Wildlife Hospital Crisis Averted

Kathryn G. Favre Foundation for the Betterment of Animals sponsors World Bird Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital.

Following recent appeals to our community for support for our Wildlife Hospital, the Kathryn G. Favre Foundation has generously stepped up with a gift of $40,000 to the World Bird Sanctuary wildlife hospital.

  Representatives of the Kathryn G. Favre Foundation present a $40,000 donation to World Bird Sanctuary wildlife hospital.  From L-R: Bobby Zitzmann (Kathryn G. Favre Foundation), Jerry Zitzmann (Kathryn G. Favre Foundation), Joe Hoffmann (WBS Sanctuary Manager), Walter Crawford (WBS Founder & Executive Director), Roger Holloway (WBS Director of Interpretive Services and Facilities), Charlie Amen (Kathryn G. Favre Foundation), Mary Haislip (Kathryn G. Favre Foundation), Jeff Meshach (WBS Assistant Director)

“We are very appreciative of the investment that the Kathryn G. Favre Foundation is making in the World Bird Sanctuary, and our Wildlife Hospital specifically.  The Wildlife Hospital will be named the Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital in an expression of our appreciation for this gift,” said Walter Crawford, Founder Executive Director of World Bird Sanctuary.

Jerry Zitzmann, Trustee of the Kathryn G. Favre Foundation explains Katy’s commitment to animals, “The Foundation was started by Katy Favre who had a great love for animals.  She wanted to ensure that her legacy would fund causes dear to her heart – animal welfare.”  In explaining the decision to help the Wildlife Hospital, Jerry said, “Katy had a soft spot for birds and the majesty of Birds of Prey.  We thought that this would be a wonderful way to honor Katy.  Nothing broke her heart more than to see an injured animal – I know she would be proud of what we are doing today.”

“The Missouri Community has inspired us with their support.”

At the beginning of March Mr. Crawford issued an appeal in the media for support for the wildlife hospital.  “If we did not receive the $40,000 needed to keep our hospital doors open, we would have to close the wildlife hospital on June 1^st,” said Mr. Crawford.

“The Missouri Community has inspired us with their support,” explained Mr. Crawford.  “We have had children as young as 6 years old giving us their life savings of $6, and children giving us $1 bills – which was to be their ‘treat’ money when they visited the Sanctuary gift shop.  Scout troops, preschools and individuals have engaged in personal campaigns to help us raise the money that we needed to continue our important rehabilitation work.” 

The World Bird Sanctuary focuses on sustainable funding.

The Wildlife Hospital admits and treats approximately 300 sick, injured or orphaned birds of prey per year, and has released more than 4,000 birds back to the wild!  We do not charge for hospital admissions.  We have been able to achieve this over the last 35 years with no state or federal funding, instead relying entirely on donations from members of the public to keep its doors open.

“With the recent economic recession and other humanitarian disasters requiring funding, we have seen a reduced capacity to give within our regular support base.  However, as a result of our appeal, we have received just under $25,000 in individual donations, ranging from $1 to $500 each.  This money will be held for use by the wildlife hospital to ensure that should the national financial crisis continue, we will have a reserve to help get us through.  It will be used to secure sustainable funding for the hospital,” said a grateful Mr. Crawford.