Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynne McCoy.
Hi Lynne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began wildlife rehabilitation back in 1973 when a little screech owl was hit by a car, and the animal shelter called to ask why it wasn’t eating… I found out they were feeding birdseed and I explained owls don’t do birdseed! So they gave it to me for care and then more wildlife in need and it just mushroomed and this was when I lived in Morristown.
I got permitted from the USFWS and TWRA to do wildlife care and it went from there from doing about 50 critters a year to over 1100 before cancer hit. I am permitted for mammals, birds, herps. And a separate permit for doing Education programs using non-releasable wildlife that would not survive due to imprinting or injuries if released.
Wildlife rehab is about getting the critters ready to return to the wild, not making pets. Education ambassadors are the exception. I network closely with the UT Vet School, Exotic dept. Dr. Cheryl Greenacre & Janet Jones.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Struggles include learning as I went as back in the 70’s no one was really doing rehab & it was viewed more as “little Ole Ladies in Tennis Shoes” trying to help dogs/cats/ critters. I read everything I could find on proper diet & care. Had a couple of wonderful local veterinarians willing to try helping.
Also, there was and still is no funding so all out of pocket. I cruised the roads/landfills for tossed-out cages, etc. Of course, it is quite different now, as Wildlife Rehab became more known come the 80’s and there began to be conferences in other states if you could manage to get there.
Baby Season means up every couple hours at night to feed, cage cleaning, weighing the little ones then starting all over again during daylight hours. Baby birds sleep at night but have to be fed about every half hour during the day answering phone calls for advice, taking in orphaned or injured critters folks are kind enough to bring… there is no way to go “pick up” both time & expense-wise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education is my life work. Proud of reaching both children (I give programs even to preschoolers as they learn coming face to face with a possum or bird or snake & their eyes just open in awe & they make a connection that will last forever) and adults… Releasing an animal that came in orphaned or injured and under care has recovered and is ready for return to the wild opens my heart like nothing else.
We are always part of the tapestry of life and each creature has a strand, and if we lose one we are weaker for it.
What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to winning the battle with cancer and being able to return to what I love… lots of prayers are being sent and I just trust in the Lord that there are plans for me, and if not, I will just salute and follow the path set out.
Contact Info:
- Email: backwoodslynne@aol.com
- Facebook: Lynne McCoy
Charlotte Smith
January 12, 2022 at 8:17 pm
Lynne McCoy has a huge following on Facebook. She is a selfless person who gives all she has to the care and well-being of the injured or orphaned “critters” that are fortunate enough to end up in her care. She doesn’t like to ask for help with expenses or animal food and formulas, but many kind people insist on helping with donations of money or fruits and vegetables. Those of us who love and respect her are also praying for good results from her latest round of cancer treatments.
LORI Sexton
January 12, 2022 at 10:07 pm
So proud to call you friend! Hang in there and keep up the good fight. I cannot look at a squirrel and not think about “Lil Sis” that we sent your way a couple years ago!