The sun rises at 7:30 a.m., and for Debra Jo Chiapuzio, it’s time to begin her daily routine of feeding orphaned wildlife and preparing formula. Her day is filled with cleaning cages, doing laundry, and attending to new animal intakes. Often, she doesn’t finish her work until 10 p.m., after caring for the sick, injured, and abandoned animals in her care. This is the life of a wildlife rehabilitator, a role Chiapuzio has embraced for the past five years through her nonprofit organization, The Wildlife Foster Program.
Chiapuzio’s journey into wildlife rehabilitation began with a simple act of kindness towards a small opossum. That moment sparked a passion that has grown into a full-time commitment to saving squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and opossums—animals that often go unnoticed and uncared for. Her home-based rehabilitation center in Orange county is the only one of its kind in the area, licensed by The California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Mission of The Wildlife Foster Program
The primary goal of The Wildlife Foster Program is to rehabilitate sick, injured, and abandoned wildlife, providing nurturing care to help them return to their natural environments. Specializing in opossums, skunks, squirrels, and raccoons, the organization has successfully released an average of 800 animals per year. Chiapuzio’s dedication is evident in the meticulous care she provides, ensuring that each animal has the best chance of survival.
Animals typically spend about four months in rehabilitation before being released. However, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife only allows licensed rehabbers to hold animals for six months. After this period, rehabbers must decide whether to seek an extension, find a home for unreleasable animals, or, in some cases, consider euthanasia. Chiapuzio emphasizes the importance of making humane decisions based on each animal’s unique circumstances.
The Challenges and Rewards of Wildlife Rehabilitation
Chiapuzio’s work is not without its challenges. She often faces the frustration of community members who find animals in need but don’t know what to do. With limited space and resources, Chiapuzio can only do so much. ‘We are not animal control,’ she clarifies. ‘Rehabbers don’t go out and pick up animals.’ Instead, she relies on community members and animal control to bring in animals that need care.
Despite the challenges, Chiapuzio finds immense fulfillment in her work. ‘Even through all the hours, all the finances, and everything that it takes to run a rehabilitation center, I have really found something that slows me down, calms me down and touches my heart and my experiences all at the same time,’ she shares. Her passion is contagious, inspiring a team of about 12 volunteers who assist with various tasks, from feeding animals to cleaning cages and transporting them when needed.
Educating the Public and Ensuring Safe Releases
Eva Sowinski, the lead volunteer at The Wildlife Foster Program for about two years, believes that educating the public is crucial. ‘It’s really important to educate our public about how [The Wildlife Foster Program] can protect wildlife because it’s a balance between us and nature, and a lot of people don’t know what to do,’ she says. Sowinski’s role extends beyond animal care; as a cartoonist, she also helps fundraise through her creative works.
Chiapuzio emphasizes the importance of a hands-off approach when preparing animals for release. This method, which she refers to as ‘wilding up,’ involves providing natural enrichment and encouraging animals to develop their natural instincts. By doing so, Chiapuzio ensures that the animals are better prepared for life in the wild and less likely to become a nuisance to local communities.
One memorable moment for Chiapuzio involved a raccoon named Henry. Initially calm and domesticated, Henry underwent extensive enrichment to reintroduce wild behaviors. Six months later, he showed signs of being ready for release. During the release, Henry briefly returned to Chiapuzio, seemingly to say thank you before joining his fellow raccoons. This heartwarming encounter highlights the profound impact that rehabilitation can have on both the animals and their caregivers.
Looking ahead, Chiapuzio hopes to expand The Wildlife Foster Program by getting more volunteers licensed to operate additional rehabilitation centers. ‘If I had 10 houses that could run 800 animals a year, what wonderful thing would that be for our community,’ she envisions. With her unwavering dedication and the support of her volunteers, Chiapuzio continues to make a significant difference in the lives of Orange County’s wildlife.
