News

Safe & Sound up and running
Wildlife rehabber finalizes non-profit status
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--For fourteen years Gray Wildlife rehabilitator Caryl Widdowsen has donated her time, energy and money to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and sick small mammals. Licensed by the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Caryl has devotedly spent countless hours nursing sick or abandoned mice, possum, raccoons, and many other small mammals unable to care for themselves and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready.

Caryl says she does it because all animals are important to the ecosystem, even and especially the ones many others would love to see shooed away from their homes and barns. Ms. Widdowson says that all animals are important in the food chain of life. That is why she spends day and night helping animals in distress, and to top it off, she does not receive one penny in pay for doing so.

For two years, Ms. Widdowson has been working toward creating a 501©3 IRS tax-exempt organization, and she reports that it is finally complete. Called "Safe & Sound," Ms. Widdowson says that "Nothing is going to change, and that is important for my neighbors to know. I will not be working with birds, because I am not licensed for that. I am not now going to be rehabilitating bears or other large mammals, I will be doing the same thing I have always been doing," she says.

The difference now is that citizens who donate money or goods to her rehabilitation efforts will now be able to receive a tax exemption for that donation. It also makes it possible for Ms. Widdowsen to apply for and be eligible for grants. She is hoping to earn a grant that will allow her to expand her home and build more shelters.

If you see an injured animal, the best thing is to call a rehabilitator, such as Widdowsen, whose number is 657-2094. If you choose to approach the animal, wear gloves and cover the animal with a blanket to protect yourself and the animal from injury. Other rehabilitators in Cumberland County are listed below.

One of about 100 rehabbers in Maine, Ms. Widdowson was recently the subject of a SALT Documentary photographic essay and study by Brian Henry. Henry spent many hours and days with Ms. Widdowsen, shadowing her throughout the day and early evening while she was administering to animals. The photographs will be on display at SALT Gallery in Portland.

Cumberland County Rehabilitators:
Caryl Widdowson, Gray,207-657-2094. cwnature1@juno.com. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Small Mammals, Bats, Herps (reptiles & amphibians), Porcupines, Raccoons, Skunks

Amy Dolloff, Raymond, 207-787-3086. hedgebogfarm@yahoo.com. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS

Megan Laughlin, Raymond, 207-428-3348, Rehab Type: NO BIRDS.
Pam Richardson, Raymond, 207-428-3348.Pol89500@hotmail.com. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS

Jack Knight, Brighton, 207-647-5718 (home). 207-647-3454 (work). bimbim@megalink.net. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Bats, foxes.

Kappy Sprenger, Avian Rehabilitator, Bridgton, 207-647-5593. KappyS@Megalink.net. Rehab Type: Specialty in waterbirds, will accept mammals for EMERGENCY CARE ONLY.

Merle Cousins, Bridgton, 207-647-8279. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Small & Large Mammals.

Carlene Crawford, East Baldwin, 207-787-2774. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Small & Large Mammals.

Jennifer Hale, Gorham, 207-642-3283. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Small Mammals.

Louise Poppema, Cumberland 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 207-829-3356 (home). 207-829-8047 (business). prrrs@maine.rr.com. Rehab Type: NO BIRDS. Orphaned Small Mammals, Foxes, Porcupines, Raccoons. No Adult, Injured Animals.

David Sparks, Windham, Sparks Arks, 207-892-8905, Rehab Type: Adult, Injured, Orphaned, Small & Large Mammals. Bats, Foxes, Herps (reptiles & amphibians), Porcupines, Raccoons, Raptors, Songbirds.

Kate Ziminsky, Portland, 207-878-0034, kziminsky@hotmail.com Rehab Type: Bats.