As Important as it is Off Topic

I know that this is extremely Off Topic, but could you all please help me spread the word about this noble cause.
Thank you all so much,Julie 

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 Subject: Needs Help Operation WildLife Receiving Center Closing
  
  FYI Money, Help and Prayers are needed
   From: [email protected]
Sent: 11/10/2016 9:23:18 A.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Operation WildLife Receiving Center Closing
  Does anyone know an individual or organization that could contribute  enough money to our local Operation Wildlife (OWL), to keep their doors open? It is critical this happen soonest. This organization has done so much for wild animals in the greater Kansas City area and suburbs. Please (!) forward this e-mail to anyone you know who can get it in the right hands. There is a list of donations needed at bottom. Message below from the Director of OWL:

The point of contact for OWL is Diane Johnson at: [email protected]  913-631-6566.    
*********************
OWL Receiving Center 

To All, 

With a heavy heart I write this letter.  By putting it into words it is slowly becoming a reality to me.  For the last 22 years Operation WildLife has maintained a facility at 75th & Nieman in Shawnee to receive injured and orphaned wild animals from throughout the metropolitan area.  We did this as a convenience to the residents of the metropolitan area thinking that if we made it easier for them to access us we could help more wild animals.  Little did we know that it would grow as big as it has.  The cost to Operation WildLife to maintain the receiving center averaged $36,000 per year.  We don’t charge for the care of the animals and relied explicitly on donations to fund this service.  The average donation was $25 and the ratio was 1:35 people that donated.  We often got comments such as, " I'm so glad you're here", "This is so convenient", "I really appreciate you taking care of this for me", "Thank you for being here".  We knew we were needed and appreciated.  I know that everyone gave what they could and we were always grateful for their generosity.  We never received funding from any city, state or federal government, operating at a deficit of $12,000 - $16,000/ annually. There were other factors such as increased costs of formulas, food, medications, veterinary care, utilities, rent, insurance etc.  The costs just kept going up and the donations never followed.  

Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to continue to maintain this facility at this level of deficit and will therefore, be closing the Shawnee facility December 31st and moving all of our operations to the main facility in Linwood KS.  This includes Blue Pearl Emergency Vet Clinic who will no longer receive animals for OWL as of this date.  We will maintain the level of care that we've given the wildlife and perhaps it will even improve if we can streamline some of procedures.  I know it will be an inconvenience for some who won't want to drive to the Linwood facility.  The only thing I can say about that is "if you'll take an hour from your day to bring the animals to us we'll take days, weeks or even months out of ours to care for them".  We are looking at other options in order to keep out presence in the metropolitan area but right now we must pull back and regroup so that we can continue to operate in Northeast Kansas. 

The receiving center took in an average of 3,000 animals per year and fielded over 35,000 phone calls, emails and text messages from members of the general public.  Staffed only by volunteers we did the best we could.  We served 13 different cities in the metro area and 15 surrounding cities covering 4500 square miles and 9 Kansas counties.  If each of those cities would have contributed $ 5000 annually for our services we could have easily met our bills + hired paid staff to man the facility and utilized our volunteers for field work.  BUT no one had any money in the budget for these types of activities.  It’s been a difficult decision for us to make, but one that we must do in order to continue to serve Northeast Kansas.  We still need your support and appreciate you being part of our team.  We are grateful for your continued support and the care that you give to us.  

We have tons of items at the receiving center for sale.  We have until December 31st to clear everything out.  Lots of artwork and collectibles so if you're looking for something special for the Christmas come and see us.  We won't be able to take everything to the main facility because there just isn't enough room.  

The Linwood facility needs donations:

Below is a list of our needs:

  All animals -

    Walmart gift cards, so we can buy fresh produce,

    bleach,

    laundry detergent, 

    latex or non-latex exam gloves (M, L & XL),

    33 & 20 gal trash bags, quart & gallon size ziplock bags

    lg breed dog food ~ needs to be 1/2" pellets,

    toilet paper (no charmin),

    paper towels,

    pine-sol,

    MAG flashlights,

Baby mammals - 

    baby food (green beans, peas, squash, spinach, garden vegetable, carrots, sweet potatoes),

    baby food - strained meat (turkey, chicken) ,

    shelled & unsalted walnuts, pecans & almonds (no peanuts) 

Baby Birds -

    science diet healthy kitten & feline light maintenance dry

    creamy peanut butter

    wheat germ

Waterfowl & Birds-  

    chick starter or grower 20% or Purina or Nutrena game bird starter (non-medicated)

Office needs - 

    8.5 X 11 paper,

   HP60 & 60XL black & color ink cartridges

   Phillips screwdriver set 

   Straight screwdriver set

The point of contact for OWL is Diane Johnson at: [email protected]  913-631-6566.    


Freedom means you are free to be responsible ~ Russell Means 'Free to be Responsible' Speech: http://www.russellmeansfreedom.com/2009/free-to-be-responsible-a-russell-means-speech/
If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not knowyou will fear.                                    
What one fears one destroys. ~ Chief Dan George: http://www.indigenouspeople.net/dangeorg.htm Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. ~ Black Elk, Oglala Lakota Holy Man: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Black_Elk

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