CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN: Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary Treats Injured, Orphaned ‘Patients’

By  //  November 2, 2018

dedicated staff and volunteers who go above and beyond for the vulnerable wildlife

Florida WildlifeHospital and Sanctuary treats approximately 5,000 injured or orphaned wildlife patients every year, for it is as it should be since the whole point is to help the creatures return to the natural world.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The 200-plus volunteers and the small staff at Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary never get so much as a “thank you” from their patients. In fact, these folks have to be careful, because some of their patients could inflict serious damage with their beaks, talons or jaws.

The lack of gratitude doesn’t phase the folks at the Palm Shores facility that treats approximately 5,000 injured or orphaned wildlife patients every year, for it is as it should be, since the whole point is to help the creatures return to the natural world.

Although in existence since 1973, Florida Wildlife Hospital maintains a low profile, primarily because the folks at the place are so busy caring for patients that they have little time to toot their own horns.

“We don’t want to be a well-kept secret,” said executive director Tracy Frampton, who has launched several initiatives to raise awareness of the hospital’s work in the community.

“We have dedicated staff and volunteers who go above and beyond for the vulnerable wildlife in our community. They are passionate and caring and much of their work goes unnoticed.”

One thing is for certain at the hospital – you never know what will come through the door next. It could be a gopher tortoise that has been hit by a car but somehow survived, requiring months of rehabilitation as its carapace mends.

It could be an orphaned fawn or a litter of abandoned possums. Pelicans and gulls often get tangled in fishing line or plastic litter.

The 200-plus volunteers and the small staff at Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary never get so much as a “thank you” from their patients. In fact, these folks have to be careful, because some of their patients could inflict serious damage with their beaks, talons or jaws.

Because Brevard is located smack in the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, the hospital has treated countless different bird species that have run into trouble with disease or accident. Some leave even avid birders like Frampton scratching their heads.

Well-meaning humans also add to the patient load by transporting what they consider are abandoned wildlife babies at the hospital’s doorstep, when the mother was just out looking for dinner. Baby bunnies and squirrels may arrive by the hundreds and they require plenty of round-the-clock care, plus loads of patience.

Everyone has a special diet here, and food and care is expensive, yet the hospital receives no government funds and depends primarily on private donations – and volunteer elbow grease – to continue.

Why is helping wildlife important? Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, perhaps put it best when she said, “I feel I am nothing without wildlife.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN SPOTLIGHT: Mark Pieloch – ‘When People Need Help, You Help’Related Story:
CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN SPOTLIGHT: Mark Pieloch – ‘When People Need Help, You Help’

2018 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS SET NOV. 8

The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. 

The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created nine years ago by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.

The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.

TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.

TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fundraising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.

All 2018 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2018 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and on SpaceCoastDaily.com.  The magazine will be available the first week of October in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com

Space Coast Public Service Awards To Honor Outstanding Public Servants With Lifetime Achievement RecognitionRelated Story:
Space Coast Public Service Awards To Honor Outstanding Public Servants With Lifetime Achievement Recognition

ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:

• Jessica Andre
• Leonard Beam
• Harry Brandon, in Memoriam
• Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Pet Posse
• Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Volunteers
• Bridges Foundation
• Michael Bross, A Step Up
• Keri Anne Demott Foundation
• Lori Duester and Liz Mikitarian, Youth Mental Health Task Force
• Florida Wildlife Hospital & Sanctuary
• Christine Lance
• Rev. Lorenzo Laws
• Larry McNamara, Giant Recreation World
• Dr. David Neely
• Neighbors of Suntree
• Ashley Nolan
• Mark Pieloch, Founder of the Muscle Car Museum
• Dr. Mark Pinsky
• Joe Rodriguez, McDonald’s Restaurants of Brevard County
• Susan Slaton
• Stephen Thaggard, Embrace Home Loans
• The Avenue Viera
• Barbie Thrower, Community Treatment Center
• Valiant Air Command Volunteers
• Mac McLouth, 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree

Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM

As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Palm Bay Hospital, Melbourne Regional Medical Center, Rockledge Regional Medical Center, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center. 

Dr. Jim Palermo

“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Space Coast Daily Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.

JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Total Home Roofing, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Paper Simple, Embrace Home Loans, Adventure HQ, Florida Pain Institute, CFP Care Team, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN: Jessica André Hits Mark in Her Many Volunteer, Philanthropic ActivitiesRelated Story:
CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN: Jessica André Hits Mark in Her Many Volunteer, Philanthropic Activities

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS