LaBELLE - Baby season is here, and orphaned baby animals are overwhelming local animal rehabilitation and rescue organizations. From kittens and puppies, to opossums and squirrels, and not quite fledged baby birds- rescues are trying their hardest to make it through this more challenging than usual time.

Reita Smith, of Animal Rescue, Inc. in LaBelle recently made a plea for donations, feed, and supplies, as the work hasn’t slowed down a bit even though COVID-19 has shut so many other organizations down. They still have many furry friends to feed and care for, and the only thing that has slowed down is donations. In particular, she is in need of various milk replacers for the plethora of bottle babies that have been arriving.

“If anyone would like to donate formula, kitten or puppy or even milk replacer that is universal, Animal Rescue and I would greatly appreciate it,” Reita said. “Also, if anyone has any leftover formula for animals we would accept that as well.”

She recently took in some baby opossums, whose mother had been killed by dog. The opossums were transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation center, where they will likely become part of an environmental education program that features animal ambassadors.

Reita added, “If you live out town and would like donate to your local shelters and rescues, a lot people don’t think to donate formula.” She mentioned that milk replacer is as important as the cat and dog food, litter, towels, and cleaning products that all rescues need.

If you would like to learn more about Animal Rescue, Inc. you can visit their Facebook page by clicking on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Animalrescue863/