I realize that I have highlighted the following animal sanctuaries before but right now more than any time in history they need to be showcases. During the virus this year, many of these animals sanctuaries had to close, let people go, and still maintain the animals health and nutrition with only donations made form the public. Many of those donations were cut due to people not working and cutting back on expenses. Well, the poor animals don’t know this. Right now we are entering the season of giving and what better reason to give to some of those sanctuaries that truly need your help. This year think about donating some money or time to some of our local animal rescues or sanctuaries. Most of our animal sanctuaries and rescues are often a non-profit organization and can only continue to exist with the public’s charitable help. Animals are so near and dear to my own heart that if you feel as strongly as I do about animal rescues then perhaps you will send a little something their way or pay a visit to see those animals that need your help. Help them any way you can.
McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the western part of West Palm Beach, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is a “reservation only” facility. Please, if you would like to visit this compound, call ahead and reserve a time for you and your small group 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. Mark opened McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary in 1990 and has been educating the public with wildlife programs ever since. 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 into the wild after receiving the help they needed. So, if you have time to visit the sanctuary while in West Palm Beach, set up a time. (McCarthysWildlife.com)
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
For over 25 years, Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach has been a turtle conservatory as well as a sea turtle museum. The Center (currently under reconstruction) is home to a marine learning center and a sea turtle hospital. Loggerhead primarily focuses on the Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle species. Besides these two species Loggerhead Marinelife Center has many educational programs about the ocean life in our area. At Loggerhead, you will enter the turtle hospital and see 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. (Marinelife.org)
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Gumbo Limbo is a coastal and marine environmental center where there 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. (GumboLimbo.org)
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Busch Wildlife is a rehabilitation facility for injured and sick animals as well as 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. They try to heal and rehabilitate animals for release and you will see many animals there on the mend.
During this time, please, take a moment to see if you can help out any of these worthwhile animal sanctuaries. They truly do need our help to survive and flourish for the animals in their care.