STAFF FEATURE

Meet Jessica Ferrigno! One of SFWC's passionate and dedicated team members. You will typically find her in the nursery caring for our smallest rehabilitating patients, while mentoring interns and volunteers on the work that goes into properly raising wildlife babies in human care.

When did you first start volunteering/working for SFWC?

I started as a rotational intern at the center in February 2021. After my internship ended, I joined the team as a staff member in May.

What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of the job is getting to work hands-on with all the animals and all the different species we see. I enjoy learning how to care for each one and the specific needs for each species, which is information that I can refer to in the future.

Do you feel like your role plays a part in SFWC’s mission?

For sure! When I’m in the nursery, I work in every row or every area that we have, the raccoons, the mammals, the birds. In the off season, I help the Rehab Department and the Clinic with what they need. I enjoy that I get to play a part in every place in the center and help in every way that I can.

Fun fact about you.

I like to do diamond paintings, similar to paint by numbers but with diamonds instead. I also enjoy cosmetology type things, like hair dying and getting my nails done.

What do you look forward to in your future career?

I am getting experience so I can go to vet school. I really like the wildlife and animal career path which is not something I would have thought I could do without this position. I want to pursue a wildlife veterinary career because I enjoy working with all the different types of animals we see here at SFWC.

What is your favorite patient story?

When I first started, I got to foster a group of seven opossums. I had them for a week or so during Thanksgiving. My family was there when I was caring for them. When they were old enough to leave nursery, I got to take them over to the Rehab Department for the next part of the rehabilitation process. They were able to record their release for me, so I got to see the video of them get released as well. It was truly special.