Giovanna G.

My journey into wildlife rehabilitation began in March 2026 when I found an orphaned baby squirrel named Remi. He was tiny, vulnerable, and completely dependent on someone for warmth, nourishment, and protection. What started as helping one baby quickly became a passion for learning how to properly care for orphaned wildlife. I immersed myself in neonatal squirrel care and quickly realized that successful rehabilitation requires much more than compassion. It takes specialized knowledge, proper nutrition, careful feeding techniques, sanitation, weight monitoring, temperature regulation, and guidance from experienced rehabilitators.

Through caring for Remi, I connected with an experienced wildlife rehabilitator who taught me the importance of keeping wildlife wild and preparing every animal for a successful return to its natural habitat. Watching Remi grow stronger and eventually move on to the next stage of rehabilitation inspired me to continue helping orphaned and injured wildlife whenever I could.

Since then, I have continued learning under the guidance of experienced rehabilitators and have cared for additional orphaned squirrels. I am currently caring for two orphaned neonatal squirrels, or “pinkies,” who require round-the-clock feedings every few hours, constant monitoring, and carefully controlled warmth to survive. Caring for animals this young has shown me how fragile life can be and how important specialized equipment is for giving them the best chance to thrive.

Recently, my husband spotted a juvenile opossum on the side of a busy freeway. He immediately stopped in heavy traffic to rescue the frightened animal from certain death. We safely transported the opossum home, contacted an experienced wildlife rehabilitator for guidance, and have been following her recommendations ever since. The opossum is recovering under my care while he regains his strength and heals from his injuries. As soon as he is healthy, strong, and cleared for release, he will be returned to the wild where he belongs.

Wildlife rehabilitation has become deeply meaningful to me because every orphaned or injured wild animal deserves the opportunity to recover and return to its natural life. I am committed to continuing my education, following the guidance of experienced rehabilitators, using species-appropriate care, and always keeping the ultimate goal in mind: healthy, independent wildlife that can be successfully released back into the wild. Receiving support through Baby Warm would allow me to provide safer, higher-quality care for the vulnerable animals entrusted to me and better prepare them for the lives they were meant to live.