Venderick’s Healing Paw

06/19/2026

📣We will be closed for new intakes starting today June 19th and will reopen on Friday July 3rd.

I will be traveling out of state to visit family. I’m taking a much needed break after a rough start to the new year and to recharge before the summer madness stamps up and fall baby season begins.

While I am away, should you encounter an injured, orphaned, or distressed wild animal and you’re local to our rescue please reach out to one of the following rescues:

🔸Janey at Spicy Paws Wildlife Rehab located in Moosup
🔸Sherry at Nutmeg Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation, located in Moosup
🔸Oona at Pachaug Wildlife Rehabilitation located in Griswold.

Helpful links should you need them:

🔹Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator’s in Connecticut: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Rehabilitator/Dealing-with-Distressed-Wildlife

🔹Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator’s in the United States: https://ahnow.org

Thank you all for your understanding and patience, we will be back before you know it.

06/18/2026

Our young opossums are growing up. Not the best photos since they were moving back and forth trying to evade the camera. However you can see they are getting bigger, stronger, and spicier as each day passes.

06/18/2026

Our little flying squirrel is all grown up and off on the next adventure in the pre-release. We have a known colony nearby he will join once he acclimates to being outdoors for a period of time.

06/14/2026

It’s been a very busy and productive weekend. Lots of cleaning, inventory taking, weekly veggie prep, and more cleaning. Here are some photos of the many faces we currently have in care. Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

06/13/2026

When things go a bit quiet on our page, it simply means we are incredibly busy behind the scenes and holy moly, have we been busy. Between the non-stop phone calls, texts, and intakes it has been a little chaotic. In the best way possible, this busyness means there are so many deeply caring people out there willing to step up for injured and orphaned wildlife, and for that, I am truly grateful.

I also want to take a quick moment to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has sent us items from our wishlist recently. Your generosity keeps us going, and we cannot thank you enough!

06/11/2026

As summer temperatures soar, finding water becomes a survival challenge for local wildlife. Here are a few simple, impactful ways YOU can help our wild neighbors stay hydrated this season!

06/10/2026

✨ Wishlist Wednesday✨

With so many babies in care, chipmunks, squirrels, flying squirrels, opossums and groundhogs, we are burning through formula, block, and supplies quickly.

➡️ Our top needs currently are Esbilac, Mazuri rat and mouse blocks (rodent block), freeze dried chicken, and dry kibble. However, specimen cups, dish soap, nuts in their shells, and water bottles are also very much needed.

Chewy Wishlist: https://www.chewy.com/g/vendericks-healing-paw_b103972749 -list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT

Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GA7M8ZS5OS0D

Thank you all for your support. Caring for wildlife is truly a team effort. Your tax deductible donations to our nonprofit truly make all the difference to the many little lives we have in care. 💜

06/09/2026

Please share!

**REQUEST FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE**

On 06/07/2026, a deceased male black bear weighing approximately 200lbs was located dumped on the side of Upson Rd in the town of Burlington. During a preliminary assessment of the bear, it appears as though there is a wound behind its front right shoulder consistent with being shot. At this time, we do not believe the incident took place on Upson Rd. The bear carcass was seized by Officers for further investigation. The State EnCon Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify the person(s) responsible for the killing of this male black bear. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Encon Police Emergency Dispatch center at 860-424-3333 or you can email Officer Matthew Heath at [email protected]

06/09/2026

I’ll never understand how people could dislike opossums look at this face. Is this not the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen?

06/09/2026

Moving a snapping turtle off the road can be intimidating; they’re large, surprisingly fast, and definitely look fierce! This video shows you the safest way to handle them.

Remember, fear is completely normal. If you aren’t comfortable picking them up directly, you can always use a shovel, a blanket, or a car mat to safely guide them out of harm's way.

Thank you for assisting our beautiful turtles cross the road. 💚