The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Vischkuil is celebrating 20 years this year in giving animals a second chance by treating them and, where possible, releasing them back into their natural habitat.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser at the centre, the centre’s CEO and founder Judy Davidson said when the animal is under their care, they have about six months to help in its rehabilitation before being sent back to the wild.

The centre accommodates various animals from horses, deer, and turtles to different species of birds.

She shared that there are some animals that take longer to rehabilitate and that the centre then asks for an extension permit for the animal at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture.

“When an animal is struggling with adapting in its habitat, we do a soft release where we take the struggling animal to a self-feeding animal in a game reserve where we monitor and help it get used to the environment.

“It can be a long process. For example, for the cat family, it takes about eight months for it to be used to the wild but we won’t let it go until we know it is ready; otherwise, it would be a waste of time,” said Davidson.

She noted that the centre plays a role in helping baby animals in equipping and educating them about feeding and hunting in order to survive in the wild.

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Davidson has been working with animals for 41 years and said that the workers must be vaccinated yearly for rabies and tetanus in case they get bitten by the animals.

She also said that people who want to work with animals must have a passion for it.

“Finances are sometimes a problem for us as a non-profit organisation, so we rely on donations and we sometimes host our own fundraiser,” said the CEO.

She explained that they work closely with other animal organisations because they sometimes find wounded animals and send them to the centre.

Davidson said that the Springs community must know that they are here to help the animals and that if they find injured animals, they should bring them to them and they will nurse them as professionals.

“Please call us as soon as possible because time is of the essence. The faster we get an animal in, the faster we help it.”

The centre is located at 63 First Street in Vischkuil, and Davidson may be contacted on 073 112 1131.

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