Start Up Funds Sought For Wildlife Rescue Hotline

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Start Up Funds Sought For Wildlife Rescue Hotline

CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 -/E-Wire/-- California based wildlife rescuer, Rebecca Dmytryk, is seeking financial backers for a\toll-free wildlife rescue hotline to serve Southern California. Working with a local telecommunications company, Rebecca has designed a system that will provide communities from Santa Barbara to San Diego with a 24-hour hotline. The hotline will provide callers with emergency information and a way to reach the wildlife rehabilitator nearest them. While this pilot program, the only one of its kind in the US, will debut in Southern California, Dmytryk believes it has the potential to go national.

The hotline, a product of Dmytryk's years (20) of experience in public service and wildlife rescue, could solve a number of existing problems:

One of the greatest problems is the delay in getting a person who has found a wild animal in touch with someone who can correctly identify it, assess its condition, and properly handle the emergency - a wildlife rehabilitator. When a person finds a wild animal, they usually think to call their local shelter, pet shop, or veterinarian for help. Frequently they meet with a busy signal, get put on hold, are given another number to call, or are gravely misinformed. Another major problem - the current policies of municipal animal control agencies are indescriminately euthanizing viable native wild animals rather than transferring them to rehabilitators. This violates federal and state laws meant to protect these animals.

The hotline being developed by Dmytryk offers a solution to the myriad problems that exist. With ONE exclusive toll-free number, the general public can access emergency information, receive suggestions on what to do if they've found an animal, and how to keep safe while helping it. It will also give them the phone number of the wildlife rehabilitator nearest them who specializes in the species they've found. It's like a 911 for injured wildlife.

The hotline will also provide help with urban wildlife problems. A separate "tree" of tutorials will offer advice on safe, humane, and sustainable methods of deterring wildlife from homes and yards in hope of reducing the number of animals needlessly killed by pest control operators.

Rebecca is hoping to have 866-766-WILD operational by late March when the wildlife rescues skyrocket. Her final task however is to raise the $7,500.00 necessary for programming the state-of-the-art computer system. It will take about four weeks to set up the Interactive Voice Response program and record the scripts which will be offered in both English and Spanish. Rebecca expects to generate about 50-75 calls per day in the first year, increasing to about 200 the following season. With that in mind, the expected annual operating cost may be close to $30,000.00. For more information Rebecca Dmytryk can be contacted at WildRescue by calling the Toll-free number 866-766-WILD or locally [REDACTED-PHONE]. Contributions should be mailed Attention Rebecca Dmytryk, C/O EarthWays 20110 Rockport Way, Malibu, CA 90265 - checks made to EarthWays / WildRescue. Donations are tax deductable.

Rebecca Dmytryk, 818/971-7172

[REDACTED-EMAIL]

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