Internet Use Helps Rehabilitate Local Wildlife

Imagine every time you did a search on the internet you helped an injured wildling. Sounds too good to be true, but it is true. With each search you make on GoodSearch.com , one cent goes to a registered school or nonprofit, one of which is Wildlife Works Inc., a local wildlife rehabilitation organization.

It may not sound like much, but those pennies add up quickly. 'With 50 individuals doing five searches/day for a year, we can raise nearly $1,000,' stated Beth Shoaf, senior rehabilitator of WWI. WWI volunteers have treated more than 7,200 wildlings since its inception in 1993. With an average release rate of 56%, well above the national average, more than 4,000 wildlings have been released locally.

For WWI every penny counts. Volunteers puts a lot of effort into raising funds ' dances, ticket sales, walks, mail appeals, newsletters, and speaking engagements. 'It's hard work, and much of the work falls on already over-worked animal care volunteers,' shares Shoaf. 'Raising money without spending a cent or a minute of effort is just mind boggling. All we need to do is get the word out.'

'The good thing about Goodsearch is you don't have to sacrifice service for charity,' explains Shoaf. GoodSearch.com is powered by Yahoo! and raises money for charities using a model similar to paid searches on Yahoo or Google: Advertisers pay a fee whenever Internet users click on a given link. According to Fortune Small Business, last year search engines generated almost $6 billion through such searches.

Search engines reportedly collect up to $50 each time somebody clicks on an ad next to the search results ' sometimes more. Only a few 'searchers' actually click on an advertisement and thus generate income for the site. GoodSearch averages only about two cents in revenue for each search conducted and donates half to charity.

GoodSearch was founded by Internet gurus Ken Ramberg and his sister, JJ. When their mother struggled with cancer they saw the need health organizations had for funds to continue their research. They combined their professional experience with the need and came up with GoodSearch.com.

GoodSearch users need not worry about the site collecting potentially sensitive information about their charitable endeavors, because the company does not require users to register or otherwise identify themselves.
Wildlife Works Inc. is asking everyone who values local wildlife to use GoodSearch.com as their default search engine with the selection of Wildlife Works (Youngwood). The goal is $1000 this year but could be much more depending upon the public's response. 'It's a great fundraiser. People can give just by changing a default on their computers,' adds Shoaf.

WWI is also in need of animal care volunteers. Animal care volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, receive a minimum of 16 hours of training, and commit to a four hour shift each week. For more info, call 724-925-6862.