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Local Wildlife Rehabber Seeks Donations for Squirrel, Opossum, Raccoon Habitats

Kentwood, La.—Springtime brings plenty of rain and pretty flowers, but along with that come
plenty of wildlife babies and mamas who are either malnourished, sick, orphaned, hit by a car,
or attacked by other animals. For the past five years, Laurie Laughlin has operated Willows
Creek Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, a registered 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to the rescue,
rehabilitation and release of Louisiana wildlife.

Having lost her home and everything in it along with her wildlife enclosures while living in
Chauvin, La., during Hurricane Ida in 2021, Laughlin had to start over. She found plenty of
acreage in Kentwood where she could once again help opossums, raccoons, and other wildlife
in need. Laughlin is in the process of building four separate habitats on her property where she
can rehabilitate wildlife and get them acquainted to being outdoors before they are released
into the wild.

Laughlin is building an 8x8x8-ft. habitat for squirrels; a 10x12x8-ft. habitat for opossums; a
16x16x8-ft. habitat for raccoons; and an extra 10×8-ft. habitat.
“I have the framework done, but I need roofing before I can complete the enclosures,” Laughlin
said. “The sooner I get these habitats completed, the sooner I can start helping more wildlife.”
Laughlin has rescued and rehabbed wildlife for 23 years, starting in Georgia. Her fellow
rehabbers, now in Louisiana, sing her praises and rely on Laughlin for much-needed education
on how to properly rehab specific species. Laughlin even educates her Facebook followers,
letting them know, for instance, that if they find a baby opossum, quickly place it in a small box
or carrier with a blanket and keep it warm. Then, call a licensed rehabber as soon as possible.
Do not feed or give the baby any kind of milk or water.

“A mama opossum can have up to 13 babies, and as they grow, they don’t all fit in the pouch,
so they ride on her back,” Laughlin said. “If something startles her and she runs, a baby can fall
off. Mama doesn’t know she lost one, so please never ever leave one there thinking mama will
come back.”
She also asks people to leave their garbage or recycling can lids closed since wildlife are able to
jump in them.

“They can get in, but can’t get out,” she said. “They can get dehydrated fast due to the heat and
no air in the can. If you should come across a situation like this, just lay the can on its side with
the lid open and walk away. Please don’t hurt them. They’re only looking for food to feed
themselves and their babies.”
Laughlin and other rehabbers on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries website
receive no funding from LDWF or the state. Every supply, vet bill and enclosure or habitat they
build is paid for out of their own pockets or from private donations on their own Facebook
pages, websites, or payment apps.

“We know how important it is to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Licensed wildlife rehabbers do this because they are passionate about this work. They do not receive any funding from any state or local government agencies. They volunteer, often working out of their homes, and pay for all expenses out of pocket or what they can raise through private donations,” says Jeff Dorson, HSLA Director. “It’s critical and imperative that we support their efforts,” Dorson adds.

If you’re able to help Laughlin complete her wildlife habitats, please donate via Venmo at
@willowscreekrescue or through PayPal at @willowscreekwildlife.
The rescue also has an Amazon wish list if you would like to purchase food and other supplies
for Willows Creek Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/98RMOF4C2K60?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR2-
5ONckm0Ri97O7SVQdlZQFjqoIBGVJny-twZdfZkazMfjZL3-fjbxGBQ
To learn more, visit the Willows Creek Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation page at
https://www.facebook.com/willowscreekwildliferescue.