Red Barn Rehab

06/21/2026

06/21/2026

I’m washing the hammocks right now. This little guy fell asleep over the litter box waiting on the laundry. 🧺🦝

Clearly, we need to order more hammocks.

06/20/2026

Local Friends! Don't throw away your old towels! We can use them!

06/20/2026

So. Many. Babies. Fawn and squirrels and raccoons and cottontails and skunks and goslings and opossums….

Photo credit for some of these to wildlife lovers Misty & Kayla. ❤️ Thank you for taking the photos that I forget to take!

If you’d like to help, we have a new mini wishlist of the things we most need on Amazon (link in comments). And of course you can always donate below. 😘 Thank you all for your support!

06/20/2026

Well… fail. 😊

Despite my early May declaration that I was taking a break, my inability to say “no” to wildlife in need meant that animals kept finding their way to Red Barn Rehab.

But over the last six weeks, something else has found its way here too - much needed help.

I am incredibly grateful to the wildlife lovers who have stepped up to assist with feedings, cleaning, and other little tasks that come with caring for orphaned and injured wildlife. Your willingness to help has given me renewed hope that Red Barn Rehab can continue this important work for many years to come.

Thank you, thank you! ❤️

Stay tuned! I’ll be giving some well-deserved shout-outs in the days ahead.

06/10/2026

Listen to Griff!

05/24/2026

Please… I am begging you. If I (or another licensed wildlife rehabilitator) instruct you not to move a fawn, rabbit, or other wild animal and tell you to leave it where it is… please listen. ❤️

I know it is hard. It feels wrong to walk away when you care so deeply. But the truth is, there is hardly any truly “wild” space left for these animals. Fawns are born in backyards. Rabbits nest inside fences, flower beds, and neighborhoods. We have to learn how to coexist with them.

Baby wildlife are often exactly where they are supposed to be. Mom is nearby. She is feeding them, watching them, and in many cases, she will move them when the time is right (and feels predators- including you!! Are away)

When we interfere, move babies, or take them away from their location without guidance, we aren’t helping, we are disrupting their chance to survive and their natural livelihood.

Please trust the process. Please trust licensed wildlife professionals. And when in doubt, call before you move. Coexistence matters. 🦌🐇🌿

05/07/2026

After 7 years, I am sorry to say that Red Barn Rehab needs to close the doors.

This is incredibly hard for me to say out loud. Caring for wildlife has been part of my life for decades. It’s not just something I do, but part of who I am. Every baby fed at midnight, every reunion, every release back into the wild has mattered deeply to me. Truly a labor of love.

But this season has also reminded me of something important: it is not sustainable for one person to do the work of many forever.
Wildlife rehabilitation is beautiful, rewarding, heartbreaking, and exhausting work. I remain in awe of the loving people who have made this their life’s work.

Right now, I am physically, emotionally and financially overwhelmed, and despite my best efforts, I simply do not have enough hands or support to continue safely and sustainably through the season. For those of you who might not know this – wildlife rehabbers in the state of Missouri receive no funding from the state or conservation department and rely sole on our own personal income and donations from wildlife loving supporters.
I never want the animals in my care to receive anything less than my absolute best. I need to acknowledge that this is the responsible thing to do.

I am praying that this is not a forever goodbye for Red Barn Rehab. Perhaps there will be a day when I can continue this work that I truly believe I have been called to do. It will take time to regroup, recover, reorganize, and hopefully build more support for the future.

To everyone who has donated money or supplies, transported animals, volunteered, encouraged me, or trusted me with creatures you cared about — thank you. You have been part of every life saved here.

Please continue helping wildlife in the ways you can:
• Keep babies with mom whenever possible
• Slow down on roads, especially at dusk
• Plant native species and protect natural habitats
• Support your local rehabilitators and rescues
• Be kind to the people doing this difficult work behind the scenes
I love this work with my whole heart and I am not sure what life will be like without it.

Thank you for understanding. ❤️

FOR IMMEDIATE CARE FOR WILDLIFE IN NEED, please go to Animal Help Now for a list of licensed rehabilitators.

P.S. If you are looking for a way to help today, prayers please. For me as I work through this decision. And for the animals in Phelps and surrounding counties who will have limited help this season.

05/07/2026

It’s Be Kind to Animals Week. Remember that using pesticides and herbicides on lawns and gardens is dangerous to our health, animals’ health and the planet in general. Such poisons kill bees, frogs and more.

In addition, the majority of songbirds feed their offspring insects throughout the summer. Spraying pesticides causes leg & beak deformities & even death for new hatchlings.

04/30/2026

How to help licensed wildlife rehabilitators:

Wildlife rehabilitation is a labor love & compassion. Many licensed wildlife rehabilitators are not paid & lack funding from the state or federal government.

Many work full time jobs on top of rehabbing wildlife day & night, while taking calls from the public, caring for their families, & their pets. Baby season is tremendously draining emotionally, physically, & financially for these very special individuals.

They rely heavily on donations & to help with the costs of formulas, medications, medical supplies, vet bills, cleaning supplies, etc.

Please be kind to them & if you can not donate, ask if there are supplies they may need. You can offer to volunteer or help with transport. And if those aren't options, follow them on social media, like & share their posts so others can see what an amazing group of people rehabilitators are!