Cape Wildlife Center Executive Director Zak Mertz
BARNSTABLE – After losing its Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) funding in October, the Cape Wildlife Center nearly closed down at the start of this month.
A band of volunteers worked to keep the operation going with reduced services until March 1st. But a new agreement will keep it going for at least two more years.
One of only two animal rehabilitation facilities on Cape Cod, Cape Wildlife has teamed up with New England Wildlife Center, the Pegasus Foundation and Friends of the Cape Wildlife Center to keep full operations steady.
Founder of the Pegasus Foundation Barbara Birdsey said the center is critical to animals and people from across the region.
“We’re hoping to use this year to stabilize the programs,” Birdsey said. “The Center is critical because of the research work that has gone on there and the training it provides to veterinarians.”
Birdsey said the Center’s mission moving forward is to continue to provide those services, but in a way which involves the public more than ever before.
New England Wildlife Center will provide medical supplies, while the Friends organization will fundraise and manage volunteers.
According to Birdsey, HSUS was cooperative in providing an extended lease to the Center.
The Barnstable operation was originally established in Birdsey’s former home, a property she donated. After moving to a different facility, it eventually moved back to that same structure.
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