LEEDS — The Catskills are about to throw the most unusual baby shower in Greene County — and it’s for the animals.
As part of Meadowbrook Farm Catskills’ Spring Fling, Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation will host a special Wildlife Baby Shower Fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26, running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Meadowbrook Farm in Leeds.
The event, held indoors inside a barn on the property, is designed to raise crucial funds and supplies for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured wildlife throughout the Catskills.
The fundraiser will feature a silent auction packed with gift baskets and gift certificates donated by local businesses, along with a growing Amazon registry that functions much like a traditional baby shower list — allowing community members to contribute whatever they can, whether it’s a small item or a larger donation.
A Growing Network Saving Hundreds of Animals
Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation was founded three years ago by Tonya Frickey, the organization’s president, with the goal of creating a reliable funding structure for local wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators.
Today, the organization has become an umbrella group with eight sub-organizations working together, each assisting different parts of Greene County and caring for different types of animals.
Their work includes providing supplies that can mean the difference between life and death for wild animals in crisis — including medicine, incubators, fleece blankets, syringes, formula, heating pads, and puppy pads, which are often essential when animals are recovering and must be kept clean and warm.
At any given time, Tonya says, a single rehabilitator has been responsible for caring for 200 to 300 animals over time— a number that surprises many residents who don’t realize the scale of wildlife emergencies happening quietly behind the scenes.
The animals rescued through the network range from the common to the unexpected. They have taken in opossums, rabbits, weasels, and squirrels, and have also cared for more complex wildlife cases including foxes and bobcat kits — and yes, even the Catskills’ prickliest celebrities: porcupines.
Tonya herself has developed a reputation in the community for her skill with squirrels, earning her the nickname “the squirrel whisperer.” Many of the animals that pass through her care are named after where they were found, such as “Vozzie,” a squirrel recovered near Vosenkill Road.
Community Support Keeps the Mission Alive
Tonya emphasized that the organization’s work depends heavily on the public.
“The Greene County community has been extremely generous to us over the years and furthered our cause,” she said.
With the number of rescues increasing and supplies constantly being used up, organizers say this fundraiser is not just helpful — it’s necessary.
Proceeds from the silent auction and fundraiser will be split between the organizations working with and alongside Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation, helping sustain the entire network of rescuers and rehabilitators operating throughout the Catskills.
The fundraiser will take place during Meadowbrook Farm’s Spring Fling, hosted by Angela Worth, where patrons can celebrate the season by strolling through the property and viewing Meadowbrook’s tulips — and even purchasing them.
Spring Fling will include food, beer, wine, live music, and a variety of vendors from throughout the region, along with children’s activities separate from the fundraiser.
Tonya humorously stated that Angela at Meadowbrook Farm has taken Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation “under her wing” — a fitting pun for an organization working so closely with wildlife.
Admission to the event is free, though parking is $20.
In addition to the auction and registry, guests will be able to watch local videos of wildlife rescues, including updates showing how animals are doing after being brought into care.
The organization will also have Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation t-shirts and postcards available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the mission.
A special guest will also be on site: Dave Loverde, from Friends of the Feathered & Furry Wildlife Center, one of the organizations working under the Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation umbrella.
Loverde will appear with an ambassador barred owl, giving attendees a chance to meet and learn about the work involved in wildlife rehabilitation — and what it takes to safely care for animals that cannot survive on their own.
Tonya encourages residents to follow Catskill Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation on Facebook and to spread the word about the fundraiser, especially among local businesses and community members who may want to contribute to the auction or registry.
She can be reached by email at: CatskillMTNwr@gmail.com
With spring arriving — and with it, the busiest season of the year for wildlife rescue — organizers hope this “Wildlife Baby Shower” will bring the community together for a cause that is both deeply local and quietly heroic.
Because in the Catskills, sometimes the smallest lives require the biggest support.
