Western Plains Animal Refuge

18/04/2025

PLEASE do not give rabbits as Easter gifts! We have seen over and over how people enjoy their rabbits for only days, weeks, or months before realizing the commitment it takes to properly care for them. Just look at all the rabbits needing homes in rescues, shelters, Facebook posts, and our streets. A stuffed animal is a much better choice for the bunny lover in your life! And if you do decide you want a rabbit after proper researching and planning, please do not buy one from a breeder or store! 🐰💕

Here are some important considerations:

- They are not good animals for young children. They can easily be hurt by each other—rabbits have very sensitive eyes and ears that can be accidentally damaged by even the sweetest children and are prone to defensive biting and kicking in stressful situations.

- Some rabbits live well over 10 years with proper care.

- Many veterinary clinics are not experienced with rabbits, which can be difficult for folks in our region. We have had trouble getting help with some of our rabbits in the past.

- Rabbits can be very clean animals, but they also require frequent cleaning.

- Rabbits frequently die from improper diets, and it is getting more expensive to feed them.

- The cages commonly found in most stores are not large enough for rabbits to live happy and healthy lives.

03/09/2024

‼️ Animal in need of transport! Please share! ‼️ We are desperately seeking a ride for a young turkey vulture from Hays to Operation Wildlife, which is near Lawrence. The poor vulture has a broken wing due to a utility cable that has claimed the lives of many birds already. We think there is a chance the vulture could survive the injury, but time is of the essence. We are hoping to find a ride on Wednesday. If you think you can help, please call or text Brendon at 785-259-3675.

28/05/2024

We had the privilege of releasing this American white pelican today! We worked with Carrie's Rehab Critters to help the poor bird who was found on the ground outside of Russell following the recent bad weather. Thankfully, the pelican did not have any broken bones or major injuries and just needed some time to recuperate with Carrie. We hope all goes well for the feisty pelican!

14/05/2024

‼️ Due to the overwhelming needs of wildlife and the general lack of rehabilitators in our part of the state, we are not accepting new domestic animals so that we can focus on our wildlife rehabilitation work. ‼️ This was a difficult decision for us to make, but our all-volunteer team must limit our intakes in order to properly care for our animals. As always, we will still accept previously adopted animals who need to be returned. We appreciate your patience and support. You can always contact Brendon at 785-259-3675.

07/05/2024

We are happy to report that Echo is doing well! His foster mom reports that he is very spoiled. Thank you to everyone who helped save his life by donating! 💙💚💛

03/04/2024

💙💚💛 Echo is back home and doing well! 💙💚💛 We are very grateful to report that the handsome boy is resting with his feline siblings and has felt good enough to purr again! We are also certain that we would have lost him had it not been for the loving care of his foster mom and veterinary caregivers. After hours of breathing difficulty, he went back to the clinic last night and was X-rayed, which revealed he was struggling with edema. It seems he was not processing the fluids he received as fast as he should. After being treated for this and started on another antibiotic, he went home for the night. He then had a follow up appointment this afternoon that went very well. His glucose level returned to where it should be, and he is back on his insulin. While this scary turn of events is not fully understood, we believe that the infection he developed just hit him extra hard because of his age and diabetes. We are hopeful that he will make a full recovery and be back to his normal self soon. Thank you, again, for all of the donations to support his medical care! We could not help animals like Echo without your contributions!

02/04/2024

❤️ Our sweet Echo is still having a rough time and needs loving thoughts… ❤️ After being kept overnight with fluid support, he was diagnosed with a minor infection and started on an antibiotic. He seemed to be doing well, so he was released him to his foster mom this afternoon to go home to recover. However, his foster mom noticed his breathing was off after picking him up and has observed it worsen through the evening. It is clear he is not feeling well, and we have consulted with one of his veterinarians regarding another emergency appointment. We have decided to monitor him through the night and wait to bring him in until tomorrow if possible. We prefer that he stays at home under the watch of his foster mom rather than alone at the clinic. He has been such a healthy cat despite his age and diabetes, so we want to give him the best opportunity to fight whatever is going on right now. We could really use donations, though, as his current bill is over $500. If you can assist us, we would deeply appreciate it. You can donate through this post, PayPal (paypal.me/wesplaaniref), and Venmo (-animalrefuge).

31/03/2024

UPDATE: Echo is stable and being kept at a clinic overnight with supportive care. His glucose was majorly low and his frucostamine was high, which does not fit with his consistent values and recent eating. We are going to try diagnosing the root cause once we can get samples from the poor guy. Please keep him in your thoughts. And to all of the donors, thank you for your support! ❤️

A happy holiday at one of our foster homes has been cut short—Echo has taken a sudden turn for the worse and needs emergency veterinary care. Despite being a diabetic senior, he has been a pretty healthy boy with only occasional issues. And then without warning this afternoon, he lost his continence and is not feeling well at all. We are hoping for the best, but will not know more until he is seen by a veterinarian. Unfortunately, we are looking at the cost of a weekend emergency appointment on a holiday, so if you can help us with his medical costs, we would deeply appreciate it. You can contribute through this post, PayPal (paypal.me/wesplaaniref), or Venmo (-animalrefuge). 💙💚💛

13/02/2024

‼️ Emergency! ‼️ Multiple cats are in need of rescue before they get euthanized! Please visit the Wichita Shelter Cats Needing Immediate Help page and do what you can to help—share, donate, foster, and adopt!

✳️✳️SAFE!- Thanks to Nine Lives Cat Rescue and Adoption Center✳️✳️
🚨🚨DEADLINE 2/13/24 BY 6PM!!🚨🚨
Nervous grey tabby in dire need of patience

🆘❌A164090-DIRECT ADOPT/RESCUE PULL❌🆘

This beautiful scared kitty, unknown gender or age is shut down. Poor thing will need a patient adopter or rescue to let them come out of their shells. Cat is not aggressive, more avoidant, and hesitant to allow pets. It is just very scared and doesn't know what to think. Anyone willing to let this poor soul let down its four walls and show them what a loving home consistent of, please follow the instructions below to save their life.
———————————————————-----------
★ WICHITA ANIMAL SHELTER★
Address: 3303 N Hillside
Wichita, KS
Phone: (316) 524-9196 ext. 207
Email: [email protected] (RESCUES ONLY FOR EMAILS)
DIRECTIONS TO ADOPT:
Direct Adopter:
**LOCAL-
Direct adopters who are local and live in close proximity to Wichita, KS need to go to the Kansas Humane Society which is next door to the shelter in person.
**OUT OF TOWN-
If you live out of town or state, please do not drive to the place.
Please call (316) 524-9196 ext. 207 to place a hold, leave a message if no answer so your call can be returned.
You can call (316) 524-9196 ext. 207 to place a hold, leave a message if not open or no answer so that your call can be returned. We also request you remain persistent to place a hold on an animal on this page.
**It’s a $50 hold fee for a direct adopter and that covers the fees to get the cat out and safe. The fee also includes some basic vetting for the kitty including neutered/spay, microchip, dewormer, basic immunizations, and flea/tick medicine.
Cats/Kittens must be OVER 2lbs and not carry any infectious disease per the Kansas Board of Agriculture. (Cats younger than 6 months are subject to an additional $25 at pickup)
*** These cats are not in our care and are currently in the possession of the Wichita Animal Shelter. We are a group of rescue volunteers trying to network and expose these lives at risk to help get them to safety. We are not affiliated with the Wichita Animal Shelter and are allowed to evaluate these cats in need to help find placement. We do this as a courtesy to the cats, the public, and humanity.

17/01/2024

This poor girl has passed her deadline and desperately needs to be saved! She is available for direct adoption, and she is not alone. Please visit the Wichita Shelter Cats Needing Immediate Help page and do what you can to help—share, donate, foster, and adopt!

16/01/2024

This winter has been our busiest time ever for bats! We currently have seven of the flying mammals staying with us until the weather warms up. While all of these bats likely did require human intervention, not all bats you encounter in winter do. Most of our current bats are big brown bats, including the one pictured here, and they are one of the most common species in Kansas. While they do hibernate from fall to spring, they can become active to seek water or move to different roosts. If you see an active bat on a warmer winter day, it is likely that they should be left alone. However, we do reccomend contacting us or another licensed rehabilitator when you find bats in open locations during bad weather, such as the bat in this picture, or if they end up in trouble while seeking shelter in buildings, like one of our bats who was found in a kitchen sink. If you find a bat and would like some advice, you can reach us at 785-259-3675.

23/10/2023

Mutts and Monsters: PAWS was a blast! Thank you to all of the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make it such a great event! We especially enjoyed the adorable pups and creative costumes! 🎃

21/10/2023

We will see you at Mutts and Monsters: PAWS tomorrow morning! It is going to be a beautiful day! 🎃

17/10/2023

Mutts and Monsters: PAWS is just days away now, and it looks like it will be a beautiful day! If you have not registered, you can still do so online or at the event! 🎃

10/10/2023

Mutts and Monsters: PAWS is less than two weeks away! Do you have your costume picked out?! 🛟🦈⛱

07/10/2023

Did you know that you can help us just by shopping at Dillons through their Community Rewards program? If you have not joined, the process is very simple! First, go to the Dillons website (dillons.com). Then select go to the Dillons Community Rewards page, which can be found under the Community heading. Next, you will need to sign into your account or make a new one. Finally, you can add us to your account by searching for "Western Plains Animal Refuge" or our code, FA369. This is a great way to help support us just by shopping normally!

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04/10/2023

This poor guy is in need of rescue, and there are multiple other cats who are also in danger of being euthanized. Please visit the Wichita Shelter Cats Needing Immediate Help page and do what you can to help—share, donate, foster, and adopt!

03/10/2023

Regardless of whether or not you actually participate in the Mutts and Monsters: PAWS 5K, the shirts are too cute to miss out on this year! They feature adorable artwork by Jenna Pierson and are available in sizes S through 4XL. All sizes come in a light blue tie-dye style except for 4XL, which comes in a solid light blue style. You automatically get a shirt when you register for the event, and you can also get one for $20 by ordering it without having to participate. Just click on “Tickets” on the event page to be taken to Eventbrite to make your selections. And be sure to order yours by noon on this Wednesday, October 4, to get yours at the event!