#WildlifeRescueNexus
From the Director of OtterSpace:
“In 2009, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Following surgery and recovery, a baby deer wandered into our yard. I wanted to raise it, so I reached out to a rehabber in Orange Park, asking if I could work under her permit. I worked under her for about two years before obtaining my own permit. During that time, I cared for deer, raccoons, bobcats, hundreds of squirrels—and once I got my own permit, I realized non-release animals had nowhere to go.
After discussing it with a friend from work, Don Musser, we decided to form The Ark Wildlife Care and Sanctuary Inc. in the spring of 2014. Our goal was to give non-release animals a place to live out the best life possible in captivity. Many zoos and rehab facilities will not take animals that are impaired or come out of the wild for fear of spreading viruses to their existing animals. Our facility has grown significantly since 2014, and we currently have over 118 permanent residents—animals that are physically or neurologically impaired, blind, or imprinted. While we strive to release every animal back into the wild whenever possible, we are committed to providing the very best life for those deemed non-releasable.”
What OtterSpace Does:
Permanent Haven: They provide a home for animals that can’t return to their native habitat.
Not a Nuisance Service: OtterSpace doesn’t trap or remove wildlife except in special rehab circumstances.
Daily Care: The day starts at 5 a.m. with feeding and continues with cage cleaning, preparing specialized diets, and ensuring overall well-being.
Veterinary Partnerships: With Dr. Michael Payne (Full Circle Animal Hospital) and Dr. Alicia Emerson (Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic) on call, animals receive top-quality care around the clock.
Regulation & Monitoring: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission works closely with OtterSpace, ensuring all long-term care animals are healthy and well-monitored.
Rehabilitation & Release: Animals must be released within 180 days unless a medical necessity dictates otherwise. For those deemed un releasable, validation from a second licensed rehabber, a vet, and a commission officer is required.
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Mission Statement:
OtterSpace Wildlife (aka The Ark) is a 501(c)3 sanctuary dedicated to:
Providing medical treatment through local veterinarians.
Offering a permanent haven for animals with no other options.
Relying on donated supplies to care for animals (food, fencing, medical items, etc.) and routinely purchasing what donations can’t cover.
Educating communities about wildlife: from understanding why deer visit yards to learning when (and when not) to intervene with baby bunnies. OtterSpace firmly believes education fosters tolerance and compassion for the animals sharing our environment.
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RadioCave and the Foundation of Families actively support OtterSpace Wildlife (formerly the Ark), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Hilliard County, Florida. OtterSpace is dedicated to rescuing injured, wrongly imprinted, and abandoned animals that are unfit to be released back into the wild, providing them with a shelter and conservatory for life.
The #WildlifeRescueNexus initiative was started by Christian and Tia Craven of the Foundation of Families and has now become an integral part of RadioCave. They established a partnership with The Ark in 2021 and have since collaborated to create long-term, ongoing yearly support for their organization.
RadioCave and the Foundation of Families acknowledge the importance of assisting mother nature's little fur babies and express gratitude to all those who participate in their events. Many of these animals have been displaced from their homes due to human encroachment, while others are rescued from accidents and other unfortunate circumstances.
The OtterSpace's mission aligns with RadioCave's belief in communities helping each other and forging wonderful futures by providing for one another. They are committed to supporting The Ark's community as they continue to build their own, and they look forward to working with them for many years to come.
For any questions about RadioCave, the Foundation of Families, or The Ark Wildlife Care and Sanctuary, visit The Ark's website at www.thearkwildlifecareandsanctuary.com and their contact page at www.thearkwildlifecareandsanctuary.com/contact
