TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - Injured and abandoned animals will continue to get a second chance at life now that Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab has moved to a new location in Tifton.

Expanded services at the new location are helping wildlife recover, but the center still needs more helping hands to keep the mission alive.

Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab said they care for about 100 animals at a time, including those in its special NICU for injured newborns.

Jessica Pisciotta, founder and one of few fully licensed rehabbers in Georgia, said the work demands nonstop dedication.

“24 hours, 7 days a week, no vacations,” she said. “It’s something you have to have passion to do, or there is no way you can continue to do it. It’s long hours, sleepless nights, blood, sweat and tears.”

The center only has three consistent volunteers, which means just six hands on deck. Pisciotta had to relocate her operation due to Tifton city ordinances. Despite the move, she said there’s still work ahead.

“Everything that we had built for over 20 years and then just starting new and completely building up… It’s definitely taken a toll on us, but we are doing it,” Pisciotta said.

Steadfast Wildlife cares for animals like Pineapple — a Mississippi kite who was knocked from his nest in a Valdosta storm.

Volunteers like Sherry Sabatino travel to South Georgia from Pennsylvania to lend a hand after finding Pisciotta on TikTok. Sabatino is on her sixth visit and said it’s fun despite the challenges. She said releasing the animals is tough, but nursing them back to health helps keep the ecosystem in balance.

“Animals need our help,” Sabatino said. “Without the rescues, our animals are not going to survive. That is a way of life. It is a part of our ecosystem. It’s part of life… If you can volunteer, do it. It is well worth it and very rewarding.”

Since relocating, Pisciotta has been served with a court date for Aug. 27 about her relocation.

If you would like to donate or learn more about Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, click here.

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