New Caging for Salvatore Wildlife Rescue

Hello! My name is Stephanie Piantedosi-Salvatore and I am the founder and licensed wildlife rehabilitator at Salvatore Wildlife Rescue in Sterling, MA. Wildlife rehabilitation is not funded by the state; rather, it is funded entirely through public donations and out-of-pocket contributions by the rehabilitator.

I work out of my home and currently my main limitation towards helping more animals at any given time is caging, particularly large indoor units and outdoor pre-release cages. Because of this, expanding my caging options is my #1 goal for the 2025 season, but so much of my personal out-of-pocket expenses go toward the daily care of the animals (this year I spent $1,000 on formula alone!) that I need your help to achieve this.

As of 12/2/24, I have admitted 92 animals (89 mammals, 2 birds, and 1 reptile) this year. Fifty-eight of those animals were orphans who required longer-term care and, during the busy season, I was forced to regularly close for new admissions because all of my cages were full. Once animals were released and space was freed up I could resume intakes, but additional caging would make it less likely that I would have to close in the first place.

For 2025, I have opened up admissions to include reptiles, so, all things being equal, I expect to see a large uptick in my intake numbers and out-of-pocket expenses even if nothing else about my facility changes.

However, with your help, I am hoping that the amount of caging available is something that does change. The area of Central Massachusetts where I am located, between the Wachusett and Quabbin reservoirs, has a low concentration of wildlife rehabilitation facilities, so being able to increase capacity would make such a huge difference to the region.

Thank you so much for your partnership and assistance!

Stephanie

If you would prefer to make physical caging donations, some of the items we need are available to view on our wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EGLVSA3K0Q61?ref_=wl_share