Yep, with just five days left in the LWR fundraiser and only $1045 of the needed $3000 raised, LWR is officially not accepting new intakes for the time being. The funds we currently have on hand will be needed to see the birds already in our care through to release. I’ll continue to provide weekly updates until these birds have been released; after that, who knows? If and when more funds become available, I’ll begin accepting birds again on at least a limited basis, but I’m not optimistic that will happen in the remainder of this year.
No, that’s not a “shock” ploy. It’s the God’s honest truth. The funds just aren’t there, nor are the donations, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Any other year, and I’d be breathing flames to try and cajole, harangue and guilt people into donating. This year, I’m still reeling from my father’s death. Just getting through each day is like navigating quicksand. I cannot summon the strength or energy to beg, harangue and cajole people to donate toward the care of our native wildlife, our legacy to future generations. Either you care enough to donate or you don’t; it’s that simple.
To those who have donated, either throughout the year or during this fundraiser, many times from very limited budgets, thank you. I appreciate your support and your sacrifices.
As most of you know by now, wildlife rehabbers receive no state or federal funding; LWR is no exception. None of the funds donated to LWR go toward a “salary” for me; I freelance edit to provide my income. All donations go toward care and upkeep of the wildlife in my care—food, supplies, gas for vet trips, etc. It takes a lot of mice, as I’ve indicated to you over the past month, in addition to boxes and puppy pads to line the boxes for the raptors; paper towels, insects and formula for the songbirds and tissues to line songbird nests; fish for the waterfowl; formula, bedding, mealworms and seeds, fruits and nuts for the flying squirrels; equipment wears out and must be repaired or replaced…And these are just the normal, ongoing expenses that immediately come to mind; I’m sure there’s something I’ve left out.
The point is, again, the funds aren’t there to continue to accept intakes, not unless I plan to start transferring birds in my care to other already overburdened rehabbers as my funds run out. At least by not accepting new intakes I can ensure the birds currently at LWR can be released without transfer to someone else. Beyond that, as I said, we’ll see.
There’s still time to donate toward the care of the birds currently at LWR—and even time for a miracle influx of funds, perhaps, although miracles seem to be in short supply these days. Again, I’m deeply appreciative to those of you who’ve donated, sometimes even through your own cash shortages.
No, that’s not a “shock” ploy. It’s the God’s honest truth. The funds just aren’t there, nor are the donations, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Any other year, and I’d be breathing flames to try and cajole, harangue and guilt people into donating. This year, I’m still reeling from my father’s death. Just getting through each day is like navigating quicksand. I cannot summon the strength or energy to beg, harangue and cajole people to donate toward the care of our native wildlife, our legacy to future generations. Either you care enough to donate or you don’t; it’s that simple.
To those who have donated, either throughout the year or during this fundraiser, many times from very limited budgets, thank you. I appreciate your support and your sacrifices.
As most of you know by now, wildlife rehabbers receive no state or federal funding; LWR is no exception. None of the funds donated to LWR go toward a “salary” for me; I freelance edit to provide my income. All donations go toward care and upkeep of the wildlife in my care—food, supplies, gas for vet trips, etc. It takes a lot of mice, as I’ve indicated to you over the past month, in addition to boxes and puppy pads to line the boxes for the raptors; paper towels, insects and formula for the songbirds and tissues to line songbird nests; fish for the waterfowl; formula, bedding, mealworms and seeds, fruits and nuts for the flying squirrels; equipment wears out and must be repaired or replaced…And these are just the normal, ongoing expenses that immediately come to mind; I’m sure there’s something I’ve left out.
The point is, again, the funds aren’t there to continue to accept intakes, not unless I plan to start transferring birds in my care to other already overburdened rehabbers as my funds run out. At least by not accepting new intakes I can ensure the birds currently at LWR can be released without transfer to someone else. Beyond that, as I said, we’ll see.
There’s still time to donate toward the care of the birds currently at LWR—and even time for a miracle influx of funds, perhaps, although miracles seem to be in short supply these days. Again, I’m deeply appreciative to those of you who’ve donated, sometimes even through your own cash shortages.
LWR did accept a few new intakes this week, before it became obvious this was going to be untenable in the long run. An adult great blue heron was dumped at Smalley’s Animal Hospital; x-rays showed no wing fractures but what appeared on the body x-ray to be a coracoid fracture. He’s doing well, although he refuses to stand any time I’m near him; as soon as he sees me he hunkers down. Great blue herons are actually pretty shy birds, so his behavior is not unusual.
An adult red shoulder hawk came in with no apparent wing injuries, although he favored his left wing a bit. Within eight hours of intake, his right leg had begun to bleed profusely, despite the fact that an intake exam showed no wounds on the leg. He’s also keeping that foot balled now. Obviously, a trip to Smalley’s is in his immediate future.
When a lady hit a first-year red tailed hawk, she did the responsible, humane thing and sought help for the bird. He has no movement and no neural response in his legs, which could as easily be from pinched nerves as from a fractured spine. His appetite is good so he’ll also be headed to Smalley’s for x-rays to determine his fate.
The screech finally got his turn in the raptor flight and is slated for release as soon as his flight skills improve and he passes the live prey test.
Waiting to take his place, we have the two great horned owls; by the time they’re out, the red tail and barred owl from last week, both with similar wrist fractures, should be ready to have their separate turns in the raptor flight.
Again, I’ll keep you updated on these birds’ progress, so at least for a while you’ll still get weekly updates. Meanwhile, pray for that miracle so we can begin accepting intakes again, and donate toward making that possible if you can.
Again, I’ll keep you updated on these birds’ progress, so at least for a while you’ll still get weekly updates. Meanwhile, pray for that miracle so we can begin accepting intakes again, and donate toward making that possible if you can.
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