The Ohlone Humane Society (OHS) Wildlife Rehabilitation Center cares for more than 800 sick and injured animals across the Tri-City Area. But unless you’re a trained volunteer or sick animal, its doors are typically closed—with the exception of one day a year. On Oct. 11 from 10am to 2pm, the OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center opens its doors for its Annual Open House, a free, community event to showcase the center’s work to the local community.
A unique behind-the-scenes experience, the Open House offers facility tours, led by Wildlife Care supervisor Mary Gorman, beekeeper talks with OHS’s live beehive and a Happy Hollow Zoo with the facility’s animal ambassadors. The family-friendly event also offers nature crafts, face paintings and kids goodie bags.
“We want people to see our facility because we want them to understand what we actually do with the animals that they bring in,” volunteer coordinator Angela Hartman said. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center provides specialized care for local wildlife in the Tri-City Area. They help distressed wildlife—including opossums, rabbits, skunks, squirrels and reptiles—recover from injuries or rehabilitate before they’re re-released into the wild.
The Open House offers a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about local wildlife rehabilitation and what they can do to help. The facility tours include education on what people can do if they come across wildlife in need of help. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center greatly depends on the community, as they rely almost entirely on the public to bring in a distressed animal.
The Open House marks the reopening of the OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center after a brief closure when the onsite center manager relocated. During the closure, OHS was able to repair many of its outdoor animal enclosures through grant funding. The Open House is also an opportunity for the center to fundraise and receive donations. OHS encourages attendees to donate bird seed, wet dog food, latex gloves, large potty pads and grocery gift cards to help the center reduce its operational costs. Additionally, attendees can contribute to OHS through honey purchases and an opportunity drawing.
“There’s so many reasons why wildlife is important in our community,” said Hartman. She’s been with OHS since 2002 and helped the organization launch its very first Open House. This will be Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s 20th annual Open House. “I really just hope people have a great time and walk away with an understanding of what we do and how they can help.”
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Open House
Saturday, Oct. 11
10am – 2pm
37175 Hickory St., Newark
