On Dec. 5, Betsy Shenk heard news of a tragedy at Red Creek Wildlife Center: an electrical fire had destroyed Red Creek's primary facility and everything in it. Although the wildlife rescue is located in Schuylkill Haven, Red Creek has strong ties to Lancaster County, and the news shook many in the wildlife rehabilitation community.
Shenk, founder and executive director of Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation in Millersville, posted a request for assistance to Facebook and Instagram, and the response was resounding. Donations began pouring in, and Acorn Acres' inbox was overflowing with people offering their help and asking what more could be done. "The amount of support was absolutely overwhelming and mind-boggling," said Shenk. "It speaks to how much the public values wildlife rehabs." Shenk received so many messages that she needed to enlist additional help to manage her inboxes, and within a matter of days, the community donated over $15,000. Shenk said that there were even donations sent from supporters in Europe. "Wildlife rehab isn't a single person or facility; it's an entire network, and we banded together to help one of our sisters," said Shenk.
Although Red Creek is a part of a vast network of wildlife centers, which rushed to its aid, the organization's relationship with Lancaster County is unique. Over 12% of Red Creek's animal rescues originate in Lancaster, and it has been serving the county for over 30 years. Red Creek's founder, Peggy Hentz, even played a significant role in the founding of Acorn Acres.
Shenk first met Hentz in 2014 at a class that Hentz was teaching in Pittsburgh. The class focused on how to safely catch and transport wild animals that are in need of assistance, as a large piece of Red Creek's mission is to educate both the public and those in the process of becoming wildlife rehabilitators. "I remember that when I met her, I shook her hand and said, 'I have been waiting so long to meet you,'" said Shenk.
When Shenk began the process of creating Acorn Acres years later, Red Creek sponsored her and Hentz served as her mentor. By Pennsylvania state law, to start a wildlife rehabilitation center, one must acquire a letter from the municipality in which the facility will be located and have both a sponsoring rehab and veterinarian. After sponsoring Acorn Acres, Hentz helped to guide Shenk in the new organization's early stages and answered any questions she had. "She was the first person I would call if I needed help," said Shenk. "She's the reason Acorn Acres exists."
Red Creek is currently rebuilding its clinic and hopes to open its doors again on Jan. 1. The wildlife center had been planning the construction of a new facility prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and wishes to resume the project this coming spring. At this time, Red Creek is asking for monetary donations only. To make a donation, visit https://redcreekwildlifecenter.com/.
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