Humane Society prepares for inevitable ‘Baby Shower’

The Humane Society is preparing for an influx of baby animals, including orphaned raccoons. (Courtesy)

Spring is right around the corner and the San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife is currently holding its annual Wildlife Baby Shower to prepare for its busiest baby season as hundreds of orphaned wild animals will rely on the SDHS for lifesaving care. San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program is the primary resource for wild animal rehabilitation and conservation education in San Diego County.

SDHS Director of Public Relations Nina Thompson said that donations are needed now as within the next few weeks, Project Wildlife will begin receiving many wildlife babies rescues throughout the county that need special care in hopes to return the small animals back into the wild.

“We are coming up on the births of many species of wildlife animals being born in the region and this will continue through June,” she said. “Although you can always donate to Project Wildlife, this is the time of year when we get hundreds of sick and orphaned babies, and we depend on donations from the community to give them a chance to be reentered into the wild.”

Thompson said that Project Wildlife receives a variety of wildlife from baby squirrels, skunks, opossums, rabbits, raccoons and a variety of bird species. She said with the Ramona Campus now opened, it also has inured and apex predators such as baby bobcats, mountain lions, Channel Island cats, hawks, eagles, owls, coyotes, and bears.

“Before COVID, we would hold an in-person event at one of our facilities, but now it is a virtual event,” she said. “You can buy supplies through our Amazon and Target registries. These are good because you can see what people have already ordered on the lists and what is needed, and when you order from the registry it is mailed directly to Project Wildlife. If you do not want to use the registries, you can make a direct donation to project wildlife.”

To prepare for the busiest time of the year to help baby wildlife, Project Wildlife needs habitat supplies, bottles, blankets, brooders, gloves, food items, garden equipment, screens, canopies, wire baskets, nuts, baby food, pet beds, and more.

Thompson said with volunteers all over the county, Project Wildlife receives more than 1,300 baby animals each year.

“Your support will make a big difference for our tiniest wildlife babies,” said San Diego Humane Society’s Senior Director of Project Wildlife Jon Enyart, DVM. “Every single donation will ensure the smallest animals who need our help get the shelter, nourishment and medical care they need to thrive.”

For more information on donations and registry links, visit https://www.sdhumane.org/programs/project-wildlife/baby-shower.html