Sandy Doolittle, President
I have been a volunteer for Bidwell Wildlife since 1974 and hold the CDFW permit in my name. I have worked with almost every species that we have received over the years. My favorites are foxes, fawns, opossums and barn owls!
I lost my home and all my wildlife enclosures and supplies in the 2018 Camp Fire. I have plans to rebuild aviaries and enclosures once my house has been completed. My current living arrangements only allow an incubator and neonates. I have managed a veterinary hospital and have a 30+ year working relationship with our veterinarian to ensure wilds are cared for properly and humanely.
I lost my home and all my wildlife enclosures and supplies in the 2018 Camp Fire. I have plans to rebuild aviaries and enclosures once my house has been completed. My current living arrangements only allow an incubator and neonates. I have managed a veterinary hospital and have a 30+ year working relationship with our veterinarian to ensure wilds are cared for properly and humanely.
Dede Sterling
Shelly Rogers
Hi! I've been a volunteer for Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation since 2018, and I've been on the BWR board since 2019. I'm also a volunteer and board member for Friends of the Chico Animal Shelter and Neighborhood Cat Advocates. I work full time for a local public utility, and when I'm not working you can usually find me with animals, trapping feral cats for spay/neuter, cleaning cages, scooping litter boxes, or out picking up litter.
I'm currently the mammal intake volunteer. My favorite critters are opossums. I usually has one or two foster dogs and kittens running around in addition to the mammals that I house while they are waiting to move on to another rehabber.
I'm currently the mammal intake volunteer. My favorite critters are opossums. I usually has one or two foster dogs and kittens running around in addition to the mammals that I house while they are waiting to move on to another rehabber.
Melanie Whelchel
I was born and raised in Chico, though I did leave the area for a couple of years to attend grad school out of state. I returned to Chico in 2010 because I wanted to be back closer to family.
I have been volunteering with Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation for the past 3 years and absolutely enjoy getting to help the animals in need and be able to release them back to the life they are supposed to have out in the wild. I have a huge love for animals, all kinds of them! When I am not caring for cute little critters, I tend to still stay pretty busy. I am a single mom to an amazing son. I work full time as a mental health clinician, providing therapy to children throughout Butte County. And I am usually crafting, baking, traveling, or playing with my own cute critters - Susanna the dog, Caterpillar the cat, and Big Buns the rabbit.
I have been volunteering with Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation for the past 3 years and absolutely enjoy getting to help the animals in need and be able to release them back to the life they are supposed to have out in the wild. I have a huge love for animals, all kinds of them! When I am not caring for cute little critters, I tend to still stay pretty busy. I am a single mom to an amazing son. I work full time as a mental health clinician, providing therapy to children throughout Butte County. And I am usually crafting, baking, traveling, or playing with my own cute critters - Susanna the dog, Caterpillar the cat, and Big Buns the rabbit.