Life & Work with April Hoffman

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Hoffman.

Hi April, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Finding a wildlife animal realizing there are limited resources in wildlife conflict or rehabilitation. Different agencies for example Animal Control, Wildlife rehabilitation, and pest control all have different governing laws, regulations that must be abide by. Upon realizing this it made me think about how I can better serve when others face this situation.

I volunteered at a rescue, flew around the country attending every symposium available to meet the required wildlife code of graduate from a Veterinary College or similar to obtain a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. Upon obtaining the required education and experience I applied and started Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation a nonprofit that serves the state of Missouri in Wildlife Mammal Rehabilitation out of Jackson County.

That educates the public for free by Wild Souls hotline when facing a wildlife conflict whether that is a reuniting strategy ( if you find a baby to place back in the nest as a mom is nearby) A transport team that elderly disabled lady on a fixed income that had a raccoon in her bedroom that was not able to afford a pest control service Wild Souls went onsite for free to humanely evict the raccoon for her instead of living in fear and exposing herself or her home to disease or injury.

The Wild Souls Clinic where candidates of rehabilitation are brought in and cared for to a healthy status to return to the wild due to human interference, that fox pup that was run over by a mower. Wild Souls is 1 of 2 nonprofit Wildlife Rehabilitations with a transport team in the state.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wild Souls has had a growth increase of 525% of animal intake, phone calls every year. It has not been an easy process although we make it look easy.

Wild Souls receives NO Government funding and grants for wildlife rehabilitation or rescue are very limited nationwide. The constant adaptation of fundraising, providing quality care while running a Transport Team, Hotline, and Clinic team are 24 hours nonstop. This past summer I suffered 4 mini-strokes so that has been another adjustment in the recovery process. But the wildlife success stories of seeing an animal upon arrival suffering to rehabilitating them healthy a second chance at life in the wild makes up for it.

I have now a youth program that meets every month for Conservation Interest opening up new pathways, volunteers have been rewarded internships for college with Wild Souls being available located in rural counties that previously were not an option. And have reunited with Dept. of Conservation on an annual “shop with a Conservation Agent” a first in the state matching children (13) with agents across the state providing a rare opportunity to shop to help with hardship at Christmas also introducing quality time between a child and agent that previously did not exist.

We just completed our second annual event. Opening mentorships or relationships with conservation agents for future career paths.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the CEO Founder of Wild Souls I am also the only permitted rehabber at the rescue to administer medication. My professional background stems from marketing, housing to a complete change now since 2017 in the Nonprofit world along with Wildlife REhabilitation.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Constant education and networking. Aligning myself with mentors, listening, and applying new ideas ever-adapting.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: wildsoulswildliferescuerehab.org
• Instagram: @wildsoulswildlife
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsoulsrescueandrehab
• Other: paypal.me/wildsouls