Last Minute Deal Saves Cape Wildlife Center Until March

Eastern Bluebird

HYANNIS – A last minute arrangement will allow the Cape Wildlife Center to stay open through March 1.

The Humane Society of the United States, which operates the facility, had planned to close it on November 18.

But an agreement reached with the Pegasus Foundation will provide additional time to develop a long-term plan to provide continued service to injured wildlife on Cape Cod.

The Pegasus Foundation is an animal-welfare-oriented charity that is partially supported by long-time advocate and philanthropist Barbara Birdsey.

Birdsey and her family provided the original home and funding for the wildlife center on Route 6A in Barnstable.

A statement from the Humane Society said the agreement will allow like-minded agencies to work together to develop a plan for continued wildlife rehabilitation services on Cape Cod.

Input is being solicited from organizations including The New England Wildlife Center, IFAW, Tufts University Wild Care and other potential stakeholders.

Through March 1, Cape Wildlife Center will operate on a limited scale to provide emergency care and rehabilitation services for animals in need.

The center will depend on experienced and trained volunteers to augment the core staff who will remain.

“I’m immensely grateful to Barbara Birdsey and others for stepping up and allowing Cape Wildlife Center to operate during the winter months, albeit in a streamlined manner,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.

“We’ve always believed in the extraordinary work of the center, but just haven’t been able to get enough people to invest in this life-saving work. Maybe that changes starting today,” he said

Those wishing to support these efforts can donate to a special fund The Pegasus Foundation set up for this purpose. Donations may be made online through Pegasusfoundation.org, using the site’s PayPal link; make sure to select the cause “Cape Wildlife Center.” Donations may also be mailed to The Pegasus Foundation, P.O. Box 787, Hobe Sound, FL 33475; please denote the funds are for Cape Wildlife Center.

The Cape Wildlife Center opened its doors 16 years ago to provide emergency care and wildlife rehabilitation.

 

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