Daily Inspiration: Meet Jamie Haas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Haas. Them and their team share their story with us below:

In the early 1990s, the seed was planted for what would become one of the leading wildlife sanctuaries and rehab facilities in the southwestern United States.

Our story begins with Linda Searles – a woman with a passion for all living things and a life-changing encounter with an orphaned coyote pup.

A local farmer accidentally ran over a den of newborn coyote puppies with his tractor, leaving one survivor. The farmer looked for help for the tiny wild creature but didn’t know where to turn. Eventually, fate and kind people brought Linda together with that orphaned coyote she named “Don”. At that time, there were no local veterinarians who would treat orphaned or injured wild animals. Linda dreamed of a wildlife rehabilitation center specializing in mammals. And so, that seed of Southwest Wildlife was planted.

Linda’s dream became reality with the purchase of 10 acres northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1994. As trees were planted and enclosures built that slice of open desert slowly became a shady oasis for wild animals in need. Don coyote was joined by countless other injured, orphaned, and displaced mammals with no other place to turn. Most were rehabilitated and released back to the wild; those that could not remain in our sanctuary to live out their lives in peace.

Don coyote lived more than 18 years at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center with his soul mate Ashley. He served as an ambassador for wildlife, teaching thousands of visitors about wild animals’ importance in our ecosystem and the beauty of our natural environment.

Southwest Wildlife (SWCC) has become one of the leading wildlife sanctuaries and rehab facilities in the southwestern United States, pursuing its mission to care for wild mammals in need and educate the community about wildlife. SWCC continues to learn and grow, accepting the challenges that pass through our gates every day.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Whenever wild animals have lost their homes to development, or are found injured or abandoned, SWCC is ready to respond. We provide our native wildlife with a safe place to recover and grow; a place where their wildness is nurtured and encouraged. Our doors are always open for them.

Our trained staff and volunteers are on call 24/7 to respond to any wild mammal emergency. Injured animals are carefully transported to our onsite clinic to receive care. Whether it’s a dehydrated bobcat in need of IV fluids or a coyote that requires life-saving surgery, no animal is turned away.

The rehabilitation process assures every animal has a quiet place to heal and begin its journey back to the wild – with minimal human contact. For some animals, this may be a few weeks of rest and recovery; others may require a longer stay to heal fully. We provide each animal an opportunity to return to the wild as safely and quickly as possible.

During the spring and summer months, SWCC is flooded with orphaned baby animals needing around-the-clock care and feeding. Sterilizing baby bottles, preparing specialized formulas, and filling hungry bellies turns SWCC’s clinic into a wildlife maternity ward.

Once weaned from the bottle and eating on their own, these orphans are moved to an outside area with releasable animals and ‘foster parents’ of their kind. There they will learn important lessons that will help them transition back to the wild.

When they ‘graduate’ from Southwest Wildlife, they begin a new chapter in their wild lives.

Release sites are carefully chosen to maximize the odds of successful reintroduction.

Over more than 25 years, SWCC has rehabilitated thousands of sick, injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals. More than 80 percent have been successfully released back into the wild.

Many animals that come through our doors could not survive in the wild. Some have injuries that prevent them from being released, while others were kept as pets and have imprinted on humans. Animals that are non-releasable are evaluated for their ability to thrive in our accredited sanctuary. Southwest Wildlife is the only sanctuary in Arizona capable of caring for large mammals such as black bears, mountain lions, and Mexican gray wolves.

Southwest Wildlife is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association (ASA) and must operate under strict guidelines with respect to animal management and care to maintain that accreditation. To maintain accreditation, Southwest Wildlife must provide animals with a safe and comfortable home for life.

We do not: utilize animals for commercial purposes buy, sell, trade, or breed animals. In the fall of 2016, SWCC received a generous gift from For Those Without a Voice. The gift was a donation of funds to expand our clinic!

Working together, FTWAV and SWCC are aligning our missions to “reverse misfortunes and secure promising futures for Arizona’s children and animals” and to “save our wildlife, one life at a time.” This amazing donation expands the ability of SWCC to provide needed care for the increasing number of wildlife that comes through our door every year. The new hospital will be one of the premier wildlife veterinary clinics in the west. The 2600-square-foot facility features:

Large, well-lit two tables surgical suite
Surgical preparation and recovery room
Designated neonatal ICU
Large animal room for equines, bears, and lions
Separate radiology room
2 animal-holding areas
Laboratory and pharmacy areas
Oxygen therapy available in each room
Staff office and restroom
Public restroom

“In addition to increasing our ability to care for Arizona’s wildlife, the new hospital will allow us to expand our internship programs to educate the future stewards of our wildlife.” ~ Linda Searles, Executive Director SWCC.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Southwest Wildlife receives no state or federal funding. Our operating budget comes entirely from individual donations and private foundations. No amount is too small; all donations are welcome. There are many ways to donate you can browse here:

https://www.southwestwildlife.org/donate

You can also volunteer! Many hands make light work. We have a lean staff of 12 people, and over 100 active volunteers in all different areas of the operation from Animal Care to Education. Information about volunteering can be found here:

https://www.southwestwildlife.org/donate/volunteer.html

You can also come to visit for a tour or an event! At the link below, you can find all the information you need to book a tour in advance and meet the amazing sanctuary animals at Southwest Wildlife.

https://www.southwestwildlife.org/book-a-tour/tours_events/

Last and most easily, you can check out our resources about safely coexisting with wildlife.

https://www.southwestwildlife.org/resources/

The more people are aware of and advocating for wildlife, the less often they end up needing a place like Southwest Wildlife in the long term.

Pricing:

• Walk with Wildlife Tours: $25 for ages 13+, $15 for kids 3-12, and kids under 3 are free

Contact Info:

• Website: southwestwildlife.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southwestwildlife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Southwest.Wildlife
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sw_wildlife
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwestWildlifeCC

Image Credits
WJ Wheaton