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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!

 

Volunteer Testimonials 

 

Scott Peck

I've had the distinct privilege of serving as a wildlife care steward for the past 2 1/2 years and more recently as a member of the education program at West Sound Wildlife Shelter (WSWS). Never have I served with a more dedicated, professional and compassionate staff. As humans expand into or destroy wildlife habitats, invariably wildlife suffers and the more imperative your support of organizations like WSWS becomes--thank you for participating in "Call to the Wild" as well as your generous contributions throughout the year!  

  

Cathy Johnson

I started as a volunteer at the shelter back in 2017 and dedicate myself full-time here now. I am honored to work with some amazing people who love what they do. I am privileged to work with wild animals, be a member of the education program and am now proud to have the title of Volunteer coordinator here at the wildlife shelter.

 

 

 Mike Etgen

One of my selfish goals in retirement was to find a great volunteer experience - something interesting and meaningful to me. I've always enjoyed wildlife and I always liked being part of a team and those came together at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. Two unexpected bonuses were that I earned the privilege of handling raptors, fulfilling a wish that went back to my younger years, and I found myself in front of the public, sharing my interests and knowledge and hopefully creating new champions of wildlife. Did I mention being part of a team? At WSWS I've been surrounded by others who share my interests and values and who appreciate what I bring to the experience. It has led to friendships with good people I might have otherwise never known, while I have hopefully given my fellow volunteers, staff members, and interns a positive and dependable teammate. You could say that the wildlife brought me here, and that I've stayed because of the people. It's that simple.


 

 

 

Kathleen Thorne

I began volunteering at West Sound Wildlife Shelter over fifteen years ago because of a vague affinity for animals and a sense of guilt that I wasn’t doing all that much for the environment – and I hated pulling up invasive weeds! Now, my stewardship at WSWS is a passion that truly enriches my life. To know that an injured animal survived and was able to be released back into the wild because of something I did is incredibly rewarding. 

 

 

Christian Colon

I was asked to help with  giving a very skinny male bald eagle food and medication. While I held the eagle’s body and legs, another volunteer held the head. I remember watching the eagle looking up at me with such intensity in its eyes. I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I said to myself: “Here I am helping out with one of the coolest raptors”. Definitely an unforgettable moment. 

 

 

 

Barbara Zinkil 

I am a volunteer at West Sound Wildlife Shelter. I am proud to be a part of the effort of the Shelter in educating the public and helping injured wildlife return to the wild, healed and healthy. My heart goes out to our patients when they come in and are just sitting in their box enduring their injury. They just look so sad. It’s a wonderful feeling to watch their treatment and recovery. And, the best part is watching the patient being released back into the wild. Especially birds, as they fly away, free again, my heart just soars right along with them.  It makes everything I do as a volunteer worth it.