Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has already exceeded its 2013 record of taking care of 1837 injured animals. The center — an 800-square foot cottage on 3/4 acre located on the west side of Paris Mountain near Millwood — is outgrown and bursting at the seams. They can't take in all the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in need of help and the tragic truth is that many will perish without Dr. Belinda Burwell, her staff and volunteers. In addition to providing rescue, rehab and preparing their critters for release back into the wild, they also monitor and test for disease, and in their spare time they are raising funds for a new facility.

"We are halfway to raising the $1-million we need to start construction this fall, and our goal is $2-million so that the new Blue Ridge Wildlife Center facility will be ready in the spring when the number of animals coming in peaks during May, June, July and August," said Belinda Burwell, DVM, who specialized in zoo and wildlife medicine at Tufts University. "We're 10% beyond the number of animals we took in last year and we still have half a year to go."

As of mid-July, Blue Ridge Wildlife Center had taken in 30 foxes (including 20 babies being raised and prepared for release in the fall), 205 cottontails, 26 owls, 35 hawks and kestrels, 90 robins (mostly babies) and 64 bats, to name a few species. Every possible nook and cranny of the cottage has "hospital" cages, many babies are in incubators and, outside, numerous feathered and furred creatures live in dog kennels, large cages and tents, which have been "wild-proofed" and adapted for their unique occupants, who look absolutely fabulous.

"This is the first time in our history that we've had to turn animals away," said Dr. Burwell. "We have no more cages for foxes, raccoons or skunks. We're full up in the cottage and most of our outdoor cages are full as well. So many animals, when they first come in, are sick or injured and we need the bigger building so that we can treat them and get them well."

The plans for the new Blue Ridge Wildlife Center include a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, animal rooms with individual climate control, two nurseries for the large number of babies, and an environmental educational center with classrooms and wildlife exhibits. There will be special viewing windows to allow visiting individuals to school groups to watch the specialized care given to the injured and orphaned wildlife.

"We are extremely grateful to the Burwell-van Lennep Foundation for giving us a 50-year rent-free lease on 18 acres of land near the road where we plan to build our new facility," said Dr. Burwell. "We're very excited about 'Furry Tails,' our big fundraiser, which will take place on September 13 in Clarke County at a beautiful estate called Claytonville. We'll have silent and live auctions, and items are being accepted now. The information about tickets will be on our site in early August."

Burwell founded Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in 2004. That first year, they helped 117 animals, but the demand for BRWC's services has increased exponentially over the years, not only from relatively local people calling about and bringing in injured and orphaned wildlife, but also veterinarians and rescue centers in other states who need advice.

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, sets its mission to rescue, provide veterinary care and rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

"The bald eagles are making a comeback and we had nine last year — seven were released last fall," said Burwell. "Unfortunately, we couldn't save all of the eagles that had lead poisoning from eating deer that had been shot with lead bullets and two of them died. I'm persuading a lot of the hunters to change to copper bullets by showing them the tiny pieces of lead that end up in meat that they might be feeding to their families."

In November 2013, close to 200 people gathered to witness the release of an osprey and a bald eagle into the wild. It was thrilling to see two amazing raptors up close. The bald eagle, a survivor of lead poisoning, is the living symbol of American freedom. Anyone who had the opportunity to gaze into those intense eyes surrounded by white head feathers that contrasted so dramatically with the dark feathers of the eagle's body will ever forget the amazing power of its wings and soaring flight when it was released.

The risk to wildlife comes from all sides: vehicular traffic, tiny bits of lead bullets in carcasses, the usual predation that takes place in the wild, fledglings falling out of nests, cats catching mama birds, the decimation of trees and other natural habitats by development and storm damage.

Blue Ridge Wildlife's many critter-concerns include turtles and swifts. As of July 15, people had brought in 75 injured box turtles, from 40 to 80 years old; most had been hit by vehicles while looking for a place to nest or for food. Chimney swifts drink and eat on the wing, devouring a gazillion bugs, and, because their feet are too tiny to perch, can only cling to vertical surfaces. This migratory bird needs help to survive. An Eagle Scout built a chimney swift tower for Blue Ridge Wildlife, which is also an ideal solution for people who either cap their chimneys or don't have a chimney on their house.

The work at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center is fascinating: Dr. Burwell taped the fractured shell of a good-sized turtle and moments later received another baby swift, rushed in by the restaurant owner down whose kitchen chimney the baby had fallen. The swift joined several other baby birds in the incubator.

It's efforts like this, along with your support, that will keep our wildlife alive and well and free, a living testimony to America The Beautiful.

For more information, including how to donate to the new center, the wish list for supplies, how and when to rescue wildlife (without getting injured yourself), the camp schedule and lots more, please visit: www.blueridgewildlife.org