FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Wildlife Rescue League Help Needed

["Barbara Farron" <bfarron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Following is a copy of a letter sent to Wildlife Rescue League members.
This was posted on the Washington Area Butterfly Club listserv, and I'm
passing it along.  I personally have had occasion to call the WRL for advice
and have found them quick to respond and very helpful.

Barbara Farron
Springfield, VA
*************************
----- Original Message ----- 
>
The Wildlife Rescue League
P.O. Box 704
Falls Church, VA 22040
(703) 391-8625
Email:  wrl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web:  www.wildliferescueleague.org
>
> August 2003
>
> URGENT NOTICE - PLEASE READ!!!
>
> Dear WRL Member:
>
> The Wildlife Rescue League is facing a real crisis and we need your help.
> We currently have approximately 400 members with more than 80% located in
> the Northern Virginia area.  Unfortunately less than 50 of our members
> actively volunteer their time to help the league in its various public
> services.  Of utmost importance is our wildlife assistance Hotline that is
> staffed totally by volunteers.  The Hotline takes calls from the public,
> along with veterinary hospitals and local shelters, about wildlife
problems.
> It is up to the volunteer to either give the necessary advice to resolve a
> wildlife issue or, in many cases, arrange for an injured or orphaned
animal
> to go to a rehabilitator for care.  During the summer months the Hotline
is
> available seven days a week from 8am-9pm.  Each volunteer shift is three
> hours and is operated from the individual's home.  So far, this year over
> 13,000 calls have been received.
>
> This year we are experiencing a decline in the number of volunteers
> available to staff the Hotline.  This is putting an undue burden on the
> small number of committed WRL members and volunteers managing the Hotline
> activities.  If more volunteers cannot be recruited to help run the
Hotline
> we may be faced with the possibility of shutting down its operation.  We
> have prided ourselves on providing a very valuable service to our
community
> since 1998 and truly believe the Hotline has been instrumental in saving
the
> lives of thousands of our Virginia native wildlife.  To lose this service
> would be a major loss for the community and especially the animals.
>
> We desperately need Hotline volunteers for training.  Even if you can only
> give six hours a month (two shifts) we would appreciate the help.
>
> We are also recruiting for a Hotline Chair who would perform non-daily
> duties such as keeping the rehabilitator list current, focal point for
local
> authorities/veterinarians, setting up and teaching training classes,
problem
> solving for Hotliners and rehabilitators, contacting new recruits and
> disbursing timely information to Hotliners.
>
> Another position that is needed is the Hotline Scheduler who would set-up
> the Hotline calendar, update the Hotline phone list, records the
> rehabilitator updates and updates the messages on the Hotline phone system
> seasonally.
>
> The Hotline Chair and Hotline Scheduler are paid league positions.  If you
> are not able to participate, but know if someone else that can, please
pass
> this letter along.
>
> You are invited to call us at (703) 391-8625 and we will arrange for your
> training.  Detailed information about the League and our activities can be
> found on our website- www.wildliferescueleague.org
> <http://www.wildliferescueleague.org/> .  If you have any questions please
> call the number above.
>
> As always, we are grateful for the many generous donations we have
received
> this year.
>
> Sincerely,
> The Board of Directors- Wildlife Rescue League


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