SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – As part of KSLA’s Our Town series, Biskie Duncan sat down with an area nonprofit that helps give injured or orphaned wildlife a chance at survival. And it’s all thanks to a great team of helpers and donations from events like Give for Good.
The organization is WERLA (Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation of Louisiana).
“Every animal has personality. People don’t understand that, but every single animal that comes in has a different personality. Just like your pets at home, but they’re wild. They need a chance, too,” said Christie Chapman, vice president of WERLA.
WERLA never has a slow moment on its mission to rescue, rehab and release. There always are tiny mouths to feed, enclosures to clean and calls about wildlife in need.
“A lot of times when people call about animals, it’s advice. We try to walk them through things and find out if we need to intervene,” Chapma said.
That intervention may be for any abandoned babies or adult wildlife that has been injured. The animals at WERLA can vary from birds, like owls or eagles, to some of Biskie Duncan’s favorites, such as possums, raccoons, rabbits or beavers.
WERLA’s Chapman said operating the nonprofit requires a great team and a lot of financial support. In 2023, WERLA took in more than 750 animals. While food and formula for those animals are the biggest overhead costs for the organization, repairs to enclosures and medical care also add up.
“We’re not funded federally, state, parish, city, or by any entity,” Chapman said.
Most of WERLA’s support comes from just one day a year, and donations from supporters and animal enthusiasts.
“That’s from a lot of things like Give for Good, and it’s a lot for us to try and raise enough money to keep us going,” Chapman said.
It’s those donations that keep WERLA going and give Louisiana’s wildlife the best chance at survival.
Early giving for Give for Good is happening now and continues through midnight Tuesday (May 7). If you’d like to make a donation to support WERLA on its mission to rescue, rehab and release wildlife, or if you’d like to view the full list of nonprofits participating in Give for Good, click here.
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