We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Hamlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rebecca, what do you attribute your success to?
North Texas Wildlife Center contributes their success to the community. Members of our community find sick, orphaned, or injured wildlife and entrust it to us. The community also donates monetarily and in-kind items which allow us to continue to intake wildlife. Without their support, we would not exist.
In addition to the community, our leaders, rehabbers, and volunteers play a significant role in our success. The ability to rely on one another, carry the load when needed, and lend a helping hand allows us to continue to rescue, rehab, and release North Texas wildlife. We are so thankful for such a hardworking team!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In November 2020, I came across an orphaned opossum. I was put in contact with NTXWC and met Mela at drop-off. From that day forward, I was a bit obsessed with opossums. A couple of months later, I reached out asking about how to join their team and learn the ropes of rehabbing wildlife.
It hasn’t been easy- rehabbing is a full time job with a lot of heartache. No matter how hard we try, how much time and energy we put into it, there are instances where we simply cannot save the animal. It can take an emotional toll. The good thing about working with North Texas Wildlife Center is that we have a safe space to vent and cry. At the end of the week, we all work together to pick up the pieces and start over.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We have regular meetings at Project Pollo on Greenville in Dallas. Their vegan food is delicious, comforting, and the atmosphere is always laid back. We go when we’re sad, we go to celebrate, and we go just to hang out. It’s a NTXWC favorite!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
North Texas Wildlife Center is a labor of love, hardwork, and dedication started by Mela and Jeniffer. I joined last year and since then, am amazed at their commitment to North Texas wildlife and our community. Rehabbing wildlife and running a center is a 24/7 job and it isn’t easy. They’ve done so much, and continue to do so much, for the success of the center.
Website: www.ntxwildlife.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northtexaswildlifecenter/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ntxwildlife
Other: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/ntxwildlife