Workers at Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida save animals from flooding

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - When Janel Tomlinson finished the vet tech program at West Florida High School, she began her on-the-job training at the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida.

At first, it wasn’t exactly her cup of tea.

But now, seven years and thousands of animals later, it’s her life.

“People bring you hurt, injured animals, and you get to care for them and then release them back to the wild," Tomlinson said. "And it’s the best feeling in the world.”

The weekend of June 9 and 10 brought with it record-setting rain to Pensacola, and completely flooded the sanctuary.

“The water just would not stop," Tomlinson said.

Tomlinson was tasked with saving animals, yet again - this time from the elements.

“There was just two of us here when the whole building flooded, and we probably have a couple hundred animals here," Tomlinson said.

Wading in water more than five feet high, workers carried the birds in their cages over their heads, bringing them to safety.

“I guess in hindsight it should have been terrifying, but at that point it was just like, ‘These are our animals, we have to save them.’ They were soaking wet, they were angry, they did not appreciate being rescued, but we got everybody okay," Tomlinson said.

They were taken out of the sanctuary in boats, but three educational birds who couldn't fly didn’t make the trip.  Two hawks and an owl named Bailey died from the stress of the event.

“We know we did everything we could, but anytime you lose an animal - and I’ve worked here for 7 years - so your heart is really attached, that’s pretty hard," Tomlinson said.

Now, the sanctuary’s hospital and nursery remain open, and volunteers pour in to help.

“We’re not paying them; they just come in to care for the animals," Tomlinson said.

“Slowly, step by step, we’re putting it back together," said a volunteer.

The sanctuary doesn’t have the space to take donations right now, but welcomes money or gift cards.