My experience with West Sound Wildlife Shelter was appalling. We called to report a 4 week old racoon dying from heat exhaustion. The intake person was dismissive and unhelpful as she just assumed the racoon had distemper (it didn't) and put us through an hours worth of frustrating hoops to send her pictures and videos (as we were standing on the side of the road in 90 degree heat with poor cell reception unsure of what to do while this baby was suffering). She gave us no direction and no information and stopped responding altogether other than 'well I guess you could take it home for the night.'
It was a rescue group from another state that we connected with who coached me on how and what to bottle feed the kit, which I did, all night long. The next day that same out-of-state rescue group connected me with a rehabber and we drove hours to get her to someone who wouldn't automatically assume distemper and euthanize her.
That's when I received a call from the Executive Director of West Sound Wildlife Shelter and while I was thanking her for reaching out she interrupted me to ask me where the animal was. When I told her we just dropped her off to a rehabber she interrupted me again to ask who and since she was speaking to me with a hostile tone, and considering how dismissive the intake person was the day before I told her I wasn't sure I felt comfortable sharing that information. She then told me the raccoon probably has distemper (in other words guaranteed euthanization) and said her good bye and hung up on me!!
When I called her back to ask why she hung up on me she said I had 'been nothing but rude to her, she has no time for this and no time for me' and hung up on me again!! (Note: my only words to her was to thank her for her call, we dropped off the kit and I wasn't comfortable sharing where. That's it). We were beyond shocked. My friend in the car heard the whole thing and thought I was speaking to a teenager.
This is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR! I was mind blowing. Truly.
Since then we have spoken to several other people who had a similar experience with this shelter and in particular that they are dismissive and quick to euthanize 'low-value' animals (it's the eagles and other high profile saves that get them the big donations). My issue with that is they masquerade as a shelter that will save ALL wild animals.
By the way, I have kept in touch with the rehabber and the racoon is thriving. She did not have distemper, and had I let West Sound have her they would most definitely have ended her life.
This Executive Director is doing a disservice to wildlife and to the general public with her hostile nature and dismissive attitude. And considering her background doesn't even have anything to do with animals it is clear she is in the wrong profession.
This place is amazing in the care each and every wild animal receives from people who care the most. I truly love this place!
The number of rescued wildlife creatures that are saved by this group is amazing!! They are caring and very professional in their work.
I started as a volunteer with little experience working with wildlife but West Sound Wildlife provided me with the opportunity to learn and appreciate local wildlife; there is nothing compared to watching injured raptors heal and be released back into the wild. West Sound Wildlife provides their community with a wonderful resource for wildlife response and education; an amazing organization that promotes keeping wildlife wild!
Great organization that works on many levels: helps rehabilitate and restore injured wildlife to their habitats, educates through public programs and outreach to school aged kids--great place for people to volunteer and have close experience with helping in all aspects of the shelter's mission. The organization also works very hard to maintain the highest standards in all their efforts.
I started out as a volunteer and am now a manager of both the hospital and the stewards. I am blessed to work amazing people working as family to help injured and orphaned wildlife have a second chance at life!
I started volunteering at the shelter when I felt a need to do something that would lift my spirits and leave my children and grand children with a better place to raise their children.
I was immediately captured by the need that existed in the wildlife rehabilitation arena and the personal satisfaction I received everytime I worked with a sick or injured animal to help it return to it habitate able to take care of itself or just to relieve its suffering.
I, also, learned that I enjoyed interacting with the publc and being able to share the education and information I was receiving with others.
I now serve on the Board of the Shlter and volunteer during the busy spring and summer season when the shelter is open longer hours and serves hundreds of babies and injured animals.