is the time when there is an increase in births among wildlife and young animals (especially young beavers) are at their most vulnerable.
More and more wildlife is being displaced due to urban development, so please be alert for any wildlife that could be in distress in your area.
Even though our Animal Care Center won’t be ready this year, we are still trying our utmost as we always have to help rescue our precious wildlife. In the coming weeks and months we will be uploading more content on YouTube on steps you can take if you encounter an orphaned baby beaver, or other ways you can help the rehabbers in your area. Our beaver sisters, Windy and Willow, have recently joined the rescue and our door is always open to those in need.
We work with Woodside Wildlife Rescue so please also support them if you’re able to. You can also use this guide from our website to find the nearest wildlife rehabber, if you live in the state of Mississippi for wildlife.
Windy and Willow’s Wild Woods
Starting this Saturday the 4th at 10am CST, we will be starting a weekly video series of wildlife fun facts about what it’s like to live as a beaver in the wild. Each week will focus a different aspect of a beaver’s daily life and the skills that our young rescue beavers will be learning as they grow older.
The series will feature hand drawn art of our colorful characters and won’t impact the regular upload schedule.
Windy and Willow’s Wild Woods will be an exploration of the wildlife and habitat at Something Wild as well as a showcase of what Windy and Willow’s life in the wild will be like and everything they still need to learn before that day comes.
Thank you to all our supporters!
The people that subscribe to us on Patreon or as a YouTube member remain an immeasurable support for us to keep doing what we do and without you none of this would have possible.
We are planning to release more behind-the-scenes content and longer exclusive videos on both Patreon and for YouTube members. Members also received three new emojis that they can use to comment on any of our videos. One is Holley’s doodle of King George with a Tulip from her visit to Pixar Studios and the others are based on stickers currently available in the Something Wild shop.
Even if you aren’t able to support us financially, your supporting us on YouTube and Instagram helps us reach a wider audience, educate people about the importance of beavers and advocate for their safety. We are planning more content across all our platforms for everyone to be able to enjoy with our fuzzy potato friends, the beavers.
Words can never express how grateful we are to everyone that supports us, so we will show it through our actions by doing everything we can to protect and care for Tulip, Stormy, Sprout, Blossom, Windy and Willow, along with any other animal that needs help, to ensure they have the best possible lives they can.
Wishing you the best beaverful day,
Holley & the Something Wild Team
