Every rescue is different, but the first 48 hours follow a focused, compassionate process guided by each animal’s needs.
When the transport trailer arrives back at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), the time of day determines our immediate steps. Thanks to our Curator’s thoughtful habitat design—including eight feet of space between enclosures and carefully positioned drainage—we can unload the new arrival directly into the nighthouse area of their permanent habitat, rather than holding them in the hospital. This minimizes stress and allows us to begin quarantine protocols without compromising safety. That spacing is essential, as most rescues have no known medical history and may carry parasites or communicable conditions.
Quarantine takes place in the nighthouse, where the new arrival has time to locate water, food, and shelter. That initial orientation period—often 72 hours or more—lays the foundation for future confidence. Some animals are curious and relaxed, while others are fearful, especially if they’ve never touched grass or had this much space. If an animal arrives highly stressed, we’ll open the full enclosure immediately; the quarantine perimeter remains intact due to the distance between habitat fencing.
Each animal receives an individualized care plan beginning with behavior evaluation. If sedation was required during the rescue, our veterinary team will complete vaccines, microchipping, and bloodwork onsite, storing samples on ice for lab processing at our hospital. That allows us to avoid re-sedation too soon—which can be taxing—and to verify medical histories that may have been falsified. If no sedation occurred, we’ll wait for the animal to fully settle in before scheduling their wellness exam.
Dr. Kellyn determines each animal’s initial diet based on body condition score, age, and observed health. Most rescues lack prior supplements or vaccinations, so we carefully integrate nutritional supplements and medications, introducing glucosamine, digestive aids, and arthritis or renal medicines as needed.
These first days mark the start of a new life, where each animal’s safety, dignity, and long-term well-being take priority. Your monthly donations ensure that we can confidently move ahead and provide each animal with everything they need to enjoy the best quality of life possible in sanctuary.