Community Wildlife Resource Relocates to Suwanee County and Survives Tornado Hit in its First Week There Gulfport lost a valuable community resource this month when the state licensed Howells Angels Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue Center relocated to Suwanee County. On June 1st a volunteer crew driving a convoy of trucks and trailers moved the neighborhood rescue center from Gulfport to a 60-acre farm surrounded by tree farms. After a week of settling in, the new rescue site was struck without warning last Sunday afternoon by a tornado that demolished one barn, damaged some of the animal cages and downed a tree. There were no injuries and the caretaker residence was spared. Since April 2012, the Florida Wildlife Commission licensed center has cared for hundreds of opossums and raccoons at a backyard facility in Gulfport. They have cared for baby opossums found still in the pouch after their mothers were hit by cars, opossums and raccoons that were poisoned and abused, and wild animals left partially paralyzed by cars. They also have provided homes for exotic pets given up by their owners, including sugar gliders, potbellied pigs, prairie dogs, skunks and an endangered arctic fox. Now that this community resource has relocated, calls for help with wildlife in distress will be taken by rehabbers further away. Howells corporate office is still located in Gulfport and will make referrals to other licensed rehabbers in the Tampa Bay area. Call 727-289-9365 for information or to donate cash or supplies. When it became apparent that the rescue was outgrowing its Gulfport home, a friend who believes in their mission found a location that is within their budget. The new location provides a healthy environment for all the animals in distress that pass through their doors. After weeks of hard work packing and moving, Howells is up and running and ready to accept new animals in distress. The new location will allow them to provide better care for orphaned and injured native Florida wildlife and larger habitats for unreleasable animals that make the rescue facility their permanent home. Howells Angels sends a big thank you to everyone in Gulfport and beyond who supported their first year of operation. Howells Angels is a registered non-profit charitable organization in the State of Florida Reg. # CH38358. Donations to help them recover from the tornado damage and get established in their new location, can be made online: howellswildliferescue.org/please-donate. Cash and in kind donations may also be mailed or delivered to the corporate office. Please call to make arrangements at 727-289-9365. Donated food and supplies will be delivered to the center twice a month.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:58:49 +0000
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