Caring for injured wildlife can be very rewarding, but the financial costs associated with it are often quite high, particularly when you’re dealing with babies. Formula can quickly drive up the costs of care, but it’s necessary for these animals, as it contains the essential nutrients needed to grow and thrive. Thanks to your clicks, shopping for a cause, and contributions, young wildlife in Kansas recently received these life-saving nutrients.

Greater Good Charities’ GOODS program recently donated formula, pet blankets, and other supplies to Kansas-based Operation Wildlife. The organization rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri. They also work to provide wildlife education to residents.

Operation Wildlife put half of the supplies from the donation to immediate use, to feed babies and provide comfort and enrichment to other animals.

BABY RACCOON IN CARE OF OPERATION WILDLIFE. PHOTO: DIANE JOHNSON.

The organization says, “The donation… will keep us in formula for the next 5 weeks for all the baby raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks in our care! We have put the tree nests in our songbird aviary for housing for our rehabbing songbirds and will use the extras as those get ruined (they're made of some kind of grass). The turtle pebbles were added to our water turtle pond. We will use the turtle food for those animals as well. The pet blankets will be used for bedding.”

They added that the donation has been a big relief financially, as their costs have almost doubled since last year, while their budget hasn’t. The savings will allow for other areas of care to be covered.

Among the estimated 100 animals helped by this donation were baby raccoons, whose formula needs can range from $250 to $500, depending on their age. The organization says they’ve struggled with these costs this year, and hundreds of the animals they take in are young enough to need it.

They explain, “Annually, we care for over 1000 mammals that use this product. Many of these animals come to us because their mom has been killed or their home was destroyed. 99% of all the mammals come in because of human related causes - hit by cars, caught by pets or children, shot illegally, mowed over, tree cut down, etc.”

TURTLE HABITAT AT OPERATION WILDLIFE. PHOTO: DIANE JOHNSON

Turtles are also among the animals impacted by these issues. Their shells are repaired, and they are then released back into the wild. While they’re still being rehabbed, though, donated reptile bowls are helpful.

Thanks to you, rescues like this get more help with their important mission of animal care. If you’d like to help more rescues feed young wildlife, click below!