Fundraiser stalled; slow week for intakes, as well

As you’re no doubt aware by now, LWR is in the midst of a “Twelve Days of Christmas” fundraiser. Because the goal is such a small amount, just $750, we’re not using Fundrazr’s platform or the FB fundraising platform. Why? Fundrazr works directly with PayPal, which is a major plus, but both agencies skim their take off the top of donations—not a huge issue when the goal is larger but a significant amount that LWR doesn’t see when the goal is smaller. PayPal alone still assesses a fee for each donation but it’s manageable. And the funds are immediately available, which is a good thing. FB’s fundraising platform also skims a sizable chunk off in fees, and donations may or may not be available before a 30-day waiting period—not good when a mouse order is a pressing priority, for example.

So if you haven’t donated already and would like to, just use the PayPal “donate” links on each page of the website. They’re at the bottom of all pages except “This week in wildlife.” On that page, the link is to the right above  the archives. Or you can mail a check if you prefer; the address is on the website, as well, on the “Contact Us” page. Currently we’re sitting at $330—not quite half the goal—with four days remaining in the fundraiser.  Help LWR fulfill the visions of sugarpl—umm, mice—dancing in our raptor guests’ heads!

As always, thanks to those who’ve already donated. With the fundraiser update done, now on to the critter update…
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The red shoulder is rarin’ to go, but that left eye still looks a bit weak to me, so he’ll hang out in the raptor flight for another few days. He’s flying beautifully and inhaling everything he’s offered; when I’m happy with that eye, he’ll be released.

The sole intake last week was a first-year Cooper’s hawk who was found lying halfway under a bush in someone’s yard. Of course, I always suspect window-strike in situations like this, and the finder did indicate there was a window just above the bush. On intake, he seemed to have no fractures. Wings and feet/legs worked appeared to work properly, so I really figured he just needed a couple of days to recover from a concussion. However, when he tried to stand, he’d fall over on his side, which could be from mild spinal trauma, or it could indicate a hip injury. Hip fractures don’t always show on x-rays, so we opted for a little R&R and steroids before even attempting x-rays, given Coops’ spastic, stressy natures. Thus far, he’s showing some slight improvement; if we don’t see significant improvement within a couple more days, he’ll head to Smalley’s for x-rays.

No photos of the flyers this week; these days even I seldom see more than a whiskered nose peeking out of the nest box awaiting the arrival of that night’s buffet.
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Sisyphus the kestrel is his usual pissy self. Honestly, that bird hates me…

​And the vision-impaired kestrel is showing slow improvement but remains unnaturally docile. His vision seems to’ve improved ever so slightly—it appears he can distinguish light from dark, and he’s still tilting his head as if trying to see what’s below his perch. He’s flown a couple of times, and his flight isn’t the slow, meandering, uncertain flight one usually sees in totally blind birds, so…time will tell. Fingers crossed; he’s such a sweetheart.