Would you drive hours to get it to a nature center, or let 'nature takes its course’? When orphaned squirrels, Louie and Dewey, came into April Hoffman's life she discovered the lack of resources and budget that are in place for helping orphaned, sick or injured wildlife. She realized that there was no place to take these native wildlife mammals that need to be rescued, rehabilitated and released.
April found there were only a few wildlife rescue and rehab centers in the state of Missouri, where she lived, and they were hundreds of miles away. April quickly learned how to take care of baby orphaned squirrels and rescued two orphaned squirrels, Louie and Dewey, in her own home and later released them back into the wild. As the population is growing, neighborhoods are diminishing the natural habitat of wild animals, and there is a need to help these wild animals and educate the public on how to interact with them. April had no idea the impact fostering orphaned squirrels, Louie and Dewy, would have on her life and her community. She quickly gained a huge following with videos of the squirrels coming to visit her on Instagram with her account, and she has even been featured twice in the Dodo animal videos, Koala and Nature. The experience catapulted April's passion to help wild animals, support the public in education of coexistence and reuniting strategies wildlife conflict that shared her experience. She pursued a Wildlife Rehabilitation License with the Missouri Department of Conservation, by volunteering, traveling to every university available for symposiums to gain education and which was received 8.18.2018 and founded the nonprofit, Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab in 11.1.2017. Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab which now provides a Rehabilitation center in Eastern Jackson County Missouri , that consists of 3 Components; A Rehabilitation Clinic, A Transport Team (to go onsite for wildlife conflict due to human interference i.e. Animal in fence or fishing line) a Hotline (to offer free advice on reuniting strategies, humane evictions, candidates for rehabilitation) to rescue, rehabilitate and release native wildlife mammals safely back into their natural habitat. Wild Souls is Federally permitted for the Rehabilitation of Federal Protected birds of prey and State permitted for the Rehabilitation of Missouri Native Mammals. These animals will be released into the wild, back to their natural territory (upon property owners permission) the neighborhoods and communities that they came from, while educating the general public on how to problem solve if there is a wildlife conflict on their property humanely. The purpose of Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab is to “heal wildlife and the human spirit” and allow humanity and wildlife to peacefully coexist. Wild Souls will need more financial support to be able meet the needs of caring for more wild animals in the future, as these needs are ever-growing. So your tax deductible donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being apart of this much needed movement! Thank you for supporting this journey grow into what it has today! Over 1000 animals annually, 88% Rehabilitated and Released Healthy back into the Wild, Average 40-100 Hotline Calls daily assisting the public in humane advice. Wild Souls is only 1 of 2 Wildlife Rehabilitation Rescues with a Transport Team Nonprofit in Missouri. Wild Souls has also opened opportunities to 4H, Girl scouts and Boy scouts, and established a Fishing Line Recycling Program in the rural areas to help promote better coexistence between humans and wildlife. WE need your support!! Follow us today!
