Wildlife Recovery Association - Shepherd, Michigan

Stu V.

Joe and Barb are excellent presenters. The birds of prey presentations are both educational and entertaining. They are very knowledgeable about birds and the habitats they live in.

B G.

Over many years and many experiences, the Wildlife Recovery Association continues to impress me with their love and care in rehabilitation of injured birds along with lifelong care to those birds who cannot return to the wild.
For over 20 years I have seen presentations, visited their location and volunteered to help, from painting with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, friends and my son's Eagle Scout Project to sorting food, photographing events and doing anything we possibly can for the organization.
Their personal sacrifices always put the welfare of their animals above their own. Their entire family has worked tirelessly in their recovery efforts.
This is our family's first priority in support of their efforts every year.
Please support them in any way possible. We do.

DEBRA G.

I have seen presentations by Joe Rogers at Schoolcraft College and found them to be very informative and educational. The birds were well handled and were not stressed. They were calmly observing the room, and not hanging upside down or flapping . I took my mother to a presentation just prior to her dementia getting much worse. She was so touched by the presentation that she told me she wanted to personally donate so that they could continue to rehabilitate raptors and make presentations. This was the first time she ever wanted to support an animal-related charity. That is how touched she was. I have had other presenters share wild animals , including birds of prey, with my students. I never observed Joe Rogers doing anything inappropriate or unlike the other presenters. All of these groups all have an important message to share through their ambassador animals. None of these people are in this business to make a buck, but rather to share what they love. People will not be motivated to conserve what they don't understand or love. That is the goal of these presentations and organizations that attempt to reach the public.

Also, this group ONLY deals with birds of prey, despite the name. If people find injured or baby wildlife and know for sure there are no parents around, search Google. We do not have many wildlife rehabilitators in Michigan and sometimes you have to drive a long distance. These people do not make a salary for what they do . All of them do this work with their own money or donations. Once I drove about 45 miles at 12:30 am with a squirrel so young that he looked like a fetus. But my trip was worth it and the person was able to save him.

Tim B.

They may well do a decent job of wildlife rehabilitation, and I imagine that their hearts are in the right place but their raptor handling techniques are barbaric and appalling! I have been a raptor handler myself for 25 years and can tell you that grabbing birds by their legs and waving them around is NOT how this is properly done! The sad thing is that there is a body of experience and knowledge in this field that can minimize the stress on captive birds and they choose not to use it. This is cruelty to these magnificent animals and I cannot in good conscience support this organization..

Amy S.

Wish I could give more stars. AMAZING♡♡ Barb and Joe and Joey(🐾 ) from Wildlife Recovery Association Shepherd Mi thank you so much for being so kind and caring! So happy to have found you and you can help our feathered friend. Your compassion and knowledge shows through. Thank you for the education and also for allowing me to meet your special friends there with you. Thank You♡

Sandi L.

I have not had the dubious pleasure to see one of these dog and pony shows, thank goodness. From descriptions by people who have, his probation by USFW was well warranted. Reputable raptor education centers carefully and gently train their birds to accept handling and sitting quietly on the glove during presentations. Open-mouth breathing, flapping, and "hanging by their toes from straps" as described by Mr Rogers in a recent letter to supporters (who clearly don't understand proper raptor education principles) are signs that the bird is in distress and doesn't like being there. Upper leg holds are used only in medical and rehab settings on wild birds, or to perform minor procedures on captive birds, and should never be the way they are presented to the public. Please do not be foolish enough to believe that screaming, waving the bird around to make it flap, restraining a vulture's head to play "peek-a-boo" through its nostrils, and other similar techniques are in any way condoned by the educated raptor presenters or others who love and respect native wildlife. Proper presentation may be less exciting, but it is considerably more humane and respectful of these beautiful birds.

Katie G.

My family has been volunteering with WRA for years, and we love them and the work they do! Programs are engaging and educational, staff are fun and friendly, the rescued program birds are happy and healthy, and the recovery work they do is incredible. Not to mention, when an organization I work with needed a raptor program on short notice because of a cancellation (48 hours!), WRA stepped up and blew the audience away!

In regards to allegations of animal "mishandling," WRA was working in accordance with what their permits have required for over 20 years. When they were notified of a change in requirements (birds perching on open gloves rather than being held by the ankles), they changed their actions to match. Not as simple as it sounds, but their concern for the animals in their care, as well as following what their permits say, is tantamount.

Marianne M.

Great organization. They really care about all they are doing to preserve wildlife and they continue to share their knowledge with the public. I have seen many of their presentations and everyone always enjoys the show. They also offer exceptional opportunities for everyone in our area to volunteer and become better educated. This is an important organization that continues to give from the heart.