SACRAMENTO-

California’s second largest wildlife rehabilitation center needs the public’s help to keep its doors open.

The Wildlife Care Association located at the McClellan Business Park has been saving injured animals- mostly birds- for 30 years. However, with the downturn of the economy and lack of funds, they are in jeopardy of closing down.

Unless they get the funds or find new homes for their 500 to 700 temporary wildlife animals that are at the facility now, they will all be euthanized.

“It is definitely something that is really hard to think about,” Assistant Triage Manager, Autumn Turner said. “This is our job. This is what we do. to try and help save them, and to turn around and say oh we cant actually save you and now we have to put you down is not really acceptable.”

They are currently running only on a $30,000 budget, out of their necessary $100,000 annual budget. In recent years, they have cut down the number of paid staff, and rely mostly on volunteers and unpaid interns. Many interns from around the world come to the facility to get hands-on experience with the more than 6,000 animals the facility takes in annually. Many are veterinary and zoology students.

21 year old Dina Catallo is studying at Colorado State University to become a zoologist. This is her second year as an intern. The lack of funding also affected her.

“I was actually scheduled to be a staffer,” Catallo said. “But we don’t have the funding… But that doesn’t matter because if they need me here, I’m here.”

To donate to the Wildlife Care Association, click here.