Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network calling community to Wild Night Out

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network's annual fundraising benefit is returning for another year, and the organization is counting on the community for support. 

The organization will host its gala: Wild Night Out on Saturday from 5-9 p.m. to raise funds for the wildlife center to provide animal services year around. This is the center’s largest fundraising event of the year.

"The purpose of the event is to raise the generosity that we need to provide service 365 days of the year … to benefit our work to rescue rehabilitate and release wild animals into the wild," said executive director Ariana Katovich of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

"Proceeds go to the general operation, so that we can be open seven days a week ... rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife," said Katovich.

Board of directors and vice president Gretchen Lief of the organization knows all too well how their services are in high demand.

"Wildlife is so important ... to keep our wild creatures safe from us ... and from the world," said Lief.

Leaders at the wildlife center said they wouldn’t be able to do their work without the support of the community.

The wildlife center is the only nonprofit organization of its kind in the region.

"Our organization is unique because we’re the only wildlife rescue of all general animals in Santa Barbara and Ventura County ... we have a very large service area," said Katovich.

"I answer the rescue hotline ... we rescued a possum ... we rescued a little mature raccoon," said Lief.

The organization includes a state of the art hospital, veterinary care team, and more than 150 volunteers all working together to rescue thousands of animals every year. 

For more information visit: www.sbwcn.org.