How Penguin Adoption Can Save Lives
How does the old song go? “I want a hippopotamus little penguin for Christmas”? Unfortunately penguins don’t make very good pets (and in many places that would be illegal). However, you can still adopt a penguin for Christmas, birthdays, or any day in between. Symbolic Adoptions are a popular way for rescue and conservation organizations to support their missions.
I spoke to Emma, the Adoptions Officer at Penguin Rehab & Release in Burnie, Australia. A registered charity, Penguin Rehab & Release takes in sick and injured Little penguins (and other seabirds) and nurses them back to health before returning them to the wild. “Rehabilitating penguins is very expensive,” says Emma. “And we are in constant need of fundraising, so our adoption programme fills a very vital role.”
“For you, it is $30. For a penguin, it is a week's worth of food and medication.”
Found in Australia and New Zealand, Little penguins are aptly named— standing at just 13 inches tall (33 cm), they are the smallest of the penguin species. According to Emma, “penguins come into care for various reasons such as injury, illness, and misadventure.” Penguin Rehab & Release works with many organizations and veterinarians in the area to rescue and care for the birds.
But caring for penguins isn’t cheap. The main expenses are veterinary care, medications, and fish— penguins can eat a lot! Says Emma, “We are only able to continue to operate and continue to take birds into care by fundraising, so the financial support of adoptions really is vital.”
Luckily, adoption is easy. Simply make a $30 AUD donation to Penguin Rehab & Release either through Paypal or direct money transfer, then email them with the details.
What do adopters get, other than the knowledge of helping penguins in need? “Adopters receive a digital certificate with their name on it and they are thanked for their support on future social media updates of their adopted penguin.” Emma explains, then adds with a smile, “They also receive warm and fuzzy feelings.”
If you’re still on the fence about adopting a penguin, be sure to visit the Penguin Rehab & Release Facebook page, where they regularly post photos and stories about the penguins. You can read about Cliff, who could barely stand upon admission to the center, but who now acts as a role model to the younger penguins. Then there’s Tib, who was traumatically abused as a young penguin but is slowly learning to trust again — with help from some tasty fish.
“Donations received through our adoption programme really do make a difference,” Emma emphasizes. “For you, it is $30. For a penguin, it is a week's worth of food and medication.”
So why not give the gift of penguins this holiday season?
To learn more about Penguin Rehab & Release, visit their website.