Annual auction raises funds for Northwest Wildlife Rehab Center

by Stephanie Kosonen
NUGENTS CORNER – The sixth annual Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Auction will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at the Northwood Hall in Bellingham.
The wildlife center cares for injured and orphaned wildlife in Whatcom County. “Every patient is treated as if it is the last of its species. All are given the best care that we can possibly give,” said Stacy Wise, Lead Rehabilitator for the Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
The center fields about 3,500 phone calls each year, Wise said.
“Most of the time it’s because of an injured animal or an orphaned animal that they see and they just kind of want to get information on what to do. Other calls are people who are having a conflict with some animals, like raccoons an skunks mainly,” she said.
The wildlife center admits between 900 and 1,000 animals each year and nurses them back to health. Animals that are too large — such as bears, bobcats, coyotes and eagles — are sent to larger centers in Seattle, Arlington and Friday Harbor.
The rehabilitation center relies heavily on about 20 to 30 volunteers. “That’s certainly not enough volunteers for when we start to get busy, which is in April and May,” Wise said.
Fortunately, the center is processing quite a few applications right now for more volunteers.
“The organization would not continue without the volunteers,” Wise said. “I am the only paid staff, so we really, really depend on people in the community to help in any way that they can.”
Next week’s fundraiser is hoped to pull in $25,000, Wise said.
In return for the $50 ticket price, the fundraiser will feature a salmon  buffet dinner, with some vegetarian options as well.
A dessert auction keeps the final course interesting — all of the deserts are auctioned off by table, and the table with the largest bid gets the first pick of all the dessert options.
Jazz music by the Mark Kelly quartet rounds out the evening event, which usually attracts about 150 people who come out to support the wildlife rehabilitation center.
Sweets aren’t the only thing that will be auctioned off at the dinner. “This year we are having a riding lawn mower, sailing trips, birding trips, a trip to Victoria, a trip to Orcas Island and many more,” Wise said.
The event is an important source of revenue for the 10-year-old organization, which is funded entirely through donations.
Wise said the vibe at the dinner is laid back, fun and light-hearted. “We have a great time every year and this event helps us keep our doors open for the rest of the year. Please come out and join us,” Wise said.
Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Jan Stamey at (360) 647-1415 or e-mail at nwwildlife@netzero.net. The Northwood Hall is located at 3240 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham.

About the Center

Started in 2000, the Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. The Center is located in Nugents Corner, and fields approximately 3,500 phone calls each year, caring for up to 900 animals. For more information, visit www.northwestwildlife.org/ or call (360) 966-8845.

Published March 1, 2010