Georgetown Edition | August 2025

Nonpro t

BY ANNA MANESS

In 2012, Helen Laughlin began rehabilitating wild animals in need out of her home. Seven years later, Laughlin opened All Things Wild Rehabilitation, a nonprot northeast of Georgetown equipped with sta and volunteers who help orphaned, sick or injured animals—from fawns to skunks—return to the wild. The big picture Director Sharon Dunning began volunteering in 2020 and now oversees the nonprot’s edu- cational programs. Seeing wounded, hurt or neglected animals arrive at the facility breaks her heart, she said. “They’re just so helpless, and they want you to help them and feed them and love on them,” Dunning said. During its busiest season, the nonprot is staed with around eight or nine full-time employees, who tend to the animals’ needs and feed them, Dunning said. All Things Wild Rehabilitation also relies on volunteers, with about 50 who help out weekly, she said. “Everybody here loves animals,” Dunning said. As of early August, the rehabilitation center has seen 3,754 animals in 2025 and Dunning antici- pates reaching 4,000 by the end of the year. How it works To restore injured animals back to health, the nonprot’s team works under veterinarian protocols to set broken bones, administer pain medications and more. Volunteer veterinarians assist the nonprot with complicated surgeries, like wing amputations, Dunning said. Animals are usually returned back to where they came from, and are always released into safe environments with food and water—far away from roads or predators, Dunning said. Setting animals back into the wild after rehabilitating them makes Dunning feel like a proud parent, she said. “You’re invested in their well being and so you feel good,” Dunning said. “It’s kind of like sending the kids o to school.” Going forward While the nonprot is entirely funded through donations, the team never turns animals away, Dunning said. Looking ahead, she said the non- prot’s biggest wish is to expand from its current two-acre site. Nonprot All Things Wild Rehabilitation helps animals return home

All Things Wild Rehabilitation director Sharon Dunning holds up one of several opossums the nonprot is caring for.

PHOTOS BY ANNA MANESSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

All Things Wild Rehabilitation volunteers and sta nurture orphaned, sick or injured birds back to health.

Speedy the Turtle was brought into All Things Wild Rehabilitation after receiving damage to his outer shell.

“We need more space,” Dunning said. “We would really be thrilled if we could nd a donor to donate some land.” The takeaway Residents who discover wounded or neglected wild animals can contact All Things Wild Rehabili- tation to be advised on what to do. “We all love animals, and we would like to see them grow, and [be] nurtured back,” Dunning said.

145

1105

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HAVELKA RD.

300 Havelka Road, Georgetown www.allthingswildrehab.org

GEORGETOWN EDITION