South Sound Wildlife Center will hold the first squirrel rehabilitation class of the year from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Interested parties can register for the class by calling Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital at (360) 886-8000.

They received 147 squirrels last year, many blown out of their nests in spring storms.

When presented so young, they need to be bottle-fed a specific formula made for their species.

The cost for the class, which includes training materials, is $10 per person. The center trains people to provide foster care while they are bottle-fed and then return them to the center when they are self-feeding for further rehabilitation services.

Squirrels are generally ready to return to the center in two to four weeks.

The center needs a variety of volunteer services as baby animal season approaches.

Two hour volunteer orientations are held bi-weekly from Feb.18 – March 3 for persons interested in doing shift work at the center.

Volunteers need to be 16 years or older.

Last year, 1,025 wild animals were received needing care.South Sound Critter Care is supported by public donations and is a 501(c) (3) registered non-profit charity.

All donations are tax-deductible. We are an approved charity for Boeing and Microsoft employee matching donations.