Carolina Waterfowl Rescue

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Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Provides sanctuary, rescue and rehabilitation of wild waterfowl, farmed and exotic animals.

Injured Birds may be dropped off 7 days a week between the hours of 8am and 6pm at 5403 Poplin Road Indian Trail, NC 28079

🩺🦆 🦎 🐍 🩺 Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!Behind every animal at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is a dedicated team ...
10/22/2026

🩺🦆 🦎 🐍 🩺 Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

Behind every animal at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is a dedicated team working hard to provide exceptional care!

This week, we’re giving a BIG shoutout to our incredible rehab technicians who go above and beyond to bring our animals back to full health and help them to thrive. From routine checkups and preventative care to assisting with medical procedures, their compassion, expertise and dedication make a difference every single day.

10/22/2026

Watch Lester eat produce for the first time. 🥦

Lester arrived on September 29 in rough shape: 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds) and morbidly obese. He couldn't see — his fat rolls were so heavy his eyelids couldn't open properly. His left tusk was overgrown and rubbing against his face, his hooves were overgrown, and he had painful sores where his skin folds rubbed together.

His old life ran on junk food. His new life runs on a plan: a strict, measured diet, regular exercise, a mud pit to cool off in, daily eye flushes, and a goal of losing 10 to 15 kilograms — more than a quarter of his body weight — to reach a healthy 40 kilograms.

Three weeks in, it's working. He's walking around much more. As he slims down, his eyes are opening — he can now perceive shadows and movement near him. And today, for the first time, he ate fresh produce. He's not just tolerating his diet. He's learning to eat healthy, and he's enjoying it. (He also enjoys scratches behind his ears, if you're offering.)

Now for the best part: Lester is looking for a forever home. 🏡

His adopter will be part of his journey, so we're looking for a home that will:
• Keep his healthy diet going — no going back to junk food
• Give him room to roam and exercise, plus a mud wallow to cool off in
• Keep up his hoof, tusk, and veterinary care
• Understand that pigs are smart, strong-willed, and a long-term commitment

Think Lester belongs with you? Send us a message — we'd love to talk.

You can follow Lester's whole journey, chart and photos included, right here:
http://cwrescue.hopto.org/cgi-bin/RaptorMedCGI.exe?patient=2026-5822&forceDisplay=true

Please note: The public link shows only part of each patient's record. Full patient charts are available to CWR staff only. Also, chart entries are transcribed after care is provided, so there may be a delay between when a treatment is given and when it appears in the public chart.

So many of you have been asking how our great blue heron is doing after we posted him, showing the flukes in his mouth. ...
10/22/2026

So many of you have been asking how our great blue heron is doing after we posted him, showing the flukes in his mouth.

here's his update. And he finally has a name: meet Skye.

If you missed his first post: Skye arrived on September 29, found tangled and completely immobilized in discarded fishing line. The line had cut deep into his left wing at the joint. That first post was about the flukes, the parasites our team spent his intake removing from his mouth and throat, more than 30 of them. He weighed just 1,400 grams, thin for a bird who stands nearly four feet tall.

Since then, our team has kept up his wound care, but the line had destroyed too much circulation in that wing. On October 12, the dead end of the wing had to be removed, and a wound check on October 16 took off a little more necrotic tissue and dead bone. Skye will never fly again. We won't pretend that's not a hard update to give.

But here's how he's doing — really doing: he's thriving. He eats 10 to 14 fish a day and has gained over 300 grams. His chart is full of good days — eating everything offered, and one recent note even caught him with his beak briefly stuck to his bandage wrap before staff freed it. (He's fine. The wrap lost.)

Once his wound has healed completely, he'll move to a sanctuary placement at Skywatch — yes, that's where his name comes from. And that placement is a bigger deal than it might sound. Great blue herons are one of the highest-stress birds we work with, and normally we don't consider herons for placement, because temperament has to be part of that decision. Skye is different. He probably grew up around an area with a lot of people, because his temperament is remarkably good, he's not just tolerating care, he's thriving. And since his predicament was human-caused, we absolutely want to give him his chance.

If you'd like to keep up with him between posts, his chart is public and updated regularly — weights, wound checks, photos, all of it. Follow Skye here:

http://cwrescue.hopto.org/cgi-bin/RaptorMedCGI.exe?patient=2026-5821&forceDisplay=true

One strand of fishing line did all of this. Discarded line doesn't break down in nature, and it can cost a bird a wing or its life. Please cut old line into small pieces, use the monofilament recycling bins at boat ramps and piers, and never leave line behind.

Thank you for asking about him — please keep asking. Skye's story isn't over. His life is just going to look different now..

Please note: The public link shows only part of each patient's record. Full patient charts are available to CWR staff only. Also, chart entries are transcribed after care is provided, so there may be a delay between when a treatment is given and when it appears in the public chart.
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As home to two of the three groups of reptiles—turtles and snakes/lizards—we excitedly embrace National Reptile Awarenes...
10/21/2026

As home to two of the three groups of reptiles—turtles and snakes/lizards—we excitedly embrace National Reptile Awareness Day and celebrate their existence as an essential part of our ecosystem.

All this month, we've introduced you to some of our reptiles and the volunteers who take the time to help relocate snakes (a free service!), and told you about some of the perils reptiles face.

Currently, we have two ball pythons up for adoption. Interested in one of them? Let us know by visiting our adoption page at https://www.cwrescue.org/adopt

10/21/2026

SAVING SNAKES, ONE RELOCATION AT A TIME!

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗧 — 𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦

Did you know that Carolina Waterfowl Rescue offers a FREE snake relocation program? We're proud to work alongside some incredible people who share our passion for protecting these often misunderstood animals!

Today, we'd like to introduce you to Pat D. Waggon Patrick Kamberos (Pat), co-owner of Cold Blooded & Bizarre, a unique reptile and exotic animal shop located in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

But Pat is so much more than a reptile shop owner!

When he's not running his business, Pat spends an incredible amount of time helping reptiles in need, coordinating rehabilitative care for injured snakes, and researching reptiles around the world.

His passion for these animals goes far beyond the walls of his store.

𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣!

Founded in 2019, Cold Blooded & Bizarre has become a wonderful resource for reptile enthusiasts and wildlife lovers throughout the Charlotte area.

The shop specializes in reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, but what makes it especially meaningful to us is the commitment to animal welfare, rescue, and education.

Pat and his team have helped reptiles in need of rehabilitation and rehoming, worked alongside wildlife rescue organizations, and dedicated themselves to teaching the public about these fascinating animals.

We're incredibly proud to partner with Pat and Cold Blooded & Bizarre to help protect our local snakes.

🐍 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠

Every year, countless snakes are killed simply because someone is frightened of them.

But snakes aren't out looking for trouble. They're simply trying to survive, find food, and live their lives.

Our FREE snake relocation program helps connect people with volunteers who can safely relocate snakes when necessary, giving these animals a chance to live instead of being killed.

Our network includes independent wildlife rehabilitators, experienced reptile handlers, rescuers, and volunteers who generously contribute their time and resources.

People like Pat are an important part of making these efforts possible!

🙋 𝗪𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦!

We're actively recruiting additional volunteers to expand our snake relocation network!

Whether you're an experienced snake handler, a wildlife rehabilitator, or someone interested in learning how to help, we'd love to hear from you.

The more volunteers we have, the more communities we can serve and the more snakes we can save.

𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗?

Our snake relocation service is completely FREE, although assistance depends on volunteer availability in your area.

Please don't attempt to handle an unfamiliar snake yourself. Keep your distance and contact an experienced relocator for assistance.

🦎 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠?

If you're in the Charlotte area, stop by Cold Blooded & Bizarre and support a local business that truly cares about animals!

📍 3000 Central Avenue, Suite 8, Charlotte, NC

🌐 www.coldbloodedandbizarre.com

Whether you're interested in reptiles, need supplies, or simply want to learn more about these fascinating creatures, it's a wonderful place to visit!

💚 Thank you, Pat, for everything you do for reptiles, wildlife, and our community. We're proud to have you as a partner in protecting these amazing animals!

Remember: You don't have to love snakes to respect their right to live.

What do four baby chicks dream about? 💛🐥🐥🐥🐥💛A safe place to close their eyes. A warm spot to snuggle together. A tomorro...
10/21/2026

What do four baby chicks dream about? 💛🐥🐥🐥🐥💛

A safe place to close their eyes. A warm spot to snuggle together. A tomorrow where they can grow, explore, and just be chicks.

For our little , that dream is coming true at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. These tiny newcomers have a second chance at life and a haven where they’ll be cared for as they grow.

Dream big, little ones. You’ve found your safe place. 💛

Follow along with us on their journey. Next up: It's feeding time for this hungry bunch.

Wishlist Wednesday is here and we could really use your help with these items. (Yes, even an animal rescue needs toner f...
10/21/2026

Wishlist Wednesday is here and we could really use your help with these items. (Yes, even an animal rescue needs toner from time to time. We've told Whoops that printing a newsletter isn't necessary this day and age, but someone's not listening.)

✏️ Office Supplies https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/33TS05VJ8ZO37?type=WishList&filter=unpurchased&sort=priority&viewType=list&itemSearchKeyword=office

From the tiniest nestling to the tallest emu, every animal here relies on us to have what they need—clean spaces, safe housing, nourishing food, and healthy environments. When you donate from our wishlist, you’re giving more than supplies. You’re giving comfort, care, and the chance for every animal to heal.

📍𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽-𝗼𝗳𝗳: 5403 Poplin Road, Indian Trail NC
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁/𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/donateone-timerecurring
𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗣𝗮𝗹:
𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗼: (phone 2105)
𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗔𝗽𝗽: $cwrescue
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀: CWR PO Box 1484, Indian Trail, NC 28079-1484
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗻: www.patreon.com/waterfowlrescue

A wildlife-friendly cleanup:• Leave the leaves in garden beds and along fence lines. They feed your soil too.• Walk the ...
10/20/2026

A wildlife-friendly cleanup:
• Leave the leaves in garden beds and along fence lines. They feed your soil too.
• Walk the yard before mowing or mulching, and raise the mower deck.
• Check brush piles before burning, or move them first.

Found an injured turtle or a nest of babies? Keep them contained, warm and quiet, and TEXT us at 704-286-6330 before offering food or water.

10/20/2026

That feeling when you've gone literally hours without a snacky snack.

Because some days we're all the . Other days, we're more like and .

𝗭𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻A Poem for All Hallow's Eve 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃🐔 🎃👻 🎃👻 🎃 👻 🎃👻𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳...
10/20/2026

𝗭𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻
A Poem for All Hallow's Eve
🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃🐔 🎃👻 🎃👻 🎃 👻 🎃👻

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,
𝘈 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸,
𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝙕𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙚, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦,
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘡𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴, "𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦!"
𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘍𝘓𝘈𝘗 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘊𝘙𝘌𝘌𝘗,
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 "𝘉𝘖𝘖!" 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯,
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 "𝘉𝘙𝘈𝘈𝘈𝘞𝘒!" 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯!

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺,
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺.
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥, 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝙕𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙚 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘮.

𝘚𝘰 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,
𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮—
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘡𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯!

Address

Indian Trail
Indian Trail, NC

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

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