2001 Annual Report

June 2002 2001 Annual Report

N A T I O N A L W I L D L I F E R E H A B I L I T A T O R S A S S O C I A T I O N

Osprey NWRA MISSION STATEMENT

he National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is a nonprofit international membership organization T committed to promoting and improving the integrity and professionalism of wildlife rehabilitation and contributing to the preservation of natural ecosystems.

ur purpose is to foster continued improvement of O the profession of wildlife rehabilitation through the development of high standards of ethics and conduct. The NWRA also Nationa l Wi l d life Rehabi litat o r s Association strives to encourage networking and dissemination of knowledge to Boar d o f Direc t o r s 2001 individuals in support of its mission, P r esiden t E l aine Th r une and to engender respect for wildlife Vice P residents Danie l R. Ludwig, PhD and natural ecosystems. Michae l C ox Diane Nicker son WRA is incorporated for the Sec r eta ry E rica A. mil l er, DVM support of the science and Treasu rer John Huckabee, DVM profession of wildlife N Boa r d Member s Cu r tiss C l umpner rehabilitation and its practitioners. Susan Cou l son Wildlife rehabilitation is the Lessie Davis treatment and temporary care of Mar lene Eh resman Denise Hi l l -Ho l lyday injured, diseased, and displaced Jeannie Lo r d indigenous wildlife and the Knox Mar tin subsequent return of healthy animals Mark Mit chel l, DVM Bea O rendo r f f to appropriate habitats in the wild. Ma r tha Pok r as Bar bara Sut o F l o rina Tseng, DVM

Sta f f Executive Direc t o r Lisa Bo r gia O f fice Manager Deb Du f fy O f fice Assistan t Merine Hansen Webmaster Jim Fu l dner

Page 2 2001 ANNUAL REPORT LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

he past year has been one of unprecedented change and program growth for the National For the last two decades, the organization has led the T Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. Funding profession in important developments within the field. from generous grantors totaled more than $60,000 in This year was no exception, with NWRA’s hosting of a 2001! The Kenneth A. Scott Trust grant of $32,000 half-day session on wildlife rehabilitation at the funded several activities, including distribution of a Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Des Moines, free copy of the Minimum Standards for Iowa. This session marks the first Wildlife Rehabilitation to all members of For the last two decades, the time wildlife rehabilitation has been organization has led the profes- NWRA and IWRC, creation and two meetings sion in important developments extensively included at an outside of the “Excellence in Wildlife Rehabilitation within the field. profession’s conference program. Working Group”, and a meeting of all state and NWRA also hosted the first ever provincial rehabilitation associations. The Helen Brach meeting of representatives from all state and provincial Foundation contributed $15,000 to the Executive associations, in an effort to improve the care of Director’s position, which allowed the organization to wildlife. The association conducted its third ever have more funds available for programs. Bayer strategic planning session in 2001, and renewed its contributed almost $10,000 for the Wildlife dedication to promoting wildlife rehabilitation as a Rehabilitation Medicine course, presented at three profession worldwide. veterinary schools in 2001. Mobil donated $5,000 for the Symposium icebreaker and $1,000.00 for matching The organization’s flagship publication, the Quarterly volunteer hours. The Eric A. Orendorff scholarship Journal, has a new look and name in 2001. The fund received approximately $1,500 for individual expanded Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin made its contributions. NWRA sincerely thanks all these successful debut this year. The Bulletin contains peer- donors. reviewed articles, articles with practical information, and field notes. A new sister publication, The Wildlife Unfortunately, NWRA grant activity ceased after Rehabilitator, also debuted this year, and is the the events in New York and Pennsylvania on association’s newsletter. The Rehabilitator contains September 11th. We continue to submit grant association matters and current news of interest to proposals for the upcoming year. Wonderful programs members and rehabilitators. NWRA is an organization are in need of funding, including the Wildlife it’s members can be proud of. As we look to 2002 and Rehabilitation Medicine course, the membership NWRA’s twentieth year, we are planning many more survey, and the Executive Director’s position. Quality years of success! programs deserve funding, and we are confident that grantors will support them. -lisa borgia

Changes in the Central Office

elcome to our newest staff member, Merine Rehabilitation Bulletin and The Wildlife Rehabilitator. Hansen! Merine was promoted to the full Merine will also be handling membership renewals and W time position of Office Assistant on January new member applications, sales orders, and various 1, 2001. She had previously worked part-time at the other tasks. office doing data entry and helping our office manager, Deb Duffy on sales tasks. Her new duties include Please join us in making Merine one of the NWRA coordinating advertising in both the Wildlife family!

Page 3 2001 ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Financial report prepared by Schmitz & Ketchum, P.A.

Years Ended December 31 2001 2000 1999 1998 Support and revenue $253,628 $229,835 $196,741 $ 185,563 Expenses $257,334 $203,897 $155,861 $ 132,057 Change in Net Assets $ (3,706) $ 25,938 $ 40,880 $ 53,506 Net Assets Beginning-of-Year $394,716 $368,778 $327,898 $ 274,392 Net Assets End-of-Year $391,010 $394,716 $368,778 $ 327,898

Change in assets Positive % increase/ and liabilities 2001 2000 (minus) decrease total current assets $ 451,383 $ 440,581 $ 10,802 2.39 total liabilities $ 72,151 $ 58,090 $ 14,061 deferred restricted donations $ 13,403 $ 13,403 100 net assets $ 391,010 $ 394,716 $ (3,706) -0.948 total liabilities and net assets $ 463,161 $ 452,806 $ 10,355 2.236 net assets revenue total $ 253,628 $ 229,835 $ 23,793 9.381 expenses total $ 257,334 $ 203,897 $ 53,437 20.766 Change in net assets $ (3,706) $ 25,938 $(29,644) 799.892 net assets beginning $ 394,716 $ 368,778 $ 25,938 6.571 net assets ending $ 391,010 $ 394,716 $ (3,706) -0.948 net cash flows from operating activities $ 6,630 $ 42,753 $(36,123) -544.842 Increase (decrease) in cash $ 3,328 $ 35,813 $(32,485) -976.112 net cash flows from operating activities $ 6,630 $ 42,753 $(36,123) -544.842

$257 $204 $156 $132 $96 $254 $230 $197 $186 $108

'01 '00 '99 '98 '95 '01 '00 '99 '98 '95 Support and revenue Expenses (in thousands) (in thousands) $26 $41 $54 $12

($4) '01 '00 '99 '98 '95 Change in Net Assets (in thousands)

Page 4 2001 ANNUAL REPORT

a c t u a l expe n s e s $48,380 $48,344 $32,611 $28,951 $6,755 $28,364 $5,383 $20,816 $20,895 $3,062 $3,749 $3,464 $1,624 $1,085 ($6,745) $10,386 $90 $116 vp3 sales bulletin planning inv adjust inv president standards veterinary newsletter publications depreciation central office central membership administration grants/awards restricted/other symposium 2001 symposium executive director executive

a c t u a l r e v e n u e s $66,399 $70,558 $63,659 $13,783 $15,054 $20,872 $1,930 $930 $410 $33 sales bulletin interest 2001 director executive standards newsletter symposium central office membership restricted/other

Page 5 2001 ANNUAL REPORT $60,000.00

$50,000.00

$40,000.00 a c t u a l v s . b u d g e t

$30,000.00 actual expenses budgeted expenses

$20,000.00

$10,000.00

$- vp1 vp2 vp3 sales bylaws finance $(10,000.00) bulletin planning secretary treasurer adjust inv president education standards veterinary newsletter nomination publications depreciation central office central membership administration grants/awards public relations public restricted/other symposium 2001 symposium 2002 symposium 2003 executive director executive

$80,000.00

$70,000.00

$60,000.00

a c t u a l v s . b u d g e t $50,000.00 actual revenues budgeted revenues

$40,000.00

$30,000.00

$20,000.00

$10,000.00

sales bulletin interest 2001 2002 director executive veterinary standards newsletter symposium symposium publications membership central office central restricted/other

Page 6 2001 ANNUAL REPORT HAPPENINGS IN 2001

YMPOSIUM 2001 - by Deb Duffy Wildlife reha- surrounding the field of wildlife rehabilitation with funding bilitators are an all-too-rare, quirky breed and get- secured by NWRA from The Kenneth A. Scott Fund, A KeyBank Trust. The committee is a cross-section of individuals engaged S ting the chance to work and play with you is, within the field, including individual rehabilitators, presidents of out a doubt, the highlight of my job. That is why I love rehabilitation facilities, elected officers from both national attending the NWRA Sympo- wildlife rehabilitation organizations, sium each year. I can meet representatives of state and federal the new attendees and reac- regulatory agencies, and other out- quaint myself with the regu- side organizations. The committee’s lars. And this year's event charge was to identify the full range of issues affecting the field of wild- was no exception; in fact, life rehabilitation, and to the best of this was the best one yet for their abilities, offer guidance and me. And I wasn't alone in recommendations to improve the thinking this. One of our at- care provided by all wildlife reha- tendees had this to say: bilitators. "Being a beginner rehabber, The committee believes that it is im- college student and first portant when discussing wildlife timer at a symposium, the rehabilitation to include the full range of individuals who participate highlight was talking with in the care of injured or orphaned the pros from all over the Conceptual model depicting the path to improved care wildlife. The group agreed that the country. I was surprised by membership of national, state, or even local wildlife rehabilita- how friendly everyone was and how interested they tion organizations does not include the majority of individuals were in helping us students with networking and involved in wildlife rehabilitation. While many individuals ac- finding internships." tive in the professional organizations have high visibility within Over 70 speakers presented more than 90 presen- their regions, little is known about those who do not belong to either a state or national organization. Many of these rehabili- tations at Symposium 2001. Much time and effort goes tators are home based or work with a small network of other into obtaining speakers and it pays off. One registrant home based rehabilitators. These wildlife rehabilitators handle stated: "The quality and variety of speakers was very im- a large percentage of animals, and the committee believes a pressive." Several workshops were offered this year to special effort should be made to include their opinions, docu- provide quality hands-on learning experiences. We in- ment their needs, and assist them in improving the level of care cluded two new ones this year, the Raptor Hood Work- they provide. The conceptual model illustrates the path to shop and Beginning Rehabilitation and Education Work- excellence in rehabilitation and improved care. The dot- shop (BREW) Part II. Both were well received and you ted line at the bot- tom represents the can be assured of seeing them again in the future. Four N A T I O N A L W I L D L I F E various state regula- hundred sixty nine people registered for the symposium, R E H A B I L IT A T O R S tions, and the solid representing 44 states and two Canadian provinces. A S S O C I A T I O N line represents the enneth A. Scott Fund Grant NWRA strongly Federal regulations. Improving wildlife care supports the continual development of excel- From this “base” K rehabilitators move lence in wildlife rehabilitation. Early in 2001, through three stages 14 North 7th Avenue The Kenneth A. Scott Fund awarded NWRA a grant to St. Cloud, MN 56303 help move the profession forward. Each NWRA member of care “must do”, will receive a free copy of the Minimum Standards for “should do”, and Phone: 320-259-4086 Wildlife Rehabilitation, as well as a report from the work- “strive to do” on the way to professional Fax: 320-259-4086 (call first) ing group supported through this grant. We urge all Email: [email protected] members to read the report and consider the issues pre- excellence. On the web at: sented. An excerpt from the report follows: www.nwrawildlife.org On the weekend of April 27-29, 2001, a special ad hoc committee convened in Minneapolis, MN to explore the issues

Page 7 2001 ANNUAL REPORT NWRA FACTS

• Wildlife rehabilitators are committed to the treatment and subsequent release of indigenous wildlife in need. Estimates indicate over 75% of the animals cared for are affected in some manner by human activities. Nest tree destruction, vehicle collisions, unrestrained pets, illegal or legal wild “pet” trading, intentional or unintentional poisonings (including oil contamination), window collisions, and non-target trapping or shooting result in wildlife distress. • NWRA members treat hundreds of thousands of animals annually, some with little or no financial support. They provide educational programs to over 70 million people each year in an effort to reduce the negative impact people have on our native wildlife. • The NWRA is a unique wildlife organization because its members’ activities are focused on preserving individual wild animals, rather than preserving entire populations and their habitats. • The organization recognizes the need to proactively work with state and federal regulatory agencies. In 2001, a grant for $32,000 was obtained to facilitate a special committee of agency personnel, rehabilitators, and other wildlife professionals to address better relationships and regulatory processes. • In 1984 the NWRA had a membership of 221 people; by 1997 membership had grown to 1,771 people. In 2001, the membership reached 2,000 people from all over the world. • The members are a diverse group of people, ranging from those who work out of their homes to those who work in or run large wildlife rehabilitation centers, and ranging from interested beginners to experienced wildlife rehabilitation professionals. • Officers, board members, committee chairs, and committee members volunteer their time, money, and talents. • NWRA is committed to the value of educating the public about wild animals as individuals and as part of the intertwining web of life. Habitat preservation is essential to the continued existence of all creatures. • Approximately 95,000 birds, 43,000 mammals and 5,000 herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) were treated by 541 NWRA survey respondents in 1997. Overall release rate for those animals was 55% for birds, 68% for mammals, and 39% for herptiles. Respondents handled over 275,000 wildlife-related telephone calls, and over half provided wildlife education programs to the public, reaching an estimated 18 million people in 1997. • In 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued 3,250 Special Purpose Rehabilitation Permits (an increase from the 2,370 permits issued in 1986) for the rehabilitation of migratory birds. Thousands of other rehabilitators have state -issued permits for the care of state -protected non-migratory animals. The number of permits continues to increase. These numbers do not reflect the thousands of volunteers that work with those listed on the permits! • According to a recent membership survey, 27% of the members are veterinarians or veterinary technicians. Other members are affiliated with humane societies or zoos, still others are educators or biologists, or members of nu- merous other professions. • The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) incorporated August 25, 1982 in Illinois. The first national symposium exclusively on wildlife rehabilitation was held in February, 1982, in Naperville, Illinois. 262 people attended that first symposium. Over 500 people from around the world are expected to attend the 2004 Symposium.

• Annual symposium sites: 1993 Sacramento, California 1994 Wilmington, Delaware 1982 Naperville, Illinois 1995 Minneapolis, Minnesota 1983 Naperville, Illinois 1996 Houston, Texas 1984 Kalamazoo, Michigan 1997 Columbus, Ohio 1985 St. Paul, Minnesota 1998 Seattle, Washington 1986 Boston, Massachusetts 1999 Greensboro, North Carolina 1987 Clearwater Beach, Florida 2000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1988 Denver, Colorado 2001 Lake Tahoe, Nevada 1990 Ithaca, New York 2002 St. Louis, Missouri 1991 Schaumburg, Illinois 2003 Newport, Rhode Island 1992 New Orleans, Louisiana 2004 Orlando, Florida