Sarah Pitts

Hantsport, Nova Scotia

I spent about two months at Critter Care and I can honestly say that I miss that place dearly. When I first arrived at Critter Care, the other interns and my supervisors as well as Gail Martin who runs the place greeted me. I felt like I was being welcomed into someone’s home. And in just a few days, I felt like it was my home too. I made the best friends at Critter Care. I met the most interesting people, people who had the same interests as me. During the time I spent there, we had a 3-week period where we had only 3 interns including myself. But that didn’t seem to matter to us. We got up together every day, worked hard and took care of our babies (the animals). We got into the habit of calling them our own. I never thought I would be working with wild animals in all my life. It’s a surreal experience.

I had the privilege of working with the Otters. They’re very special animals and remind me of puppies. All they want to do is play, they live to play. And it’s such a joy to watch them. I also got to work with the bears. They are such powerful animals but they are also very sweet and like to show off. Everyone helped with the raccoons because the amount of them we had was unreal. When I arrived, there were a total of 90 raccoons. I couldn’t believe it. I was also given many baby squirrels to take care of. Six baby opossums were put in my care as well, and they are just the cutest things. Animals have different personalities and you find that if you spend enough time with them, no matter how much they look alike you can always tell who is who. I had the best time being able to interact with all of these animals.

But it is very serious when you commit to a place like Critter Care. These animals depend on you. You have to be responsible for yourself and the animals that are put in your care. Sometimes it’s really hard work and you can get frustrated. But at the end of the day when you go to check on the animals, it’s so rewarding to watch them for a little while. And when you see that, they are safe and happy all the frustration and tiredness you felt that day just melts away. It’s even more rewarding when you see that your baby animals have developed skills, the skills they need to survive in the wild. And then the release…. oh my goodness. It just fills your heart to see them out there where they belong, even though you don’t want to let them go.

All that I’ve just said makes it sound so easy and fun. But I do want to let you know that if you decide to go to Critter Care, you have to be prepared to work hard and deal with situations that come along in a mature manner. It’s a challenge some days but you’re expected to do your best with what is handed to you. I did things I never thought I could do. And I overcame many of my fears. I have never felt more useful and important in all my life. I do love this place and I will never forget it. I hope to be back one day. This little bit that I’ve written doesn’t even begin to explain what this place is like. You’ll have to see for yourself. I would like to thank Gail for letting me come to Critter Care and I’d like to thank my supervisors for making my time there something I’ll never forget. And to all the people I met, it wouldn’t have been the same without you there with me.