OkcPets Magazine March 2023

38 OKC Pets • March / April 2023 Compassion Is Key to WildCare’s Work by Inger Giuffrida, executive director, WildCare Oklahoma Photos courtesy of WIldCare Oklahoma E very day, WildCare Oklahoma receives injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife from throughout the state. Although the or- ganization is one of the larger wildlife centers in the United States, taking in about 7,000 patients annually, the individual stories of patients exemplify the purpose of WildCare and the work of its staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers. Here are some tales of specific patients that WildCare has helped. American Toad That Couldn’t Hop People don’t often think of toads or frogs when they think of WildCare Oklahoma, but WildCare receives many amphibians. Since 2015, WildCare has admitted 143 frogs, toads, and salamanders for care. In September 2022, caring people who had gotten to know a resident dwarf American toad in their yard brought it to WildCare. They had noticed that the toad suddenly was dragging his leg, and they knew he needed help. On the toad’s arrival at WildCare, staff members took a radiograph (X-ray) of his leg. The veterinary team confirmed that the leg was broken. Because reptiles and amphibians go into a stage of brumation over the winter (like hibernation), the staff planned for this little one to overwinter at WildCare. The leg is healing, and his appetite has improved steadily. In fact, he has gained 30 grams, an impressive amount for such a small creature. The toad will be returned to the property A Second Chance at LIFE A fennec fox, one of eight taken toWildCare Oklahoma along with dozens of other exotic species rescued from an illegal zoo and breeding operation, will have a new home in an accredited zoo in the Northwest.