02/02/2026
On Saturday, January 31, folks gathered under the heaters at Oar House Pub & Oyster Bar on Black Creek to show their support for Panhandle Wildlife Rescue by grabbing some great eats, and listening to some phenomenal live music from area-known group, Salt Rock Revival.
Mid to late February brings what the animal rehabilitation center calls its “Baby Season.” There is an influx of baby mammals like squirrels, flying squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. Their stays vary by species and age, some staying as long as 5-6 months. These babies need extra care, some relying on syringe feedings, which require extra sets of hands—and extra funding.
“Mammals require feeding every 2 hours and birds needing feeding every 15 minutes or so,” Co-founder Jim Johnson said, “We typically have volunteers do shifts, and dont expect anyone to do a full day.”
The Freeport-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Johnson and Shelby Robinson, who relies only on donations and just a handful of dedicated volunteers, is aiming to raise enough funds to install a building to use as a nursery to raise these orphaned baby animals.
Patrons got the chance to witness the nonprofit’s efforts in action. A red-shouldered hawk came to the center just 48 hours prior after being hit by a car.
“We examined it for head trauma, it responded favorably, and was determined to be fit for release. We try to rehab and release as soon as they are healthy enough to be returned to the wild to reduce stress levels from being in captivity,” Johnson said.
The hawk was released at the dock’s edge on the Oar House grounds where it perched in a nearby tree before flying away.
Panhandle Wildlife Rescue has a trauma hospital alongside the rehabilitation center where sick and injured animals can receive all necessary medical services, and they are also the area’s first to offer exclusive humane wildlife exclusion services.
If you find a sick or injured mammal or bird, they are available 24/7 at the phone number below.
850-889-1104
Interested in getting involved or donating?
Learn how you can volunteer by contacting the center via their website below, or send them a message on their page tagged above.
https://www.panhandlewildliferescue.com/i-found-a-sick-or-injured
Donations can be made here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-us-help-them-17on