Oatland Island Wildlife Center is home to more than 150 animals from 50 different species.  It provides a quality learning experience of the wonderful natural wildlife of Georgia and beyond for Savannah residents, visitors, and the students of the Savannah and Chatham County Public School System.  The facility is assisted by the Friends of Oatland Island, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the staff and animals of Oatland Island Wildlife Center through fundraising efforts and volunteers.

TailsSpin Pet Stuff, a Bentley’s Pet Stuff company, will be collecting donations throughout the month of August, 2017 for the Wildlife Center.  TailsSpin Pet Stuff co-owners Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeff Manley are Friends of Oatland Island board members and are proud to help collect donations to support this valuable Savannah wildlife treasure.

Friends and customers can donate money at all TailsSpin Pet Stuff locations in Savannah, Pooler, Whitemarsh Island, and soon at Berwick Marketplace.  Cards acknowledging contributions will be proudly displayed on TailsSpin’s windows.

In addition, on Saturday, August 26^th, 2017, TailsSpin Pet Stuff will host a self-serve dog wash fundraiser at their Savannah, Pooler, and Whitemarsh Island locations. All proceeds from the day’s self-serve dog washes, along with the donations collected in August, will be given to the Friends of Oatland Island to assist with Oatland Island Wildlife Center’s mission to provide visitors with memorable experiences to help make stronger connections to the natural world.

“Each year, more than 20,000 students take part in our winning programs which include marsh and forest ecology, astronomy, and traditional rural life in 19^th century Georgia,” says Heather Merbs, Director of the Oatland Island Wildlife Center.  “We have more than 50 innovative, hands on opportunities available, to satisfy current Georgia Performance Standards.  School programs are age and grade specific and often feature live animal presentation, guided walks and other inquiry based activities.”

“Oatland Island Wildlife Center provides the highest standards in animal care, modeling good conservation-minded behaviors and practices, as well as maintaining a safe, fun, and engaging environment for our guests,” adds Holly Adams, president of the board of the Friends of Oatland Island. “We operate and implement the gift shop, birthday party gatherings, and other events, to ensure that Oatland Island Wildlife Center is being shared throughout Savannah, Georgia, and beyond.”