It was a hot day, the heat index hovering around 105 degrees, but that didn't deter Armstrong's (non) Profiteers. Are you kidding? We live in Savannah. We laugh in the face of heat. We sweat in the face of humidity, and we had a job to do. Our mission? Raven Oaks Raptor Sanctuary of Statesboro, Georgia needed our help. Mel and Debbie Baca, who own and operate the sanctuary, needed a shed painted that will eventually serve as a hospital for the raptors and other wildlife they rescue and foster. We came with five students and two staff members, and we painted. We sweated, and we painted some more! It didn't mean we didn't have time to have some fun and get pictures taken with one of the permanent residents of the sanctuary, this pretty little hawk seen here.

Debbie had some words of wisdom and advice for people who want to help native wildlife they find injured or orphaned. Get the animal to a qualified rehabilitation facility. (Currently, she's the only one in the state of Georgia who actually rehabilitates and releases birds of prey, so she is a VERY busy lady.) Animals who become imprinted--attached to humans--and who are fed improper diets don't develop properly and never learn fear of humans or how to hunt. This bird was fed cat food, and his left foot will never function properly. As you can see, he also has no fear, even of strangers. (They don't come much stranger than me, honey!)

These birds do not become cuddly, sweet pets. They are wild animals, and they will always be wild at heart. Some of them can literally take off your fingers or take out your eyes, and they turn on a dime. It takes years to learn how to handle them properly and give them the medical attention they need. After that, it takes lots of money for lots of permits to be legal. Fines are upwards of $1,000.00 for keeping these animals without a permit, so don't do it. It costs $7.00 per day to feed most of these birds. You can imagine how expensive that gets when the sanctuary is full.

Want to help RORS continue to "keep them free and keep them flying"? Visit www.rorsinc.com to find out how, and if you're ever in Savannah or Statesboro and want to volunteer, take it from me. They're some of the most gracious, hospitable hosts around. You won't leave with unanswered questions or the sense that you didn't accomplish anything meaningful!