Give To The Animals This Season

This is the “season of giving” and I wanted to give you an idea of some places you may want to donate. These places are animal sanctuaries that survive on your donations – either cash donated or by paying to visit. So take some time this season to help out one of these fine facilities.

Located in West Palm Beach, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is a “reservation only” facility. So, if you would like to visit this compound please call ahead and reserve a time to have a private visit with Mark McCarthy and his animals (over 170 currently). At this sanctuary you will see a wide range of animals comprised of large cats, various birds and numerous reptiles. Mark McCarthy, the owner, has been working professionally with animals since 1972. Since starting out as a reptile keeper in South Florida to working with large animal dealers and private collectors, Mark has been sharing his love of animals with the public. He opened McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary in 1990 and has been educating the public with wildlife programs ever since. So, if you have time to visit while in West Palm Beach, give Mark a call. As well as a sanctuary, McCarthy’s is a rehabilitation facility that delights in releasing healthy animals back into the wild. Many birds have been rescued and released back to wild after receiving the help they needed.

For over 25 years, Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach has been a turtle conservatory as well as a sea turtle museum. The Center is home to a marine learning center and a sea turtle hospital all in one building. Loggerhead primarily focuses on the Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle species. Besides these two species Loggerhead Marinelife has many educational programs directed about the ocean life in our area. At Loggerhead, you will see the turtle hospital and many exhibits showcasing the plight of the sea turtles. You will view the life cycle of the sea turtle and the conservation efforts to save the sea turtle from man and our destructive ways. While you visit the center you will learn about the nesting habits of the sea turtle during mating season and the various ways we can help the baby sea turtles reach the ocean.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a coastal and marine environmental center in Boca Raton where you can stroll through a butterfly garden, climb the observation tower or wander along the winding boardwalk through the coastal hammock. Located on the center property are the beautiful wooden pavilions housing four saltwater tanks representing a different type of the South Florida marine habitat. Come see the nature center with a sea turtle garden, a butterfly nursery, a gopher tortoise exhibit and a solar exhibit. Just like Loggerhead, Gumbo Limbo is a sea turtle rehabilitation concerned with the rescue and release of injured sea turtles and the safe birth of their offspring.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a rehabilitation facility located in Jupiter for injured animals and home to those who can’t be released back to the wild due to their injuries. Busch is home to such animals as the Bald Eagle, Panthers, Foxes, River Otters, Snakes, Black Bears, Alligators and various other native Florida species. Take a stroll along the path to view the permanent animal residents and view the bears along the nature trail. Come back one evening and take their “Night Walk” – by reservation only though.

 These are not the only animal sanctuaries or center sin the county that need your help, but these are four “wild” animal venues that depend on the kindness of people to function. Can you help this season?

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