North Texas Wildlife Hospital & Rehab Center In Danger Of Closing

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DALLAS COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - It saves thousands of lives a year, as the only hospital and rehabilitation center of its kind in North Texas, but is in danger of shutting down.

At the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Hutchins egrets fly free, hawks are scared and parrots talk. And all of the birds owe their lives to Kathy Rogers.

"You never know what's coming in the front door," she said.

Rogers started treating injured and sick birds 35 years ago. She may have some scars from handling the birds but says, "Every cut has been my own fault."

None of the encounters have discouraged her from building a 20-acre avian refuge. But the money that comes solely from donations is running out.

"After 30 years of absorption we can't do it any longer," she admitted.

The possibility for closure is worrisome for those who care about wildlife injured from flying into windows, falling out of cut trees or swallowing trash like one swan at White Rock Lake.

Without the rehab center, injured and sick birds in the area would likely be euthanized or left to die.

Jackson Byrd is a volunteer at Rogers Wildlife. "The only other facilities that would be able to take the birds would be a veterinary facilities."

So without outside help, the future for hundreds of wild vultures, owls, peacocks and whippoorwills may actually depend on theirs wings and a prayer.

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