By Kathleen Rafferty, College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2021
It’s November, and the holiday season is right around the corner. There are many things you can do to make your ecological footprint smaller this year! Here are just a few ideas:
Give a Gift of Meaning
In a world full of stuff, heartfelt gifts can take on a whole new dynamic. Instead of unwrapping presents, consider an experience (such as attending a concert, comedy show, or play), creating a holiday tradition (such as baking cookies, caroling, or volunteering in the community), or making a donation on behalf of your loved one. Many organizations, such as the Wildlife Medical Clinic, have opportunities to acknowledge the gift publicly or privately in order to cater to your specific needs. Sponsor-A-Day at the Wildlife Medical Clinic, for example, is a unique, eco-friendly way to celebrate a holiday, anniversary, or birthday.
![[feeding an orphaned squirrel]](https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlife/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/11/ht-nov19-squirrel-feeding.jpg)
For more information on how you can claim your day at the Wildlife Medical Clinic, visit us at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/6403802
For information on additional gift opportunities check out our website: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlife/giving/
The mornings begin early with tent and lab station set up and preparing for sample collection. When John’s trailer arrives, you can hear the dogs whine in excitement, knowing they are about to do their favorite job. Mr. Rucker attributes this excitement to the turtle dogs being the “super dogs” of the litter – “that’s why they have this degree of excitement, passion, and drive. It plays out in the field when you have a low density of turtles – they have to have that relentless drive.” 
