Give Hope. Give Wild. By David

Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation – Give Hope, Give Wild, Give Extra

What is one animal at Acorn Acres whose story touched your heart and why?

The animal who touched my heart the most was Snags the Squirrel. I don’t think anyone who met her or even just heard her story walked away the same.

Snags came into Betsy's care in bad shape. She was injured when she should’ve been safe, and her odds were not in her favor. She went from being slated for euthanasia to becoming one of the most unforgettable ambassador animals Acorn Acres ever had. And I had a front-row seat to that transformation.

What struck me about Snags wasn’t just her fight to survive, but how she lived afterward. She didn’t just recover she thrived. She wore her little harness, traveled with Betsy, educated people in multiple states, and stole hearts everywhere she went. She showed folks what a squirrel can be: smart, capable, emotional, funny, and full of personality.

For me, she became more than an ambassador. She was a reminder of why Acorn Acres exists; to give animals a chance when the world doesn’t. Snags lived ten incredible years, which is almost unheard of, and every one of those years meant something because she turned her trauma into purpose.

Losing her hurt. It still does. But I’m grateful I got to be part of her story. She proved that one little squirrel can change a lot of lives including mine.

How has volunteering or supporting Acorn Acres changed the way you see wildlife and our community?

Supporting Acorn Acres has changed the way I look at wildlife and honestly, the way I live my daily life. I can’t even mow the lawn or walk to the truck without scanning the yard like a hawk to make sure no squirrel toddlers are out there doing something questionable. That’s the “married to Betsy” effect.

Before Acorn Acres, wildlife was just… wildlife. Cute, interesting, but not something I thought deeply about. Now every squirrel, groundhog, and rabbit has a whole personality in my head. I’ll say things like, “That youngster looks like trouble,” and catch myself sounding exactly like Betsy which is both terrifying and hilarious.

But the biggest shift has been how I see people.

Every animal that comes through those doors represents someone who cared. Someone who stopped their day, scooped up a crying baby squirrel, called for help, or drove across the county just to give a wild animal a chance. And every ExtraGive donation, volunteer hour, or shared post reminds me that our community is full of folks with genuinely good hearts.

Acorn Acres made me realize that kindness is contagious. Betsy started something here that pulls people together even people like me who swore they “weren’t really the wild animal care type.” Now look at me… the man who used to worry about groundhogs digging under the shed is married to one of the biggest wildlife champions in the state, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Supporting Acorn Acres has made me see the world differently: more compassion, more connection, and definitely more squirrels than I ever expected to think about in one lifetime.

What do you wish more people understood about wildlife rehabilitation?

I wish that more people understood that rehabbers do this because they care deeply about wildlife and the community. Acorn Acres is completely volunteer-run, so every piece of medical equipment, every enclosure, every drop of formula, every syringe, every warm incubator...it's all funded by donations from people who believe in this work.

I also wish people knew just how fragile these animals are and how much knowledge goes into caring for them correctly. It's not as simple as picking up a baby squirrel and giving it cow's milk (please don't). There are species-specific diets, medical protocols, legal requirements and safety concerns that the average person never has to think about.

But here’s the part that hit me personally: every animal here has a story. They aren’t just wildlife, they’re individuals. Snags proved that to me in a big way. These animals feel pain, stress, comfort, safety. And when they’re given a second chance, they take it with everything they’ve got.

So I guess the short answer is this: Wildlife rehabilitation is hard, specialized, emotional work… and it’s absolutely worth every minute.

And the long answer? Well, I’m married to Betsy, so I’ve become a full-time believer whether I meant to or not.

Why are you choosing to give extra this year and what difference do you hope your support will make?

I’m giving extra this year because I see every day what Acorn Acres does behind the scenes. The late-night feedings, the medical cases, the emergencies; none of it happens without community support.

I’m hoping my gift helps keep the clinic running strong so more animals like Snags, Elliott, and Belvedere get the second chances they deserve. And honestly? Giving extra is one of the best ways I can support Betsy and the work she pours her heart into.