A young oriole gets fed by a volunteer at Pueblo’s Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Courtesy: Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Anyone in the CSU-Pueblo community who would like to help local wildlife can do so by participating in the upcoming Second Chance Wildlife Third Annual Walk for Hope on Sunday, Sept. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo.

Individuals wanting to participate in the walk will pay a $25 donation. Walkers can choose to do the 3-mile walk or a 1.5-mile kids’ walk.

Everyone is welcome to check out the exhibits set up to benefit the wildlife center for free. Exhibits will include an arts and crafts sale, a silent auction, a bake sale, face painting and displays of local wildlife rehabilitation.

Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit specializing in the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. The center is run solely on donations from the community and small grants.

These bats were rescued and rehabilitated at Pueblo’s Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Courtesy: Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Operating costs for the center during the past year equaled $40,000, which helped to pay for electricity to run the warming lights and incubators, water for animal use and sanitation purposes, specialized species diets, veterinary/medical expenses for the animals and related costs to facilitate the healthy release of each animal.

To sign up for the Walk for Hope, contact Nancy Allen at 719-543-1946 or email secondchancewildlife@comcast.net.

Donations can also be sent to: Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 2730 Colfax Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003 or made online through PayPal at secondchancewildlife.net. A PayPal account is not necessary to donate online.