WildCare Foundation: Links

Help Feed The Animals

Give a Buck for Wild Life!

Every May, injured fawns arrive at WildCare. Some have leg injuries like this little buck in the foreground. He was securely bedded down in the tall grasses on the edge of a pond in the Arbuckle’s. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors. That was the same thought a man had as he took off to go noodling at his favorite farm pond. Both the fawn and this man were embracing a beautiful spring day until their lives collided.

As the man stepped out of the pond he placed his foot in the tall grasses. Unbeknown to him his foot happened to land right on the hind leg of this sleeping baby. The fawn cried for mom, the man jumped back but the tendons in the hind leg of the fawn had been torn. The fawn couldn’t stand. The doe was calling from the tree line and this man’s heart broke. He knew this small baby wouldn’t survive if he couldn’t stand and nurse. He knew the doe would be devastated to watch as he carried off her baby but it was the only thing that could help save the fawn.

In a few hours the fawn arrived at WildCare. A temporary splint was put on “Arbuckle’s” hind leg. Stabilization protocol was initiated and then he was taken to Oklahoma Equine Hospital for radiographs. Dr. Joe Carter confirmed that the ligaments were torn. A splint was made to fit his slender leg. Dr. Carter was hopeful that in several weeks the tendons would heal and if they didn’t then he would have to operate. We were anxious to see how this 6 pound baby would respond. Then the WildCare admission door opened once more. A fawn only a few days older than Arbuckle was in a lady’s arms. She found this fawn in the wooded area of the Oakridge addition in Norman. You could barely see one eye; the rest of her face was covered in tick. The other eye, jaw, a muzzle was swollen and infected. Her left eye couldn’t even open. Once “Oakridge” was stabilized, the ticks were removed and then antibiotics were started. These two fawns were great company for each other. Both had medical conditions that preempted them from running and play with the healthy fawns.

In a few weeks the swelling went down and Oakridge’s eye was open. Thankfully there was no long term damage to the eye. A few weeks after Oakridge’s good news we removed the splint on Arbuckle. The little fawn on long gangly legs stood up. He stretched and placed weight on his hind foot without support for the first time in a month. The hoof didn’t buckle under. He took a few more steps gently. He excitedly wagged his tail and then trotted off to play with the other fawns.

Every one of the 3,800 animals that arrives at WildCare has a story which touches our souls. Each one of the 3,800 animals needs food, medication, and proper housing so one day they can take their first step back into the wild.

Hopefully you have been touched by the story of Arbuckle and Oakridge. So how can you help? With a $10 donation to “Give a Buck for Wildlife” you will be helping supply the food, and medication to help other injured wildlife that arrive at WildCare. It may be another precious spotted fawn, or a fluffy owl chick that was on the ground after the tree he was born in fell.

What do you get in return? WildCare will send you a “before and after” picture designed to be hung on a holiday tree to show your friends and family that you also care for wildlife at this holiday time.

“Give a Buck for Wildlife” is a simple way to show you care about wildlife each life at a time! You can also share your love and respect for the animals in the wild by supporting “Give a Buck for Wildlife” in a friend’s name. They will receive a gift card stating that you thought enough of them to make a donation to WildCare in their name. They will receive the story of Arbuckle along with the ornament for their enjoyment.

WildCare's basic purpose, our reason for existing, is to provide a place where injured and orphaned wildlife will have a chance to survive and be free once more in the wild. We achieve our goal each time an animal is set free. But as they fly across the sky or bound into the trees to freedom, they do not turn and say good bye or thank you. With your participation in “Give a Buck for Wildlife” you will hear their 3800 THANK YOUs!

Donate by using our secure PayPal shopping cart -- click the Buy Now button below. Note: if your donation is a gift to a friend or family member, be sure to include the recipient's name and address in the PayPal Special Instructions area before you check out or call WildCare at (405) 872-9338 / e-mail us with the gift delivery instructions.