Push for Beaufort Co. wildlife rehabilitation center moves forward to county council

by Aaron Dixon

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Have you ever walked outside, noticed a wild animal in distress, and wondered who you should call?

In Beaufort County, that call currently goes to about 15 volunteers who care for those animals, in many cases, out of their own homes.

Now, a new push by several residents could change that, with a plan to build a centralized wildlife rehabilitation center and veterinary teaching clinic in Okatie.

Rehabbers working from homes

Laura Sterling has been caring for and rehabilitating wild animals for years. Her newest addition is a 6-week-old squirrel.

“I’ve been rescuing since I was an 8-year-old child in Fairfax, South Carolina. So, my whole life,” Sterling said.

Sterling is one of several wildlife advocates in Beaufort County who volunteer their time to care for squirrels, raccoons, fawns and other creatures.

Right now, she says the system is chaotic. Like many rehabbers, she rehabs animals at her home and learns of animals in distress through a text chain with five people.

“It’s all very chaotic right now. What we need is the centralization and organization to it, so people get help and calls don’t fall through the cracks,” Sterling said. “A lot of people don’t get responded to.”

Advocates say the need really started to grow 8 to 10 years ago, as more people moved to Beaufort County.

“They’re finding the animals, so I get 2-3 animals and during the season I get more,” Sterling said.

10 years in the making

After years of waiting and planning, the idea for a wildlife rehabilitation center and veterinary teaching clinic is moving forward. The project has been 10 years in the making.

If approved, a central hub for wildlife care would be created on over 13 acres of property already owned by Beaufort County Animal Services in Okatie, next to the area already serving as the Beaufort County Animal Shelter for dogs and cats.

The space would include a teaching clinic, room for Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office K9 kennels, a feline center, a regional intake center, and the wildlife rehab center.

The group says the money is there — all they need is support and approval from county council to build on the land.

The goal is to make a place not only to rehab animals but to educate others.

“A lot of times we find people who can’t find the resources or rehabbers to place these wild animals, and by the time we get them the animal is farther, worse off than if it had been left in the wild,” Wildlife advocate Allison Greco said. “So, I think a big part of this is educating the public.”