The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for sick and injured birds, came close to shutting down because of lack of donations due to the economic downturn this summer but donations saved the day.

Monthly income plummeted from $36,530 in August to $9,205 in September. Thankfully, publicity about the plight of the centre, attracted donations. A local newspaper published an article about the problems facing the centre, triggering nearly $25,000 in donations, enough to keep the centre afloat.

The centre continues to need donations to operate the place that Laura Quinn, the founder, a retired teacher, began almost 20 years ago. The centre treats and releases about 700 birds a year and permanently cares for about 90 birds that can't survive in the wild as well as providing daily feedings for wild birds in the area.

Ms Quinn had also taken out a reverse mortgage on her home - she lives on the 5.5-acre property that also houses the centre - to pay off a $90,000 debt for repairs to the centre following Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Her only interest in birds 25 years ago was carving them from wood. After visiting Foley's veterinarian practice to look at his birds for structure details, she became interested in rehabilitation. She moved to Plantation Key, got permits and founded the bird centre at her home.

The centre has a $350,000 annual budget with a staff of four paid employees. Its primary purpose is to provide emergency and recuperative care for injured birds but it is slowly evolving into a significant collection and distribution point for information about the environment.