Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Shuff.
Hi Erika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 84-5037328) working to rehabilitate and release orphaned, sick, and injured whitetail fawns in South Carolina. We support the SC Department of Natural Resources Deer Project.
I started out training with Magnolia Fawn Rescue of Gray Court, SC. Once I finished my training, I applied to be a deer rehabilitator with DNR. The first year I took on about 10 fawns and each year since 15-20 fawns.
I am passionate about wildlife conservation and advocating for better wildlife protection laws in the state.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The lack of wildlife protection laws in the state is difficult. There is very little protection for fawns. It is too easy for someone to become a rehabber and take advantage of the public generosity.
Additionally, the public with the best intentions still take fawn from their mothers and keep them for days before calling us. This makes it very difficult to keep the fawn from dying for various reasons.
While it’s illegal to keep fawns as pets, hundreds of people do every year, and very few receive fines. Then the deer must be put down or sanctuaries, and we are running out of sanctuary room.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in manufacturing maintenance reliability as an operations manager. I am one of the only women in operations at our company.
What’s next?
Expand the rescue. Add more capacity for fawns.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.hickoryhavenfawnrescue.com
- Instagram: @hickoryhavenfawnrescue
- Facebook: @hickoryhavenfawnrescue
