A new non-profit wildlife center has been formed to provide care for injured, orphaned or diseased wildlife. South Sound Critter Care is an outgrowth of the nonprofit work performed at Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital and Renton Veterinary Hospital. The bottom floor of Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital will be the primary receiving site, which will focus on care for songbirds and small mammals, including rabbits, squirrels, mink, opossum mountain beavers and some orphaned domestic kittens.

The hospitals have been working with Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington, Wash. and will continue to accept all wildlife and transfer species as needed to the facilities required for species not housed at Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital. This will provide local citizens with a convenient drop-off site for injured, orphaned or diseased wildlife. Additionally, the new center is actively recruiting volunteers for a wide variety of tasks to help it form and grow.

There are opportunities to volunteer for administrative tasks (computer/records/Web site development,fundraising) animal care, construction of animal housing and other maintenance tasks.

The first animal care class which will focus on neonatal mammal care is scheduled 6:30 p.m. April 28. Call to register at Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital 360-886-8000.