How to Help BP Oil Spill Wildlife

You don't have to live in the Gulf region to help wildlife injured by the BP oil spill. Adults, children and community organizations around the country can make a huge impact on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts by creating partnerships between their local community and Gulf region rescue organizations.

Take action locally by organizing a community bake sale, rummage sale or collection day at a local school or church. Then, donate funds or products gathered from the event to wildlife organizations working with the BP oil spill.

Rescue organizations need supplies to sustain both Gulf region volunteers and wildlife affected by the BP oil spill. Key donation items requested include towels, pet kennels and crates, paper towels, gift cards to gas stations and sealed bottled water.

Consider partnering with the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida. The wild bird hospital and sanctuary treats over 8,000 injured, oil soaked and under-nourished wildlife birds per year. If you live in or visit the Gulf region, you can report injured wildlife to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary by calling the wildlife reporting hotline at 1-866-557-1401. If you want to volunteer at the sanctuary, please visit organization volunteer website page by clicking here.

Matter of Trust, a public charity, concentrates on using natural and manmade surplus to help environmental causes. In response to the BP oil spill, Matter of Trust is accepting renewable fiber sources to aid in oil absorption in the Gulf region. For instructions on how to send human or pet hair, alpaca fur, feathers, washed but used pantyhose, fleece, new or used nylons, or burlap to Matter of Trust, please visit their website by clicking here. The charity accepts fiber donations from individuals as well as hair salons, manufactures and farmers.

Choose to adopt one of Louisiana's state birds, the brown pelican. Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research has organized an adoption campaign to specifically assist brown pelicans affected by the BP oil spill. Adopters receive a color photo of the wildlife animal they are assisting in addition to a stuffed animal replica, bird call, information about the species and additional thank you gifts. The adoption fee is $100. To personally adopt a brown pelican, or give the adoption as a gift, visit Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research's brown pelican website by clicking here.

Resources and Suggested Further Reading:
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary , "Sanctuary Needs Donations for a possible impact on Florida's beaches from the Gulf Oil Spill," Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

Matter of Trust, " Instructions - How to Send Hair, Fur, Fleece, Feathers, Nylons," Matter of Trust

Volunteer Florida, The Governors Commission," Register to Volunteer, Listing by Counties in Florida," Volunteer Florida

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, "Brown Pelican," Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research###