|
AWARE is the vision of Michael Ellis, a wildlife rehabilitator and long-time Atlanta resident. After spending 10 years as a wildlife rehabilitator in the northwestern United States, Michael returned to Atlanta to find that there was only one, small rehabilitation center serving the entire area. Metro Atlanta is situated in the second most densely forested area in the country, and people in a city the size of Atlanta typically find 10,000–15,000 injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals each year. The existing center could only care for several hundred animals; Michael was determined to remedy this situation. In 1999, Michael founded the Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE), a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization, with the help of experienced wildlife rehabilitator Melanie Haire and a small group of concerned friends. Michael and Melanie saw the desperate need for an environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation center that would serve metro Atlanta, and more broadly, the southeast. With grand dreams and no money, they began the project. The center needed to be near Atlanta to maintain both a volunteer base and financial support. Michael contacted various government agencies to inquire about land they would be willing to share with AWARE. Within a few months, AWARE was working with DeKalb County government to find a location for the center. After 5 ½ years of searching, planning, and convincing county officials that the idea was long overdue, DeKalb County and AWARE reached an agreement and signed a lease. DeKalb County generously offered AWARE the use of 7 acres with a house at Arabia Mountain. In return, AWARE would provide wildlife educational services to the county. With this, AWARE was born. The center began accepting animals in 2006. AWARE is a private, federally recognized, 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization
|
