June 11 - Baby Bunnies

Day 162 of a year of Kindness

I heard that the local wildlife clinic needed some towels, so I drove over and gave them some. I have driven by the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island thousands of times, and have never stepped foot in it. When I stepped through the door this afternoon, I was greeted by an owl sitting on the receptionist's shoulder. Seconds later, I met Gail, a bunny rehabber. She was picking up teeny, tiny baby bunnies to take care of in her home. She’s been helping baby bunnies for 15 years.

I learned that the wildlife center rescues more than 6,000 animals a year. Right now it’s “baby season” so robins, bunnies, songbirds etc. are being dropped off at the clinic. Their nests are being disturbed by predators and humans. It made me realize how many unbelievably kind souls rescue these tiny animals and deliver them to the wildlife clinic. And other kind souls, like Gail, take them home to love on them until they are ready to go free. The clinic has a whole network of animal rehabbers.

Gail showed me one of her bunnies and then tucked it back into its little warm pocket. She will feed them with a syringe and then help them learn to eat on their own. Once they are healthy, she will release them into the wild. I had no idea about this level of love and care three miles from my home. I brought a few old towels and in return learned about a community supported by the kindness of strangers and rehabbers.

Science of kindness: Science reveals that rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals is important because it saves injured or orphaned animals and fosters empathy and responsibility in people. #bekind #kindnessiscontagious #kindnessisfree #kindness #wildlifeclinicofrhodeisland #animalrescue