Spring has always been a time for new beginnings. Regrowth surrounds us as the weather begins to warm. I know most of us associate Spring with flowers blooming and trees leafing out once again. But it is also a time when wildlife gives birth. Baby raccoons, bunnies, squirrels, deer and other animals that can be found in Coastal Georgia are born. And sometimes, although not intentionally, the mother of a small animal will be killed, leaving her babies to try to survive without her. The odds are against these young ones unless they are lucky enough to be found by Mark Heth.
Mark is the founder of Heth Haven, www.HethHavenInc.com, a not for profit organization on St. Simons Island that takes these little ones in, cares for them then turns them back into the wild when they are strong enough to survive.
He covers most of the state of Georgia, up to South Carolina, down to Florida and as far west as Valdosta. Mark will take the time to drive to a destination where endangered babies are found and return with them to the haven he has created here on St. Simons.
As we talked he mentioned the fact that it’s easy to rescue domestic animals. But a wild animal? Not so easy. Most people are frightened of rabies or some other disease. But for the most part, these babies are nothing more than fragile, innocent beings who simply need some tender loving care in order to be able to return them to their natural habitat.
Mark has lived in the area since the early seventies. His primary source of income has been landscaping, it’s something he came into this world knowing about and he is a master. But in his spare time, he laughs at this term, he is all about rescuing wildlife, finding a better way to care for them and searching for cures to the various illnesses they may be threatened by.
He has been host to students from the University of Georgia who are researching Parvo, a disease that first came to the United States from Great Britain and only affected dogs. Now, the parvo virus can be found in all sorts of animals. Students in the school of veterinary science at UGA are trying to find a cure. It’s a race against time as this disease spreads.
This is something that Mark is passionate about. And lest you think he is sufficiently funded to carry out his dream, he struggles to get the proper food and to provide sufficient care for these babies when they come to him. Ideally he would have the land to make a refuge, several acres where these creatures could be cared for in their natural habitat and given all of the food and medical attention they need.
His mission is an important one. All wildlife contributes to a balanced eco-system, and yes, there has to be a natural form of population control, but those who can and do survive need a fighting chance. Mark provides that in every way. If you are interested in making a donation please contact him at MarkHeth@comcast.net. Your donation is tax deductible and you will be contributing to a cause that means so much.
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