Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Receives $25,000 Grant for Lifesaving Wildlife Medical Equipment

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a renowned nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and protection of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources, is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Foxwynd Foundation to support the purchase of critical medical equipment for its wildlife hospital, enhancing lifesaving care for native wildlife.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary admits over 5,000 patients each year. Its veterinary team evaluates, treats and rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning these animals back to their natural habitats. Animals unable to be released receive permanent sanctuary at the nonprofit’s 20-acre Jupiter Farms facility and lifelong care under expert veterinary and husbandry standards.

The Foxwynd Foundation grant will help fund specialized equipment, including small and large animal anesthesia ventilators, a sevoflurane vaporizer, a digital radiography system and a portable X-ray unit. The new equipment will improve patient safety, increase diagnostic capabilities and reduce the need to transport large or high-risk animals for imaging.

Currently, staff must manually ventilate some animals during procedures, occasionally for up to two hours. Automated ventilators will provide more consistent care while allowing veterinary staff to focus on other critical needs. The digital radiography system will provide high-resolution imaging for small and sensitive patients, including bats and hummingbirds, while the portable X-ray unit will allow staff to safely image larger animals such as alligators, bobcats, deer and bears.

“This grant represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of the wildlife entrusted to our care,” said Amy Kight, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re grateful for the Foxwynd Foundation’s support, which will help us provide more efficient, precise and low-stress medical treatment while giving our patients the best possible chance to return to the wild.”

Moreover, The Sanctuary’s mission extends beyond wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, with environmental education programs reaching more than 125,000 students and individuals annually and inspiring the community to become responsible stewards of the natural world.

The grant supports a shared commitment between the Foxwynd Foundation and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to promote environmental sustainability, wildlife conservation and the highest standards of animal welfare.

“Protecting wildlife means being prepared to provide the care animals need when they are injured, sick, or vulnerable,” said Pamela Villagra, the Foxwynd Foundation’s Executive Director. “Having the right resources available can make a meaningful difference in their recovery and give more animals the opportunity to safely return to their natural habitats.”

As part of the grant partnership, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will seek to match the $25,000 investment through its Giving Tuesday campaign on December 1, 2026. This community match will provide an opportunity for individuals, families and supporters to help build upon Foxwynd Foundation’s generosity and further equip the Sanctuary’s wildlife hospital.

The Foxwynd Foundation DAF funded the Foxwynd Foundation’s generous donation to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at Abramson & Schlaggar Reserve

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at the Abramson & Schlaggar Reserve is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. Founded in 1983, the Sanctuary protects and restores native wildlife for the benefit of its unique animals, environment, and people. Our goal is to inspire and educate the community in leading local conservation and wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts. To learn about Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, visit www.buschwildlife.org Nurture What’s Wild.

###