Dakota's Fan Mail

Dakota's "wall of fame" was a place that gave many of us hope in the days and weeks before his return home

Since Dakota’s ordeal began back in the middle of November 2011 the center has received an outpouring of support for both Dakota and the center’s mission itself. One of our favorite forms of support and encouragement came in the form of “Dakota fan mail”.

Children and adults alike sent their well-wishes for Dakota's safe return home. Many were among the 80,000 people that Dakota has educated since becoming a part of the Wildlife In Need Center

The center received cards and letters almost every day addressed to Dakota. (Most included staff and volunteers, but some were just for Dakota!) Cards came to us during every stage. The first cards we got were cards of encouragement for the center to find Dakota and hopes of a safe return. Once Dakota was recovered the get well cards flooded in for Dakota with wishes of a full healthy recovery. Finally, Dakota received cards from people thanking him for all he taught them through his ordeal.

Some of the center’s favorites came from kids and students Dakota has educated over his 11 years of working with the center. 

We wanted to share with you some of these wonderful cards we received. The cards and letters made us smile; we hope they do the same for you.

He even received a packet of get well wishes from second grade students in Ohio that were studying owls when word got down to them about Dakota! Even though these students had never personally met Dakota, because he helped them learn about his wild counterparts they affectionately called him “their mascot.” How amazing!

Students from Ohio who followed Dakota's ordeal via the internet sent him their best wishes for his speedy recovery, calling him their "mascot." He's ours too!

We would also like to take this opportunity to again thank EVERYONE for their overwhelming amount of caring and support for Dakota and the center. Daily words of encouragement were very much appreciated by staff and volunteers as we rescued and cared for Dakota.

Guest Blogger M.F.

Help us help wildlife

Did you know that the Wildlife In Need Center publishes an amazing calendar each year to promote the work its doing to help our wild Wisconsin neighbors?

I know that the primary goal of this blog is about helping wildlife and educating you about how you can help wildlife too. That is why I want to let you know that by purchasing a calendar for yourself or possibly for a loved one, YOU are helping to spread the word about how to help our wild neighbors too! This is our 15th year of providing care and we have chosen to feature some of the amazing stories we’ve seen in recent years. From the barred owl whose ground-breaking surgery, therapy, rehabilitation and release would have cost over $15,000 if were not for the generous donations of time and materials from our volunteer veterinarians, local specialists and volunteers to the tiniest physical therapy patient we’ve ever had in an infant 13-line ground squirrel. You can use your credit card and have your order shipped to you by calling someone in our office (262-968-5075) 7 days a week (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days) or you can stop by anytime to see it for yourself. 2010 calendars are only $15 each and even if the high quality paper, binding and printing don't sell you, the amazing photos and stories will. Thank you for caring and we wish you and yours all the best in the coming year!