Utopia has a brand new resident, a Bald Eagle!

Happy New Year to one and all! As we look forward into the new year it is also a good time to look back at all we have accomplished in 2009. It was another great year for rehabilitation and education here at Utopia Wildlife. And we would like to share with you some actual facts and figures of what we have accomplished. None of this would have been possible without the generous donations of time, money and effort of all those that helped us this past year, this is something to be proud of....

• 124 Educational Programs.
• 238 Animals helped, of which 126 were birds.
• There were 30 different species of birds, 10 species of which were raptors.
• 77% of the animals that came to us were released back into the wild.
• 80% of rabbits were able to be released.
• January 29th, 2009 the first squirrel came in.

Looking ahead to 2010 we have only just begun the eagle story and the foundation is laid for the next big project, the 100ft flight cage. As we continue to grow, with your help, we will be able to save more of our native Indiana wildlife. And continue to educate children and adults alike about this important subject. Remember, whatever affects nature, ultimately affects us.

We're here to help!

Wild animals enrich our lives, we love to watch birds at our feeders, a hawk soar across the sky, or feel a thrill when we catch a glimpse of a deer, fox or raccoon. They help us to stay connected to the natural world.

In the past decade or so, human population and development have grown at an unprecedented rate, and as their habitat shrinks, animals have been forced to share their territory with us.

Every year an increasing number of wild animals are hit by cars, collide with buildings, and are electrocuted, poisoned, caught by pet cats, and suffer all sorts of civilization-related ills.

Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators, Inc is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing medical care, educational programs, and information about living with our native wildlife.

We are a volunteer, non-profit organization which serves as a resource for wildlife information, education, medical care and rehabilitation in Bartholomew and surrounding counties.

We have state and federal rehabilitation and education permits, and we treat and release over 200 mammals, reptiles and birds of prey annually.

Many people have asked us if there are any items that they may donate to help our wild patients. Here are a few that we use daily when taking care of wild babies. Chicken baby food Diaper wipes Disinfectant wipes Paper towels Bleach and other cleaning agents Old bath towels (no holes or stringy edges) Vegetable baby food Wild bird seed (few or no sunflower seeds) mostly millet. We are constantly building and improving our facility so we can also use larger scale donations of fencing like hardware mesh, pressure treated lumber and plywood. We also are in need of welded wire or chain-link kennel fencing sections. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. We can’t thank you enough for your interest in our work, and appreciate your help!

Kathy and Star