Some people may go their entire life without ever coming across a wildlife animal in need; but others are faced with the decision to step in to help on many occasions.
Charlie Benton, a truck driver, has become a familiar face at Happinest because of all the wildlife he has rescued since 2012. The first was a screech owl that fell out of the grill of a semi at a truck stop. Later, he saved a lifeless American Robin hit by a car, a severely injured Canada Goose, a male House Finch sickened by conjunctivitis at his own bird feeder and an orphaned baby raccoon. Charlie called Happinest when he found the tiny raccoon and Sherry referred him to a licensed rehabber who specialized in rabies vector species. He drove two hours out of town to make sure the raccoon received the care it needed.
Weeks ago, on February 9, Charlie’s GPS guided him 24 miles out of the way in Bristol. When he stopped to turn around, he noticed an American Robin lying upside down on the side of the road…it was as if the GPS took him out of the way for a reason. He picked up the injured bird, wrapped it in his jacket, and again, contacted Sherry at Happinest for advice. The Robin was lethargic and in shock, so he placed him in the cab of the truck and turned up the heat to warm him up as advised. Amazingly, the Robin perked up and was admitted at Happinest later that same day. The robin has a broken right wing and slight head trauma, but thanks to the steps Charlie took to save this bird, he is expected to make a full recovery.
