Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators to Host 20th Anniversary Celebration October 15

Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators is hosting a 20th anniversary celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. October 15 as it wraps up this year’s First Saturday's season.

The facility’s co-founder Kathy Hershey says two decades is a long time, but time is of relatively little consequence when you are doing what you love.

Utopia was founded in 2002 by Hershey and Dr. Melissa Newcomb following the appearance of West Nile Virus in Indiana. When local animal control authorities and conservation officers became inundated with ill birds, especially raptors, Hershey and Newcomb were approached about acquiring the necessary permits to treat the sick birds. Since that time, Utopia has treated and helped literally thousands of wildlife, including reptiles, mammals and birds of prey.

The upcoming celebration will feature a variety of kids’ activities, including face and pumpkin painting, crafts and story time, Hershey says. There will also be lots of music, food and wildlife, she adds.

And, of course, the residents of Utopia, including eagles, owls and a falcon, will be making appearances of their own.

“We have a coyote, fox and all Indiana wild animals,” Hershey says.

As this year’s First Saturday’s season comes to a close, Hershey says she and her staff are giving serious consideration to what Utopia’s programing and events will look like moving forward.

The intention is that the 501(c)(3) nonprofit continues to evolve to become even more of an educational resource for Bartholomew County and Central Indiana, Hershey says.

“We are projecting ahead, and we are trying to figure out what that looks like,” Hershey says. “We are really wanting to make this an educational resource for the area. We think that is important to be an education center for nature, learning about nature, learning about wildlife and sustainability, all of that.”

Hershey readily admits that running a facility like Utopia requires a lot of resources, time and volunteers.

“If people are interested in volunteering, that would be lovely,” Hershey says. “We have a need for all kinds of volunteers, including yard work, animal care and handy people for all kinds of things.”

Those who would like to learn more about volunteering, or sign up to help, can contact Hershey via email at [email protected].

“Everyone here is a volunteer, so we can use all the help we can get,” Hershey adds.

But, for now, celebrating 20 amazing years of help and healthful success for countless Hoosier critters is at the fore.

“We just want to celebrate,” Hershey says. “Someone said we are one of Columbus’ best-kept secrets, but we have a lot of people who know about us now and I want to celebrate that.”