The Future of Red Creek Wildlife Center
Many wildlife rehabilitators treat and house animals directly from their homes and conduct the work themselves. Unfortunately, this work is often temporary, lasting from a few years (the average is three) to the lifetime of the rehabilitator. Rarely is the work carried on to the next generation.
From the beginning, Peggy Hentz, Red Creek’s founder and director, has had a vision of her work succeeding her into the future. With a clear focus on this vision, Red Creek has steadily grown, gaining recognition and respect throughout the state of Pennsylvania, as well as nationally.
Our steps have been steady and monumental and the time has come for Red Creek to advance to the next level — A FULL SERVICE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION, TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTER.
Our vision for the rehabilitation portion of the center would include X-ray capabilities, Surgery Suite, Laboratory, Nursery, RVS Enclosures, Raptor Recovery, Offices, and Outdoor Flights.
The education portion of the center would feature Live Wildlife Exhibits, Classroom, Lecture Hall or Auditorium, Gift Shop and public displays.
The biggest roadblocks to the development of a successful wildlife rehabilitation center have historically been lack of funding and staff. Because of this, wildlife rehabilitation is a service often lacking in many areas. With this in mind, Red Creek’s vision includes a solution which will solve the staffing issue within our organization as well as assist the growth of future rehabilitators nationwide.
The Future of Wildlife Rehabilitation
Most wildlife rehabilitators begin as hobbyists. Seeing a need for the service and having a great love for animals, they enter the field unprepared. Lacking education in animal husbandry, as well as running an organization which cannot support itself financially, the demands of the work often become overwhelming. Many rehabilitation centers close their doors by the third year. Those who continue for decades often find themselves supporting the activity, resulting in severe economic loss.
The future of rehabilitation, in general, requires the shifting of this hobby into a vocation. That transformation can come only with a structured educational opportunity being available, professionalizing the service.
Since the goal of Red Creek has always been to help wildlife, and we have proven that wildlife rehabilitation is a dynamic avenue toward achieving that goal, we believe that the work should be carried on into the future – AND THROUGHOUT THE NATION!
For this to be accomplished, Red Creek’s future must tie in with the future of wildlife rehabilitation as a whole. It is completely within our mission to instruct others in our methodology and vision.
The inclusion of a structured, tutorial program or school in Red Creek’s development plan would benefit not only the vocation of wildlife rehabilitation, but would also create an economical work force for the services Red Creek provides.
As part of Red Creek’s future plans, we would like to develop a two-year curriculum for students which would include classroom time, assignments and a full-time, hands-on internship, working directly with the animals.
Rehabilitation study subjects would include animal husbandry skills (diet and nutrition, housing, sanitation, species specific profiles), and veterinary techniques (hydration and fluid therapy, wound management, medications, medical math, fracture stabilization, etc.), thereby cultivating the skills needed for successful rehabilitation of all species.
Also included in the curriculum would be courses in non-profit business management, enabling the student to 
build a career that is not only personally satisfying but also financially self-sustaining.
Since public education is an essential part of wildlife rehabilitation, the student would also have the opportunity to participate in public presentations under the tutelage of our director, an accomplished and acclaimed public speaker.
The addition of training for future wildlife rehabilitators to our programming would prepare students, as well as create a work force for the services Red Creek provides.
