We caught up with the brilliant and insightful APRIL HOFFMAN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi APRIL, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting a Nonprofit, soley operated from donation to save wildlife was a risk in itself leaving from a 9-5 career I prviously held. To say I jumped in head first would be an understatement at the very least. Especially whe I came across 1 squirrel that made me build the 2 nonprofits I currently founded and operate . Saving / Rehabilitationg an average of 800 animals a year. The risk was not only financial but the risk in the sacrifice of family, friends, time invested as a risk to soley focus on Wild Souls. This is a 365 day work. The risk of coming back and recovering from 4 mini strokes, heart surgery in year 3 was risking my mentality, physical recovery while doing what I love was a risk to continue. I face risk every hour. Wheyher it be to stress of wild animal living or dieing, the stress of that, volunteers safety, keeping the doors open to provide the public service to the entire state of Missouri. Has the risks beenworth it? Absolutely yes

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I came across a baby squirel. My experince in the helplessness and panic with the public I can relate too. When I experienced that and had no where to go with that animal, it catapulted me to provide that service. For the next 3 years I volunteered, I flew around the country attending Universities providing symposiums, accredited class to educate my self, receive the credentials to be a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. While traveling I was inspired, I saw an opportunity for Missouri to be greater than we have been operating, and I had to share it with everyone, there was no stopping me. I often questioned “why havent I ever heard of this or that” to realize thats the problem many people didnt know and its one little corner in my world that could brighten others. After 1 year I found this need for the public was much greater than I alone could provide quality care to animals in the large need, I formed the Nonprofit, aligned with other rescues, conservation groups and I continued to be more inspired of the intelligent people I was being introduced too. That not only providing a safe place for wildlife that have been injured or orphaned, but it took me another step further. The younger generation needs encouragemnet to be in Nature, whether that be internships here at Wild Souls or through partnerships that were formed to catapult future interests, employment, careers in conversations through this platform I had obtained through Wild Souls. Bringing affiliations together from all aspects of theor interests for a common goal of a better future collectively. Wild Souls now has the ONLY “shop with a conservation agent” in the state opening mentorships with agents, fishing line recycle programs to better our enviorment, all from one squirrel .. and the motivation to prove people wrong that this was a much needed need. We have been awarded Conservation Organization of the year .. What I would like

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My resilence.. could be seen as stubborness.. 2022 I had 4 ministrokes requiring heart surgery. My comprhension and verbal communication ws a challenge, 3 sylable words.. a year later I am just now able to sing a song by memory.. I had alot of people and animals that counted on me. After years of building up Wild souls it wasnt an option to quit, although that would of been the easiest to do.. My team f volunteers were patient with me, told me to take time when they could see my brain stalling when speaking. My resilence was for all that. To keep moving, to keep educatng, to keep believing in the wonderful volunteers that unselfishly give theor time for the mission of Wild Souls, to stay the course, to lean on each other stronger than ever. That was my resilence

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Wild Souls has went viral a few times. That has helped grow our audience 98% of our funding comes directly from social media. Social media is a beast of its own. You have to dedicate everyday to it. With it being our donors I want them to know exactly where theor donation goes to and what a huge difference it makes. Without them Wild Souls wouldnt be here.

Contact Info:

• Website: wildsoulswildliferescuerehab.org
• Instagram: wildsoulswildlife
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsoulsrescueandrehab
• Youtube: wildsoulswildlife

Image Credits
Wild Souls Wildlife REscue Rehabilitation