Florida Wild Mammal Association

The temporary phone number is 850-363-2351.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Florida Wild Mammal Association Inc (FWMA)?

FWMA was incorporated in August 1994 and moved to Wakulla County in 1995. FWMA was founded by Chris and Mike Beatty as a place to bring sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in need of treatment and care until recovered and subsequently released back into their natural habitat.

Who runs FWMA?

FWMA is run by a board of directors. Chris Beatty is the Executive Director. She and her family own and live on the property and are the main caregivers of the animals. She is assisted by dedicated volunteers who help by cleaning cages, picking up supplies, presenting education programs, being available for rescue work, performing accounting/bookkeeping functions, organizing fundraising events, preparing publications and helping with the general care of the animals. Through the services of these dedicated volunteers, FWMA is able to remain open and care for the growing number of animals it receives each year. Thank God for these very special people who give so freely of their time to help our community.

Where is FWMA located?

FWMA is located on the south side of Crawfordville, Florida. The facility spans six-plus wooded acres. The property is owned by the Beatty’s and was rezoned to be a wildlife hospital in 1996. The physical address is 198 Edgar Poole Road, Crawfordville, FL, 32327.

How to contact FWMA…..

By phone: (850)926-8308 Cell Phone: (850)519-3285

Website address: www.wakullawildlife.org

E-mail address: ChoppaOtta8@aol.com

Or write to: FWMA, 198 Edgar Poole Road, Crawfordville, FL, 32327

If you would like to see pictures of our animals, please visit:

Mona Lisa Photos

When if FWMA open?

Unfortunately, FWMA is not open to the public due to permit restrictions but volunteer hours are Monday through Saturday 8am to 12 noon. If you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, please contact FWMA to arrange for the animal to be brought to the facility as quickly as possible; (remember….animals such as baby birds need to eat every 20 minutes – the first hour is critical to survival). Please do not feed or provide water for any animal that you have found – the wrong treatment, however will intended, can be fatal. You may call 24 hours a day for animal emergencies or between 9am and 4pm for general inquiries.

What area does FWMA serve?

FWMA serves three rural counties – Wakulla, Franklin and Jefferson counties. It is a large region that spans over 1.739 square miles. In addition, the wildlife rehabilitation center located to the west of FWMA (St. Joe Wildlife Sanctuary) has closed resulting in an increase in FWMA calls for assistance from as far away as Gulf and Bay Counties. We also provide care to southern Leon County. Providing wildlife care throughout six counties is a tremendous undertaking.

What type of animals does FWMA care for?

Although we are called Florida Wild Mammal Association we take care of all native wildlife including birds. FWMA also receives exotics and some farm animals on a limited basis. FWMA DOES NOT provide for people’s pets. In 2004 FWMA provided care for:

Over 360 wild birds (including hawks, owls, songbirds, seabirds and water fowl)
Over 350 mammals (including deer, opossums, squirrels, flying squirrels, beavers and bobcats
Over 80 reptiles (including box turtles, gopher tortoises and water turtles)
Over 95 exotics & farm animals (including turkeys, geese, pigs, ducks and exotic turtles)

Sixty-one percent (61%) of the animals brought to the facility were released back into the wild. Twelve percent (12%) remain in care at FWMA or were transferred to other permitted education facilities. Overall, seventy-three (73%) of the animals brought to FWMA survived.

What is the charge for taking care of wildlife patients?

There is no charge to bring any animal to FWMA for treatment. Animals are treated until they are recovered and ready to be released. For those with injuries considerable enough to prevent their return into their natural habitat, FWMA either places them with another permitted education facility or provides a permanent home at FWMA where they often become the stars of our educational programs. Most of the animals brought to FWMA are sick or injured and require veterinary care, natural diets and special caging. The cost of running the facility is significant. All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible.

How many animals are treated at FWMA each year?

As Wakulla County and surrounding counties continue to grow and become more populated. FWMA’s structures as well as being displaced by development are the main causes of injuries to our wild neighbors. In 2004, FWMA provided care for over 900 animals’ an incredible increase when compared to 1995’s statistics of 73 animals. FWMA realizes an increase of approximately 100 animals per year. In 2005, FWMA expects to receive over 1,000 animals.

What types of injuries are most common in the animals FWMA receives?

In most cases animals become sick, injured or orphaned due to interaction with humans and/or their pets. We see many animals caught by cats and dogs, hit by cars, caught in fishing lines, shot, made sick from pollutants, and hung in fences. Although most of our patients are brought in because of the aforementioned reasons, we have also provided care for animals suffering with West Nile, Distemper, Tetanus and Lung Flukes – these animals are but a small percentage of our overall intake. FWMA works closely with Wakulla County Health Department during outbreaks of any disease.

What is FWMA’s busiest time of year?

FWMA maintains a full schedule year round. But our most active time of the year occurs from the end of March until the end of September (Baby Season). This is the time of year when all the native critters have their babies. Many of these youngin’s arrive at our doorstep!!! For example; baby songbirds, which we receive by the hundreds, must be fed every 20 minutes from sun up to sun down. Nature’s law of what goes in must come out demands for cages to be changed continually. Baby squirrels, baby opossums, baby foxes, baby raccoons and baby deer arrive on a daily basis too, dehydrated and in need of continual 24-hour care. The phone literally rings non-stop!! ….This is a great time to volunteer!!! In 2005, w3e need an additional building to properly house our growing number of patients. We plan to renovate an old greenhouse into an animal care area … carpenters, electricians and plumbers plus all building supplies are greatly needed.

Does FWMA offer any education programs?

FWMA offers the local community a wide variety of educational programs. These include programs offered through the local high school, such as a scholarship program wherein students have the ability to earn community service hour credits towards a scholarship by working at our facility; participating in cage building projects and work days funded by the Learn and Serve Program. FWMA is part of the T.O.P.P.S. program that gives special education students the opportunity to gain work experience. We also provide young people in the Juvenile Justice Program the opportunity to complete their community service hours. FWMA participates in Project Learning Tree Programs. Presently, FWMA’s volunteers are preparing a selection of permanent animals for use in outreach programs which in turn, will be presented to local schools and civic groups. FWMA accommodates many groups and clubs for special building projects and workdays as well as attends events within the local community. Wakulla Senior Citizen’s Center provides assistance to FWMA by folding the many newspapers required to line wildlife cages on a daily basis.

How much does it cost to run FWMA?

In 2004 it cost approximately $40,000 to run the facility. This equates approximately $45 per animal. That cost does not include any full-time employees although we did pay two part-time contract laborers when funds permitted. The average cost of most rehabilitation centers is $67 per animal. If FWMA is able to maintain a cost of $45 per animal and receives its projection of 1,000 animals, the operational costs alone in 2005 would be a minimum of $45,000. However, FWMA’s 2005 budget is estimated at $112,000. Included in the 2005 budget is $45,000 for the building of a new medical care building, a flight pen, a songbird habitat and a horse corral. The budget increase is also attributable to the recent closure of other local wildlife rehabilitation centers and resulting need for FWMA to hire at least two full-time employees. FWMA must hire full time staff and build new facilities to accommodate the assured increase in wildlife patients and the ensuing need for qualified treatment.

How is FWMA funded?

FWMA has over 200 generous supporters that provided $31,000 in donations during 2004. FWMA was able to raise $2,700 through fundraising activities such as yard sales and silent auctions. Grants totaling $6,800 were received from private foundations and an asset was sold for $2,500. FWMA does not receive funding from Wakulla County, State or Federal Government agencies at this time. We are fortunate to receive a small grant from Leon County for the animals we care for from areas within the Leon County boundaries.

Can anyone visit FWMA?

FWMA is a wildlife rehabilitation center complete with the required State and Federal Permits necessary to carry out its mission. Permit restrictions do not allow us to publicly display rehabilitating animals. Also, as costs are kept to a minimum to operate the facility, FWMA’s budget does not allow for liability insurance, therefore, the facility is not open to the public. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or sponsor and would like to see the facility, please contact us either by phone or in writing to arrange an appointment. We are presently seeking land sufficient enough to build a wildlife education center. This center would be open to the public and it would offer many educational opportunities for the area. Each year more and more people show an interest in visiting FWMA and its permanent wildlife residents. Their interest also includes wanting their children to become involved in our programs. A wildlife education center would allow us to broaden our public accessibility. A donation of land for this cause would be a great legacy to leave for our children and our children’s children.

What are FWMA’s plans for the future?

FWMA’s plans for the future encompass four areas:

To continue to raise funds to operate the current facility in providing wildlife services and education programs to the community.
To obtain base funding to cover operating costs and as a means for growth and improvement in the caging and care for our wildlife patients.
Construction of new building projects such as planting a garden in the songbird habitat, building a large 100 foot flight pen, tiling the old Animal Care Room and renovating/building the new Animal Care Room.
To obtain 15 – 25 acres and respective funding to build a wildlife education center that would be open to the public. If you can help or know of someone who can help with finding or providing land and/or funding, please contact FWMA!

How can I help FWMA?

Donations: Monetary donations enable us to provide our services to this region. In-kind donations such as lumber, caging, feed and cleaning supplies (see our wish list on our website www.wakullawildlife.org) allow us to use the monetary donations for vet care, expansion of the facility and projects that benefit our wildlife patients in the care they receive.
Become a Volunteer: There are many volunteer opportunities at FWMA. For example; cleaning cages, taking care of the animals at the facility, chopping fruit, folding newspapers, picking up supplies, taking animals to vet offices, building bird houses, building habitats, never ending paperwork, fundraising and many, many, many more activities – if you have an interest or talent, we can put it to use!!!! Group workdays and projects are also appreciated.

Organize a Fundraiser:Get a group together to organize a fundraising event dedicating the proceeds to FWMA.
Sponsor a Building Project: There are five projects planned in 2005. You can sponsor a building project (or a portion of the project cost). A list of basic estimated costs per project is available upon request. To honor sponsorship donations of $1,000 or more, a plaque will be put up in your name at the facility on or near your project.
Sponsor a Cage: We have five cages that house some of FWMA’s permanent residents. You can sponsor a cage by covering the costs of feed for the animal(s), care of the animal(s) and the upkeep of the cage. A detailed list of sponsorship options is available upon request. To honor sponsorship donations of $1,000 or more, a plaque will be put up in your name at the facility on or near you cage/animal(s).

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