Sanctuary Spotlight: Abandoned Bandits

I sat down with wildlife rehabilitator, Jeanne Paddison, in hopes to get a short interview about what she does with The Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center. I quickly found out that all I had to do was sit back and listen! The passion that flows out of Jeanne is almost palpable.

Although she rehabilitates many other small mammals, Jeanne's passion is for raccoons, which started at the early age of 14 with her first rescue she named Mandy. Mandy was one of a few rescues found after some trees were chopped down at her father's job site. And "that was all she wrote!". Her love had begun.

Now at 53 she is still at it, working tirelessly in a very non-animal oriented community. As she states, she is "here to make up for what urbanization does to the species". Viewed as primarily a nuisance, 2,000 raccoons are destroyed yearly in her area. A fact that breaks her heart. Which is why almost 40 years later you can still find her fighting against the odds to do as much as possible.

Abandoned Bandits has been a non profit for 1 year this April and she is excited about a newly donated building given by local philanthopist, Jerry Williams. Along with Dr. Valerie Love, a vet who moved from Atlanta specifically to assist with the rescue, and a few local volunteers, Jeanne is awaiting baby season which begins early April. And that is where the need begins for community assistance, volunteers and donations!

Jeanne's future goals include a whole building on a commercial agricultural zone between 100 and 200 acres with specialized experts in each species. A goal that can absolutely be achieved as the public is educated more and more that these animals are not a nuisance at all, but a species to be accepted and appreciated.

Check out Jeanne and the other wildlife rescuers at www.savwildliferescue.com