{"id":838,"date":"2025-10-13T15:57:58","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/?page_id=838"},"modified":"2025-10-21T09:56:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:56:34","slug":"how-we-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/how-we-help\/","title":{"rendered":"How we help"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<section class=\"section dark has-parallax\" id=\"section_1789688816\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  \" data-parallax-container=\".section\" data-parallax-background data-parallax=\"-5\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-bg-overlay absolute fill\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<div class=\"ux-shape-divider ux-shape-divider--bottom ux-shape-divider--style-waves-opacity-2\">\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 1000 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n  <path class=\"ux-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.15\" d=\"M0 299L-2 19.9998C153 -16.0002 308 155 413 184C515.64 212.35 562 152 645 153C725 154 787 206 874 233C939.54 253.34 975 248 1000 244.61V299H0Z\"\/>\n  <path class=\"ux-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.3\" d=\"M0 300L-2 34C155 -9.00003 300 178 403 212C504.11 245.38 562 165 645 166C725 167 790.09 220.07 874 253C939.21 278.59 978.07 269.72 1000 263.61V300H0Z\"\/>\n  <path class=\"ux-shape-fill\" d=\"M0 300L-1 69.7099C216 56.9999 299.47 198.86 403 226C506 253 577 196 660 197C740 198 790.09 234.07 874 267C935.23 291 982 282.61 1000 277.61V300H0Z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1494392766\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1067247165\" class=\"col small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff; font-size: 140%;\">How we Help<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffcc00;\">How we care for wildlife from rescue to release<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Each year, thousands of wild animals become orphaned, injured, sick, or displaced due to urban development, habitat loss, and human impact. At Friends of Free Wildlife, we provide a temporary refuge for compromised indigenous birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Our dedicated team offers specialised treatment, care, and rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of releasing every animal back into its natural environment.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1789688816 {\n  padding-top: 113px;\n  padding-bottom: 113px;\n}\n#section_1789688816 .section-bg-overlay {\n  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.395);\n}\n#section_1789688816 .section-bg.bg-loaded {\n  background-image: url(https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20250403-WA0048-1-scaled.jpg);\n}\n#section_1789688816 .section-bg {\n  background-position: 61% 26%;\n}\n#section_1789688816 .ux-shape-divider--top svg {\n  height: 150px;\n  --divider-top-width: 100%;\n}\n#section_1789688816 .ux-shape-divider--bottom svg {\n  height: 34px;\n  --divider-width: 169%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1900050320\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1189789084\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-241034787\" class=\"col small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #028275;\">Since opening our doors in December 2016, we have admitted close to 30,000 cases\u2014and currently care for an average of 3,500 animals each year of which 90% are birds \u2013 our bird species list currently stands at 194.<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2143725031\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-766838165\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6 col-divided\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-1614038333\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>\u00a01. Rescue or Admission<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1614038333 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-1614038333 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Injured, orphaned, or displaced wild animals are brought to our centre by members of the public, vets, and other rehabilitation organisations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Alternatively, should manpower allow, a rescue team may respond to calls to collect animals in distress.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-889403283\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51; font-size: 100%;\"><strong>2. Initial Assessment<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-889403283 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-889403283 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Upon arrival, each animal undergoes a quick visual check to determine the urgency of care.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Critical cases are stabilised immediately with fluids, warmth, or emergency treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-2136725330\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>3. Detailed Examination<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-2136725330 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-2136725330 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Once the animal has been given time to decompress, a thorough physical exam is conducted by our trained staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">We assess for injuries, illness, dehydration, parasites, or signs of human interference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">If deemed necessary the animal will be taken to our supporting veterinarians for further examination, X-Rays or other interventions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-4009783636\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>4. Record Keeping<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-4009783636 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-4009783636 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Each animal is logged into our database with details including species, age estimate, condition, location found, reason for rescue and intake notes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Initial weight on admission is recorded for monitoring purposes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-3636664671\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>\u00a05. Stabilisation &amp; Treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3636664671 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-3636664671 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">The animal receives medical care, supportive feeding, and pain management as needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">A tailored treatment and rehabilitation plan is developed based on species and condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-324093127\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>6. Rehabilitation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-324093127 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-324093127 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Once stable, the animal is moved to an appropriate enclosure where it can recover and regain natural behaviours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Diet, enrichment, and minimal human contact are key to successful rehab.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">During the rehabilitation process, we do not permit taming, petting, or any form of habituation of wildlife patients. Our priority is to ensure their successful recovery and eventual return to the wild.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1684218009\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6 col-divided\"  data-animate=\"fadeInRight\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1153284067\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-678x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-678x1024.jpg 678w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-768x1159.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-1018x1536.jpg 1018w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-1357x2048.jpg 1357w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2-510x770.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_5369-2.jpg 1567w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1153284067 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1727669793\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>7. Pre-Release Evaluation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1727669793 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-1727669793 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Animals are assessed to ensure they can survive independently in the wild (e.g. flight testing, hunting ability, social behaviour).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Health, fitness, and appropriate fear of humans are key criteria.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-827650417\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>8. Release<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-827650417 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-827650417 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">The animal is released into a suitable, protected habitat and if possible, close to where it was found, following ecological guidelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">In some cases, soft releases or monitored reintroductions are used.\u00a0 Soft releases involve the gradual acclimatisation to its natural environment rather than an immediate release whereby the animal would be placed in an enclosure at or near the release site for a period of time to get used to the area\u2019s sights, sounds and smells.\u00a0 During this transition, support is provided by means of food and water and sometimes even shelter.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:1350px;height:1px;\"><\/div>\n\t<div id=\"text-2004522603\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h3><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>9. Follow-Up &amp; Reporting<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-2004522603 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-2004522603 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Data is collected for reporting, permits, and continuous improvement of our practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1900050320 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n}\n#section_1900050320 .ux-shape-divider--top svg {\n  height: 150px;\n  --divider-top-width: 100%;\n}\n#section_1900050320 .ux-shape-divider--bottom svg {\n  height: 150px;\n  --divider-width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_45044945\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-bg-overlay absolute fill\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1019118269\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>Easy ways to Donate<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1019118269 {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n#text-1019118269 > * {\n  color: #ef6c26;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"text-center\"><div class=\"is-divider divider clearfix\" style=\"max-width:800px;height:1px;\"><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-370092368\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1111809793\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #028275; font-size: 100%;\"><strong>Donate via EFT:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #f55f51;\"><strong>If you would like to support our work please consider making a donation to:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\"><strong>Friends of Free Wildlife<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Nedbank<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Branch: Nicolway<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Branch Code: 198742<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Account: Current \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">Account no: 1135 622 957<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\">SWIFT code: NEDSZAJJ<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 90%;\"><em><strong>We encourage sponsorships of cages and materials needed to accommodate and rehabilitate our patients.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1418146703\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #028275;\"><strong>Donate with Snapscan:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_356769222\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-240x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-1638x2048.png 1638w, https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Snapscan-1-510x638.png 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_356769222 {\n  width: 75%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_45044945 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n  background-color: #028275;\n}\n#section_45044945 .section-bg-overlay {\n  background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.791);\n}\n#section_45044945 .ux-shape-divider--top svg {\n  height: 150px;\n  --divider-top-width: 100%;\n}\n#section_45044945 .ux-shape-divider--bottom svg {\n  height: 150px;\n  --divider-width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-blank.php","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-838","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/100"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1363,"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838\/revisions\/1363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}