Carolina Wildlife Care in Columbia is preparing for its annual wildlife baby shower and open house that allows the public a extraordinary glimpse into what the wildlife care facility is all about.

Carolina Wildlife Care, a hospital and rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife will hold the open house on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, April 26 from 1 pm to 4 pm. The cost of admission is a gift from the center's wish list (www.carolinawildlife.org) or a cash donation. All donations are tax- deductible.

Normally, Carolina Wildlife Care is closed to the public. But, the facility opens its doors for one weekend each spring so visitors can take a behind- the- scenes tour and watch as staff and volunteers feed and care for orphaned wildlife. Also featured are children's activities, wildlife programs, and many of the center's non- releasable Wildlife Ambassadors.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, over 43,000 wildlife patients have been brought to Car- olina Wildlife Care — ranging from chickadees to fawns — with approximately 3,000 admitted each year. During the open house, visitors can see the center's main rehabilitation areas, visit the treatment and isolation rooms, and learn all that goes into caring for nature's own.

Sleeping raccoons A private Breakfast with the Birds is being held from 8:30 to 10 am Saturday morning. Breakfast guests will enjoy a light breakfast of tasty temptations while touring the center before it opens to the public. Cost is a $20 donation per person and space is limited.

"The goal of the center is to restore the balance between humans and wildlife by returning as many of our patients as possible to the wild. At the wildlife center, we know that for most of these animals, we are their last chance," said Carolina Wildlife Care Executive Director Joanna Weitzel.

For more information, visit carolinawildlife.org. For reservations at Breakfast with the Birds, call (803-772-3994), reserve online, or e- mail carolinawildlifecare@ sc.rr.com.