Alisha K.

My interest in wildlife rehabilitation began during my undergraduate studies, when I completed thesis work with raptors at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. That experience started a lasting respect for our native wildlife, particularly birds of prey. Years later, after raising my kids and having more time to volunteer, I reconnected with that interest by transporting an injured red-shouldered hawk for care. What began as a single transport quickly grew into deeper involvement in rehabilitation. I progressed through Virginia’s permitting levels: from Cat IV volunteer to Cat I apprentice and I am now a Cat II wildlife rehabilitator, permitted to care for small mammals (including rabies vector species), amphibians, reptiles, and birds under my federal permit.