Saturday, February 16
[Jesus] also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.‘ Mark 4:30-32
On our annual January vacation in Florida, we visited CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), on Sanibel Island. It is the only hospital for wounded wild animals in southwestern Florida, and at any time can have between 60 and 700 critters in residence. That day, we saw baby flying squirrels being fed by volunteers with eyedroppers. We saw a possum having emergency surgery to remove an infected toe. We saw sea turtles, osprey, raccoons, and even a razorbill, a penguin-like bird that is supposed to be up north. CROW’s goal is to release the healed creatures back to the wild wherever possible.
It was moving to see the baby squirrels and the injured possum; it was equally moving to hear the story of how CROW got started. It was one person doing what she could to ease another creature’s suffering.
In 1968, Shirley Walter, a Sanibel Island resident, found a royal tern that had been injured by a car. She searched for a veterinarian or a wildlife service that could care for the bird, but found none. She took the bird home and nursed it back to health. She told her friends what had happened, and they decided to take action. They formed CROW, and in that first year answered 500 calls to provide help to wounded animals. Fortunately, one of the friends, Dr. Phyllis Douglass, was a veterinarian.
Until 1975, CROW operated out of Shirley Walter’s home. In 1977, it moved to the home of Adelaide Cherbonnier. In 1981, they built a clinic and staff apartments, and by the late 80’s had developed a student intern program and hired staff veterinarians.
Now, this organization started by a group of caring friends has a new hospital and visitor education center, a major veterinary training program, and treats over 4000 patients a year.
Remind us, O God, that you are at work in and beyond our small acts of compassion. Amen.