Each spring, the longer days and warming temperatures in Southwest Florida trigger breeding season for native wildlife that results in a surge of young wild animals. These vulnerable animals face many human-created dangers, such as pet encounters, vehicle strikes and nest disturbances from landscaping. To raise awareness and support for the hospital’s youngest, most delicate patients, the local nonprofit is hosting its ninth annual Wildlife Baby Shower from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Since early April 2024, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has admitted over 475 baby animals. This does not include the additional admission of adult animals in its care. In 2023 alone, over half of the animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for the entire year came in between April and August.
On June 1, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida invites the public to its Nature Center at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples to drop off donations of items that are essential to patient care, including food, husbandry items and medical supplies. Donations will support the wildlife hospital and the local wildlife in need. The Conservancy is offering one free admission pass to the Nature Center to all who participate and donate.
“Donating items is simple and an amazing opportunity to help the most vulnerable of all wild animals cared for at the wildlife hospital,” said Joanna Fitzgerald, director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. “The dangers and injuries baby animals encounter and endure are many, and without the care received at the wildlife hospital, they would have little chance at survival.”
The wildlife hospital has a list of commonly needed items, especially during the breeding season, which include:
- Laundry detergent, unscented for high-efficiency washing machines
- Towels in good condition (all sizes)
- Liquid dish detergent
- Trash bags (13 and 33 gallon)
- Paper towels
- Iams Proactive Puppy Chow Large Breed dry with chicken
- Purina One Plus Healthy Kitten Formula dry food
For more information on the Wildlife Baby Shower, including a full list of needed items and links to the Conservancy’s Chewy and Amazon wish lists, visit Conservancy.org/BabyShower.
