Sitting by the side of the road, a baby raccoon peers over a small clump of dirt. Fearfully eyeing the monstrous machines zooming by, with their occupants oblivious to the tiny, orphaned cub, confusion reigns, and hope seems too far away to be real. In this instance, however, safety is only a few miles and a car ride away in rural Essex County, Virginia, at the headquarters of Maleena’s Wildlife Rescue, where Sharon O’Neal has created a haven for little ones to grow, thrive and, eventually, be released.
Nestled in Dunnville, just east of Tappahannock on the Middle Peninsula, Maleena’s plays a crucial role in the region, serving as a vital lifeline for injured and orphaned animals while promoting responsible wildlife stewardship. In areas where natural habitats often overlap with agricultural and urban developments, the organization addresses challenges posed by habitat loss, vehicle collisions and human-wildlife conflicts. By rehabilitating animals and educating communities about wildlife conservation, O’Neal not only safeguards local ecosystems but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world outside our doors.
As the only registered wildlife rehabilitation center in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, O’Neal is certainly busy. The work she is doing is more than just a passion or calling; it has become a critical service that saves hundreds of animals every year - and it all started with a baby raccoon.
“It was back in 2020, when everything seemed to be going crazy. My daughter had moved out, and my dog, Maleena, who was my best buddy and also like a child to me, passed away. Within six months, both of my children had left, and I didn’t know what to do with myself,” O’Neal said, adding that becoming empty nesters so fast was not part of her or her husband’s plans.
“I love animals. I had been researching wildlife when I realized there wasn’t a single rehabber covering our area,” O’Neal explained. “I started learning what I needed to do to get my permit and fill that need in the community. A few weeks after receiving my permit my husband found an itty-bitty raccoon at work, and that is how it all started.”
O’Neal knew then that fate had come knocking, and Maleena’s Wildlife Rescue was born, named in honor of her special-needs dog who was so close to her heart. In Virginia, there are multiple avenues of focus for rehabbers. O’Neal decided that the baby raccoon was leading her toward mammals, as opposed to birds, which require different licensing and education.
“That first raccoon sealed the deal. His name was Babu. He was our first rescue,” O’Neal said, noting that he was released several years ago. She now has roughly five undisclosed release areas where animals ready to be reintroduced to the wild are set free. They are safe locations with optimal conditions for any animal to thrive.

At the core of wildlife rescue organizations like Maleena’s is a commitment to animal welfare. O’Neal’s goal is to provide immediate care and rehabilitation for injured or orphaned wildlife, ensuring that animals receive the medical attention they need to recover. From foxes caught in traps to squirrels with injured legs, O’Neal often serves as the most critical point of contact for animals in distress.
“The first thing I do is examine the animal to see if it is sick, injured, or both. Then I weigh it and take its temperature. It’s pretty much like triage for humans when we go to the ER” O’Neal said. “For anything requiring antibiotics or pain medication, I must contact my wildlife veterinarian.”
For O’Neal and other rehabbers like her, the road to helping these animals and becoming registered is long and arduous. In addition to comprehensive education on the care of various animals and having to be rabies vaccinated, it is mandatory to serve two years under the sponsorship of an already-established professional before being able to care for an injured or orphaned animal directly. With so few sponsors available, O’Neal was fortunate to find a mentor in Hanover who took her under his wing. Additionally, continued education and strict adherence to regulations are required.
“The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has a thick book of regulations that I make sure to follow to the letter.” O’Neal said. “There are so many regulations, from cage dimensions to proper transportation and aftercare, but the rules are there for a specific reason.”
O’Neal warned that there can be dire consequences when unregistered or untrained individuals or groups attempt to save animals especially those that fall under the rabies vector species (raccoons, foxes, skunks, groundhogs, beavers, and bats). With the popularity of posting pictures of animals, the DWR closely monitors social media. If an animal is not cared for, transported, or handled correctly and safely, according to the law, it could be euthanized.
Very proactive in her approach, O’Neal ensures that the animal in her care has every opportunity for the best possible outcome. She uses a team of dedicated transporters who are well-versed in the precautions necessary for handling wildlife. She also provides specific instructions for initial animal contact and care to anyone in the public who reaches out.
“If you find an orphaned or injured wildlife animal, please do not give it anything to eat or drink. Oftentimes, this can do more harm than good. Call me, or another licensed wildlife rehabilitator, immediately. While you’re waiting for help, keep the animal safely secured and warm as these are the most vital factors in helping to save its life.”
O’Neal has three volunteers helping her— Rachel Haynie from Richmond County, Madison Hensley a Virginia Tech student from Dunnsville, and Heather Scott from Essex County.
She admits that she needs all the help she can get, especially during the busy season when the babies start coming in.
“From around April to July, I don’t usually leave the property. I am here 24/7,” she said, adding that despite the species, all the babies are bottle-fed and are typically on a three-hour schedule.
“It’s a non-stop cycle of feeding. I don’t leave home once I have 15 to 20 babies. I also don’t sleep more than three hours a night and that’s from May through July,” O’Neal said.
While it may be exhausting and taxing, it is all worth it. In fact, the experience that has moved her the most as a rehabber has to do with babies, and once again, it involves a raccoon!
“Earlier this year, I had a pregnant raccoon brought to me from an area where it wasn’t safe. Four or five days later, I watched this mother raccoon give birth,” O’Neal said, adding that the process gave her goosebumps as two little girls and two little boys were born.
“They had this incredible connection. The mother would lay on her back, and while they nursed, she would stroke their heads. When they were done, she would pull them close, tucking them up with her. She would snuggle with them and nibble on their necks like little kisses or love bites,” she said, noting that they all left together when the time was right.
It was touching not only as a woman and a mom but also as a human. Witnessing such purity in animals many people consider nuisances left a deep impression on her.
“It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. They know what love is. That will forever stick with me.”
Wildlife rescue organizations play a vital educational role within their communities. They raise awareness about the importance of local wildlife and the challenges they face.
O’Neal has spoken at high schools, colleges and local organizations like the Tappahannock Moose Lodge. She is currently in the process of becoming fully accredited to use rehab animals as educational tools, which will be a huge boon to the region.
While this community work is crucial, it is also extraordinarily expensive.
Many rescuers use generic milk for all the critters. At Maleena’s, O’Neal uses species-specific formulas, each as close to the mother’s natural milk as possible, which helps the babies grow and return to their natural habitat more quickly. In addition to feeding, housing for the animals is also essential. O’Neal has set up special outbuildings that are climate-controlled with heating and air conditioning.
“It is extremely costly, but the better you feed and house them, the healthier they are,” O’Neal said. Maleena’s Wildlife Rescue is more than a full-time operation and her amazing, supportive husband has taken a second job to help keep the operation going.
O’Neal sets up booths at various festivals and events where she sells a multitude of wildlife-related goods, including tumblers, pillowcases, tote bags, bookmarks, magnets, purses, dishes, decorations, and wood crafts that help support her operations.
“I make many of the wood crafts myself from November to March, when I have fewer animals and more time for crafting,” she said, noting that friend and supporter Ashley Wallace, proprietor of Bespelled By Design - a local company specializing in illustration and bespoke printing - produces the other items which feature the various wildlife she regularly rescues, from foxes and raccoons to squirrels and possums.
“My biggest challenge is funding,” O’Neal said. “I am only one person, and I don’t have enough time to raise as much money as I’d like because of how much time the animals require. I am using the funding I have, but at times, it comes out of our pockets.”
Despite the struggles, both for donations and her sanity during the busy season, O’Neal said she wouldn’t trade her job for anything, as it has deepened her connection with nature and the world around her.
Every rescued animal has the potential to inspire change, whether through educational outreach, community engagement, or successful rehabilitation efforts that serve as case studies for other regions. The grassroots movements sparked by organizations like Maleena’s Wildlife Rescue can inspire similar initiatives in neighboring towns or cities, creating a ripple effect of awareness and action that benefits wildlife on a larger scale. It goes to show that local actions can have global significance.
The demand for wildlife rescue services, fueled by increasing human-wildlife conflicts and habitat loss, is only expected to grow as the region becomes more populated.
Currently, O’Neal is putting the finishing touches on her new website, which should launch by the end of the year. Information about the organization, operations, and donation opportunities will soon be just a click away at maleenaswildliferescue.org. Until then, their Facebook page (Maleena’s Wildlife Rescue) is the best way to stay updated on the organization’s latest news and wildlife rescue efforts.
If you have the heart to help animals in need with a donation, have encountered an animal in peril, or just want information on how to be a better friend to local wildlife, O’Neal welcomes calls to her cell at (804) 366-7120 or by email at Maleenaswildliferescue@gmail.com.