The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, a Pensacola-based nonprofit that provides care to injured or orphaned indigenous wildlife, will host a holiday open house on December 3 to showcase its services and accept supply donations such items as nuts, fruits, vegetables, seeds, cleaning supplies and pet foods. In keeping with its motto, "Receive, Rehab, Release," the Wildlife Sanctuary receives injured or orphaned wildlife, provides medical care and fostering during recovery, and rehabilitates and releases the animals if possible. Its staff and volunteers also work in cooperation with local, state and federal wildlife agencies to provide educational outreach and conduct educational programs as well as an internship program. While working with Wildlife Sanctuary personnel, interns gain practical and learn skills including individual species identification, animal handling, hand- and tube-feeding birds and mammals, administering medication, charting procedures, species-specific dietary requirements and care, animal intake and public education. 

The sanctuary is open for self-guided tours Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Its website, PensacolaWildlife.org, offers guidance on what to do and not to do if you find a wild animal, and specific instructions for helping specific animals that might be encountered in our area. 

The Wildlife Sanctuary’s ability to continue this mission depends on the generosity of the public via monetary donations, supply donations and volunteer hours. A wish list of donations can be found at PensacolaWildlife.org (click on the “How You Can Help” tab). Donations are also accepted seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 105 North S St., Pensacola. For more information, contact the sanctuary directly at 850-433-9453 or find it on Facebook.