Spotlight: Melissa Kovach
FoxTales Wildlife Rehab is so grateful for our wonderful supporters. We hope you enjoy reading Melissa’s impressive story! Melissa is part of the Friends of Wildlife at the Lake.
How did you first find out about FoxTales Wildlife Rehab?
I first heard about FoxTales via Facebook. I'm an admin in Virginia Wildlife and saw the organization there.
Why do you think it is important to coexist with wildlife?
To put it simply, it's their planet, too. All wildlife has a role on this Earth and in its many ecosystems. Our role as humans should be to respect all creatures and their ecosystems (that we invade). Most importantly, coexisting helps maintain ecological balance and biodiversity, while also ensuring a sustainable future for all of us.
How did you get started working with wildlife?
From a young age, my grandparents instilled in me a deep love for wildlife. I cannot remember a time where I didn't love animals. In 2021, on a whim, I went to a meeting for a neighborhood group that formed when a family of foxes was trapped and euthanized. The group's mission was to educate our community and promote coexistence. We have started a community hotline, accepting calls and messages from residents needing advice or with wildlife emergencies. We are now a small but mighty group of rescuers, transporters, educators, etc. A few of us are also Category 4 permitted caregivers. It honestly feels like a childhood dream come true and I have made some amazing friends as well.
What made you want to volunteer with FoxTales?
FoxTales isn't too far from us and my friend/fellow volunteer met Elizabeth at an event. She and I had just gotten our permits under a different rehabber and decided to meet with Elizabeth. We really liked her and the environment. We're so thankful to get to volunteer for FoxTales!
With all your hands-on volunteer experience, do you have a favorite animal?
That is a tough call. My favorite animal to work with period is snakes. They are my area of "expertise" (and my obsession). My favorite rescue experience is a tie between "rebranching" a great horned owlet that had blown down in some wind and when we successfully reunited a big brown bat pup with its mom by laying it on top of a ladder for her to retrieve. I don't know that any moment could top feeding a baby fox, though.
Do you have any advice for someone who is considering volunteering with a wildlife rehabber, but may be hesitating to do so?
Do it. Every single moment is worth it. It only has to be as big of a commitment as you want it to be, and you will learn so much.
Is there anything about wildlife that you wish the public would understand?
I wish people would understand that wildlife doesn't have to directly benefit them in order to deserve its existence. Every animal already has a more important purpose than serving us. Also, that fear is not an excuse for cruelty to animals. No creature deserves to die simply because a human is afraid of it.
