… he was just humming along and heard that there’s still time to register for W.E.R.C.’s BIG BASH to celebrate the FIRST BIRTHDAY of Luna, the Great Horned Owl!
Come meet Luna and her animal friends and the folks of W.E.R.C. Saturday, April 4, 1 to 3 p.m. Cake, refreshments, fun games and special goody bags for all!
It’s a free, fantastical and fun fete for the family! Full details at W.E.R.C.’s website, www.werc-ca.org.
By Colleen Grzan, werc@werc-ca.org
Are you excited by the prospect of rehabilitating injured or orphaned native wild animals? A wide variety of volunteer opportunities are available at the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (W.E.R.C.), especially during spring and early summer “baby season” when orphaned birds and mammals need frequent hand-feeding throughout the day. You will be trained to care for such wildlife as hummingbirds, killdeer, scrub jays, red-tailed hawks, great-horned owls, golden eagles, turtles, king snakes, brush rabbits, weasels, opossums, and bobcats, just to name a few of the creatures that we have treated in the past.
Photo caption: W.E.R.C. volunteer Mike Dickey gives Turkey Vulture “Pacheco” some pointers on flying during a creance exercise.
By Colleen Grzan, werc@werc-ca.org
Two years ago, Pacheco was found injured by the side of Highway 152 and brought to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center. X-rays showed that he had two old wing fractures, which had healed improperly and caused the bone to bend, hindering his ability to fly. Corrective surgery in November 2007 gave Pacheco a 60 percent chance of being released – W.E.R.C.’s primary objective. His recovery was complicated and long-term, but Pacheco can now fly from end to end of his 100-foot flight enclosure.
By Colleen Grzan, werc@wer-ca.org
People who have rescued injured wildlife in their yards and fields and brought them to W.E.R.C. often tell us how anxious they are to have the rehabilitated animals released back to their property because these hawks, owls, gopher snakes, and kingsnakes – just to name a few – are some of the native wild animals that provide them with natural, “environmentally-safe” – and free – rodent, gopher, and rattlesnake control.
Other reasons to use these natural methods of pest control instead of chemicals (poisons):
The medical record told me that my next patient had been losing fur for a while. It was a bunny rabbit, unknown breed, and the owners had just found it near a golf course. They were a young family with small children. I walked into the exam room thinking, “Man, I hope this isn’t ringworm or some contagious skin mite. If so, the kids might catch it. What a mess that would be!”
The owner told me this little rabbit had lost a lot of fur since she found it romping around the open field. She told me to look in the box where the bunny slept. Sure enough, there was plenty of fur….and 5 other little surprises. Five baby bunnies were asleep under all that hair that their momma had pulled to make their nest.
Life is full of surprises, and some of the littlest ones are the most exciting!
By Colleen Grzan
The birthday girl’s story: In April 2008, a helpless baby great horned owl was discovered lying on the ground in southern California. As the owl grew, her caretakers at the Ojai Raptor Center noticed that her beak was not developing symmetrically, perhaps from an injury at birth or from falling from the nest.
By Colleen Grzan, werc@werc-ca.org
Television programs, live animal shows and the Internet can be wildlife’s worst enemy when wild animals are depicted as loveable pets.
Two recent tragic incidents in the news illustrate the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets. Young chimpanzees may appear as adorable as human babies – but they don’t grow up to behave as human adults. Adult chimps can weigh more than 200 pounds and are extremely powerful and unpredictable. Those two people who were attacked by the “pet” chimps suffered excruciating pain and permanent injuries.
The Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter (FOSMAS) will host a training class for individuals interested in becoming foster parents for animals-in-need from the San Martin Animal Shelter:
DATE: Sunday, March 15
TIME: 1 - 5 p.m.
PLACE: The Granary, 17500 Depot St., Morgan Hill (second floor conference room)
Courtesy of Pet Talk
Now more than ever, Americans are constantly on the go. Long days at the office coupled with the demanding extra-curricular activities for kids leaves little time spent at home. So before adding another member to the family, it is important to consider the responsibilities of caring for and choosing your pet bird.
“There are several factors to consider before purchasing a pet bird,” explains Dr. Sharman Hoppes, an avian specialist at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
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If your pooch stirs up a hurricane when he wags his tail, has some crazy trick up his sleeve, or looks fabulous in a tutu, the Hollister Dog Owners Group would like to have a talk with you. Dogs of all shapes, sizes and talents are being sought for the Dog Days of Hollister’s Pooch Parade Costume Contest and Doggie Contests set for May 30.
The event will be held at Dunne Park, located near in the intersection of West and Sixth streets. Doggie competitions and entertainment will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pirate was finally adopted! Thanks to everyone for your donations for his surgery – you helped to give him a new lease on life.
The horses keep pouring in … we recently took in two Paints, a mare and a stud. Since “Oreo” the stud is 3-4 years old, the vet wants to keep him overnight after the gelding procedure to make sure there is no bleeding, etc., so the cost will be a bit higher than usual ($300+). We have an account set up at Tri-County Vet in Gilroy if anyone wants to donate towards this and future castrations. We really appreciate your support, as this is the only way we can ensure that the procedure gets done and that new owners are not breeding (or getting hurt trying to handle an intact stallion).
Info for donations:
Tri-County Vet Hospital
2675 Pacheco Pass Highway
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848-8886
They will accept checks or credit cards over the phone. Just let them know it’s for the “South County Shelter” account for castration expenses. Thank you!
By Colleen Grzan, werc@werc-ca.org
Spring is the season for gardening and getting yards back into shape after winter rains. A word of warning: LOOK BEFORE YOU START! Before you begin tree trimming, construction work, hauling, yard and lawn maintenance, or roofing please note:
Nesting season is typically March-August. IT IS AGAINST STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS to remove, destroy or disturb most nesting wild birds, their nests, or their eggs. IT IS NOT LEGAL to destroy the nests of tree squirrels. Special government permits are required to remove occupied nests and are only justified for a strongly compelling reason, for example, when the location creates a health hazard to humans. These laws apply to homeowners, contractors, and businesses alike and violators may be prosecuted and be assessed stiff fines.