When a wild animal is injured, there is only one place to turn: Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
From eagles and herons to sea otters and harbor seals, the center rescues and treats wildlife in San Juan County as well as nearby counties on the mainland. It also conducts educational outreach and non-invasive research.
Located on San Juan Island, the 25-year-old non-profit relies on support from individuals, businesses and foundations to carry out its work. It is funded by grants and private donations.
One of Wolf Hollow’s most important fundraisers, the 14th Annual Bite of Orcas, will feature the island’s finest restaurants serving culinary treats under a big tent on the Eastsound Village Green. It will take place on Saturday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
Organizers says it’s a wonderful family event, where parents and kids can sample a wide variety of cuisine like miniature calzones, grilled prawns, gourmet hamburgers, spring rolls, home-made sausages, and pies.
In addition to the inexpensively priced food, there will be a booth where examples of Wolf Hollow’s work will be shown. Education Director Shona Aitken will be on hand to answer questions.
The event typically brings in around $5,000, which funds the day-to-day operations of Wolf Hollow.
“Spring is the start of the really busy season. There are lots of animals every where,” said Executive Director Julie Knight. “So we have seasonal staff to pay and food and basic medical supplies to buy. During these months we have more licensed rehabilitators, volunteers, and interns. We provide housing for the interns, so there is that expense too.”
Knight says that during the quiet months, Wolf Hollow works on improving its facility. It is putting the finishing touches on its Eagle Flight Enclosure, which staff and volunteers rebuilt after it collapsed under snow in 2006.
In 2008, the center treated between 700 and 800 animals, which was similar to the year before. A few years ago it saw 1100 animals, which was its peak number. The animals are cared for at the facility on San Juan, but volunteers on the other islands respond to calls, are trained to assess the nature of each animal’s problem and, when necessary, to capture it and arrange for its transport to the center.
The Bite of Orcas is another example of Wolf Hollow’s community support. Restaurant owners donate 33 percent of their profits from the day.
Mary Russell and Ron Rebman, owners of the Orcas Village Store, will be making their famous mini burgers again this year.
“We have a great time doing it. It’s a lot of fun,” Russell said.
Heather Thomas, who is co-owner of Bilbo’s Festivo, says she enjoys being a part of the fun.
“We like to be involved in the community. And this is for a good cause,” she said. “We try to do as much as we can in the community because the locals are what get us the through the winter. And it’s fun. My son and my nephew sold food last year and they had a good time. They’ll be doing it again this year.”
SIDEBAR:
Islanders who come upon an animal that may be in need of help should not touch or move it. Call Wolf Hollow immediately at 378-5000. A volunteer is on-call 24 hours a day.
