Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Hamlin.
Hi Rebecca, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Every day, I get to live my dream and make a positive impact in the north Texas community as a wildlife rehabilitator. In 2021, I brought an injured opossum to the North Texas Wildlife Center. Today, I’m the president of the organization. We have a fantastic team of volunteers, staff, veterinarians, and leadership who dedicate their time, energy, and compassion to native Texas wildlife. We don’t just help wildlife- we help community members who find wildlife in distress.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our journey has been a mix of smooth and bumpy roads. Wildlife rehabilitation is not for the faint of heart. Animals come to us already compromised, and as a result, we see a lot of trauma and suffering. This has been a significant challenge, but it has also been a source of learning and growth. We’ve learned to be emotionally resilient and have developed coping skills along the way. But it’s not just about the challenges. We’ve also made amazing friends and found a village that supports our organization. It’s a testament to the dedication and resilience of our team.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the North Texas Wildlife Center, we are dedicated to providing rehabilitative care for native Texas wildlife that is sick, injured, and/or orphaned. We are known for our quirky social media presence, but more than that, people see our compassion and dedication. What I’m most proud of is our team’s commitment to continuous improvement. Fueled by compassion and a growth mindset, we are always looking for ways to educate the public, improve our processes and protocols, and ultimately, provide better wildlife rehabilitative care. This dedication to excellence is what sets us apart from other wildlife rehab organizations. We are a multi-species wildlife center that cares for everything ranging from native turtles, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, all the way to coyotes, foxes, owls, and even fawns. We have specialists for a variety of species, and when we encounter something unfamiliar, we reach out to experts in the field for guidance. It’s really amazing.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
There are so many risks! Stepping out of our comfort zones, being vulnerable, asking for help, and so many other things. Aside from the happiness and joy involved in wildlife rehab, a significant risk I’ve taken is putting us out there and sharing the sadness, hard work, loss, and everything we experience. I also try to show the other side so the public knows we do more than just feed cute animals. I put myself at risk of judgment and criticism with each video, photo, and story. I’m not perfect and never will be, so I always welcome feedback and guidance, but it is scary to be relatively green in a field like wildlife rehab.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ntxwildlife.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northtexaswildlifecenter?igsh=MXV6a3ZoMGF3dzJudQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ntxwildlife
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@northtexaswildlifecenter?_t=8nts6MBZChy&_r=1
