The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary (RWS) was founded in 2004 with a mission to:
* Provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife while they are being prepared for release back into the wild;
* Inform our fellow citizens about what to do when they find an injured or orphaned wild animal, and who to contact for help with the animal; and,
* Educate the citizens of Central Virginia about the habitats and needs of native wildlife.
Since their founding in 2004, the annual census has increased every year and the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary has rescued, rehabilitated and released thousands of animals back into the wild. In 2009, they cared for 625 individual animals including songbirds, turtles, raccoons, chimney swifts, hawks, owls and opossum, among many other species. Animals come into their care through direct referral and through the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which provides acute care to injured animals and depends on them to nurse animals back to health and manage appropriate release.
Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary serves the people and wildlife of Central Virginia, with more than 75% of the animals cared for coming from Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The wildlife they care for are species that are native to Virginia. As the human population increases, wildlife habitat diminishes, leaving more and more animals in harm's way. The number of animals cared for by RWS grows each year, and they expect this growth to continue.
Nathou Attinger, Founder and President of the Board, is a state- and federally-licensed wildlife rehabilitator and leads a team of interns, volunteers, and paid staff during the busy season, April through September.
In addition to their operating expenses (staff, animal food, medical supplies, and other animal care needs), they are raising money to renovate a barn at the Miller School. With this more central location for the main wildlife rehabilitation center, they can expand their services, work with the students to educate them about wildlife and their habitat and care needs, and keep the older animals at the Nelson County site.
For more information about RWS, the animals they serve, and their plans, please contact the CACF office or visit the RWS website, www.rockfishwildlifesanctuary.org