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July 6, 2010 Greetings!
Always appropriate for this time of year, this issue has stories about wild birds and other animals we have recently rescued. Each comes with their unique stories and needs. The skilled staff at WRR knows just what to give each of the hundreds of species brought to our clinic each year. With expert care, these animals and others have found their way back to the wild or to the safety and serenity of our sanctuary.
In our work with wildlife, we use a hands-off approach whenever possible. In doing so we allow animals to maintain much of their wild nature. Great care is taken to be sure that the wildlife does not become habituated to humans. On the other hand, when we treat or provide a temporary home for cats and dogs, we have the opportunity to shower on them all the personal attention they love, need and benefit from. In this E news, Dr. McAndrew, WRR's staff veterinarian shares the story of Charles, a cat who touched many of us with his gentle nature.
Please be sure to check out our summer wish list for items needed that serve the many animals in our care.
Regards, Lynn Cuny, Founder/CEO Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc.
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Call of the Wild
by Lynn Cuny, Founder/CEO
A diminutive female wood duck was brought to Wildlife Rescue recently by some folks who had hand-raised her. She was quite tame and having been in the company of humans instead of ducks, she did not relate well to her own kind. There were no other wood ducks residing at WRR so the little girl was placed in our enclosed marsh bird area, where she was introduced to other ducks, but even after weeks in their company, she persisted in her preference for people.
It is always sad to see any wild animal lose their wild behavior so in our efforts to broaden her experience we decided to move her to my yard on the sanctuary grounds. There are other ducks there and she could easily decide to fly away if she wished. After about three or four days of confinement I let her out to swim in a small wading pool. In only an instant all the other birds, both ducks and chickens, gathered around the pool to investigate the new resident. Here at WRR we have a large and welcome population of black vultures who call WRR home because they know they are safe here. On this particular morning there were about forty vultures basking in the pasture near the duck pool; they watched with very little interest as the wood duck hissed at her new companions but the wood duck found the vultures quite interesting.
When the large, male domesticated duck decided it was his turn for swim in the pool the little wood duck took to the grass. As she did so she stopped to turn her head to the sky as the brilliant black vultures took flight in one giant swoosh of wings in motion. After a moment's thought, the little duck was compelled to follow and as she spread her wings and took two graceful flaps she too was soaring just behind the swarm of coal black birds.
I watched as she claimed her place in the bright blue sky and disappeared in the direction of the upper sanctuary grounds and then beyond. |
 A Hawk Lands - And Stays Landed
by Diane Thovson, Clinic Supervisor A young red-shouldered hawk was rescued near Texas A&M not too long ago with a gunshot wound to one of his wings. During his stay at A&M his wound healed, and he regained limited use of his injured wing. Unfortunately, "limited use" meant that he would never fly again. He could not be released with any prospect of survival. His rescuer contacted Wildlife Rescue about a permanent home and arrangements were made for his transfer to the Kendalia sanctuary.
His initial days at WRR were a hard adjustment for the young hawk. He was used to being hand-fed and was not sure how to gather food and eat on his own. Staff placed him in a large outdoor enclosure to help him transition to a more independent life. Slowly he began to eat a little on his own, but it wasn't enough and he was returned to the clinic so his feeding could be more closely monitored. He gradually became more independent and was returned to the outdoor enclosure. His eating has improved and he is becoming stronger and more agile.
Certainly this is a vastly diminished life for this hawk compared to the one nature built him for. No longer self-sufficient, no more flying and hunting, no chance to reproduce, none of the pleasures we can imagine he would have enjoyed on his own. Still, life itself is precious and he seems to know his circumstances and to accept them. He appears comfortable in his big enclosure, with the sky above, the wind and rain, the sun, and an endless panorama of animal caretakers and animals he would never have seen all within sight. We are grateful he has these things, but sad for his losses. |
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With Gratitude To The San Antonio Area Foundation
Wildlife Rescue is pleased to have been awarded a grant from the Gaynelle and Gee Rankin Endowment Trust of the San Antonio Area Foundation.
For over 45 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation has connected donors of all backgrounds with the causes that matter most to them, for the betterment of San Antonio and the surrounding region. The Area Foundation offers a wide range of giving opportunities and highly personalized service that bring donors and charitable organizations together for the benefit of the community. Through an exemplary managed grant and scholarship program, the San Antonio Area Foundation has distributed more than $170 million since its inception. Our board, volunteers, and staff understand the issues and challenges facing our region and work together with our donors to make a lasting impact on the community.
The San Antonio Area Foundation has given generous support to WRR for many years, and we are extremely grateful for their assistance in our life-saving work for wildlife.
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Saying Goodbye to Charles
by Megan McAndrew, DVM
Charles came to WRR in August of 2007 after being found at Randolph Air Force Base. He had tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and was brought to us to become a member of our immuno-compromised kitty colony after his rescuer learned that he was going to be deployed to Korea.
Charles quickly became a favorite with his beautiful all white coat, 1 blue and 1 green eye, and his sweet personality. Charles was living a happy, healthy life. Then in January of last year, tragedy struck our feline friends. All at once, almost half of the cats became very ill. Many became lethargic, refusing to eat, and others had severe respiratory tract infections.
We moved into triage mode and set up individual crates for each cat so we could better monitor their individual care. Some continued as they always had, playful and happy, but we were not able to provide enough support to the weakened immune systems of several others. It was a sad time for WRR as we had to say goodbye to some of our feline friends from what was diagnosed as Feline Infectious Peritonitis, but we still continued to work to save as many of the others as we could.
Charles was one of the more critical patients. He was no longer his bright, happy self. While he still was eager for attention, we could not get him to eat and his breathing was very labored. We began supportive care, including homeopathic remedies, IV fluids, antibiotics, and force-feeding at times. About a week later, I was called in late one night after Charles experienced his first seizure. While we continued to support Charles' immune system and caloric needs, we were now faced with new neurologic problems that also needed to be controlled and monitored. Charles had become weak in his hindquarters, with no apparent cause seen on radiographs, he was now experiencing regular seizures, and he had become blind.
Over time, we learned to control Charles' seizures; we found different types of foods that we were able to encourage him to eat, and he still loved to receive affection in his new home in the intake office. He never was quite the robust, playful cat he had been before his illness, but he seemed to still get joy out of life.
Over the last several months, Charles' condition became harder and harder to control and his episodes became more violent and unpredictable. It was hard for him to find his litter box and his food, he didn't explore as much as he once had, and he no longer seemed to get joy out of the affection the staff, interns, and volunteers would give him.
Charles' WRR family got together and made the difficult decision to say goodbye to our friend. On April 20, Charles passed away peacefully as he was held and stroked. He will be missed, but held forever in loving memory in our hearts. |
The Albino Starling
by Diane Thovson, Clinic Supervisor Imagine our surprise upon opening the small box and seeing a fledgling albino starling. He had beautiful white feathers, bright red eyes and the distinctive starling chirp, and he begged for the morsel of food from anyone who would listen and was not shy about it. After examination he was deemed to be in good health without any injuries and was placed with other "normal" starlings of the same age and enthusiasm level. It took him a moment to assess the situation and then happily joined the loud and raucous group, begging and competing for food. |
 Baby Bird Season
by Noelle Adams, Director of Animal Care
Baby songbirds are arriving at our clinic by the dozens everyday. Each of the thousands of hatchlings we receive each year, needs constant nutrition and warmth to survive. The small orphaned hatchling wrens, sparrows, mockingbirds, and blue jays are born helpless and naked with no feathers to keep them warm. When they are brought to us, WRR animal care staff immediately places them in specially designed incubators for the first couple weeks of their life while they grow their feathers. Our animal care staff must also hand-feed them with a small syringe and special formula every twenty minutes from sunrise to sunset. As they grow, they are moved outside to practice flying and picking up seed, mealworms, crickets, and fruit on their own. Finally, they are released back into the wild.
If you would like to help with this, please consider donating supplies from our wish list or volunteer your time at our Kendalia or San Antonio clinics to help feed and care for the thousands of babies we receive each year.
You Can Help! Learn More about Volunteering |
Please Help the "Little Ones"!
by Lee Ann Goette, Companion Animal Apprentice
When a passing car threw a bag out its window, the last thing a concerned citizen expected to find was nine helpless kittens. All nine where brought to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation emaciated, covered in fleas, and suffering from severe upper respiratory infections. These little kittens are going to need a lot of help and love from WRR's vet staff and animal care staff. We would greatly appreciate any help that you are able to provide. Your generous donation will to help give these little ones the food, medicine, and care that they desperately need.
Please contact Brenda Gaston at 830-336-2725 x308 or brendag@wildlife-rescue.org to make a tax deductible donation.
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Get Ready to Walk on the Wild Side!
 Join us on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 9:00am in beautiful Boerne for the fun 5K Walk on the Wild Side and help raise funds for WRR to care for thousands of animals. Form a team and walk with your friends, family, and dog, and then enjoy the post-walk music, food, beverages, and activities! Collect lots of sponsorships and earn great walker prizes. Read more about this fun event
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Please Help Us Find Homes!
 Chance
Chance is a sweet boy rescued off death row in San Antonio. He loves attention and laying on your lap. He would do best in a home without children. Do you have the loving to give to this little man a second chance? |
 Justice
Justice is a sweet little girl who loves to play with her friend Paige. She loves to explore and is afraid of nothing. But, after a good play she will settle down on your lap to take a nap.
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 Paige
Paige is a beautiful tabby. Paige and Justice love to play together and because they are so frisky and curious, occasionally find themselves in trouble. Both these beauties can provide themselves with hours of entertainment with the simplest toys.
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Summer Wish List
Stainless Steel No Tip Bowls
These stainless steel bowls are great for feeding raccoons or any animal who likes the
challenge of trying to tip their bowl over. They are easy to clean and are very durable.
 We would like 20 - 24oz. sized bowls.
We would also like 20 - 320z. sized bowls.
Pet Crate-Extra Large Highly durable, extra-large pet carrier is great for containing wildlife in the clinic while under treatment. Alsoused for animal releases and transfers, we can never have enough of these crates. Pet Crate-Extra Large
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging: Birds, Exotic Pets and Wildlife by Charles S. Farrow, DVM
Many of the patients we see are outside the normal veterinary reference range. This book would give the vet staff a reference for radiologic diagnostics for some of the more unusual animals we see, including armadillos, reptiles, andmarsupials.
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The Squirrel's Nest Has Moved!
by Becky Alexander, Shop Manager
 The Squirrel's Nest has moved to beautiful downtown Boerne. Our new address is 255 S. Main. We also have new summer hours. We are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday. We are looking ahead to the fall season, so any seasonal autumn decorations would be greatly appreciated. We could use furniture, signed pottery, and vintage or designer clothing items. Your donations to The Squirrel's Nest will make a difference and directly help the animals at WRR. The Squirrel's Nest has a Facebook page. If you are a Facebook Member, check out our page for specials and updates on the store. Just type "The Squirrel's Nest" in the search box to find our page. Come check out our beautiful new location. Hope to see you soon at the Nest! |
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We Couldn't Do It Without You!
We would like to extend a sincere "Thank You" to local veterinarians near our San Antonio location, the WRR Sherman Animal Care Complex, for their help with critical patients who have needed emergency care. These wonderful professionals are:
Dr. Corder at Corder Companion Animal Clinic
Dr. Kirby at Alamo Heights Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Kirlin at Eagle Veterinary Hospital
Dr. McGeehee at Castle West Animal Hospital
The WRR staff, apprentices, interns, and volunteers appreciate your time and considerable efforts in assisting animals who are in urgent need of care.
Another "Thank You" goes out to our friends at Payless Shoe Source #1843 in The Vineyard Shopping Center located on Blanco and 1604. The manager, Ray Trent, and the staff there have been so generous with saving shoe boxes for WRR. We use the boxes to transport animals from the WRR Sherman Animal Care Complex to our sanctuary in Kendalia. The shoe boxes are the perfect transportation medium for all the tiny babies being brought to our San Antonio clinic.
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Sherman Animal Care Complex News
by Robin Nowak, Education Coordinator
The Wildlife Rescue Sherman Animal Complex (SACC) has been open now for 6 months. Incubators, heating pads, scales, crates and medical items have all been unpacked and put in place. The tasks of painting, remodeling, and building a cattery was completed in record time. Once we opened our doors we did not have to wait very long before our first patients were carried through the front door.
This past winter, tiny baby opossums were some of the first animals to be dropped off. The majority of the tiny pink babies were gently rescued from their mothers who were killed by cars or dogs and brought to WRR by individuals who took time to check the pouches of the dead mothers for any signs of life.
Baby squirrels blown from the safety and warmth of their nests by spring storms, adult squirrels, hawks, owls, raccoons--with injuries and in traps have all been brought to WRR for care. The spring and summer have also brought nestlings, white wing doves, starlings, and grackles, blue jays, goldfinches, and sparrows. Within an hour of arrival, each little one was begging for food.
Once stabilized, they were all taken to the sanctuary and cared for in our clinic until they were ready to be released back into the wild from which they came. With our new location we have already experienced a dramatic rise in the survival rate of the animals brought to WRR for care.
The WRR SACC manager, Patricia Chapa, staff, and WRR volunteers are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to rescue, call, and bring an orphaned, injured, or sick animal to our new location.
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