Pacific Wildlife Care
Posted by Ruth Ann Angus
Dave Klinzman was first to represent Pacific Wildlife Care. He said
that they have cared for close to 5,000 animals since their location was
opened in Morro Bay behind the Power plant. Their mission is twofold:
1. Public outreach and education. 2. Capture, rehabilitate and
release wildlife back into nature. They are funded solely by private
donations and membership subscriptions.
Dave then introduced Kelly Vandenheuval. Kelly has been with Pacific
Wildlife since its inception in 1983. She said that the injuries they
treat are mostly caused by humans. They are the only organization of
its kind in SLO County. They are always looking for volunteers. Kelly
brought with her Maxwell, a beautiful great-horned owl. Max will not be
able to be released back to nature because he is blind. They obtained a
special permit to maintain Maxwell for educational purposes, by taking
him to organizations like ours, as well as schools, etc. Kelly said
that owls are nocturnal and have spectacular vision and hearing. They
typically weigh about 2 to 4 pounds. Kelly said that this time a year
they get a lot of birds, and that with baby birds, they try to re-nest
them instead of bringing them in. She also mentioned fawns, and that we
should leave them alone because mothers do not abandon their babies and
are probably just off to forage.
Kelly passed the baton to Kathy Duncan. (John Lemon's daughter) Kathy brought with her Olive, an opossum. Olive also can't be released because she was captured as a baby and fed the wrong foods, which caused a permanent metabolic bone disease. Olive cannot protect herself. Kathy said that a possum can have up to 13 babies at a time. Good luck with that! Opossums are injured mostly by cars and by dog attacks. They are not rat-like animals, and are very clean, cleaner than your kitty cats. They are not aggressive, but they have 50 sharp teeth so it's best to leave them alone.
Jude Long then presented a check from the club for $250 to Pacific Wildlife for the good work they do.
Kelly passed the baton to Kathy Duncan. (John Lemon's daughter) Kathy brought with her Olive, an opossum. Olive also can't be released because she was captured as a baby and fed the wrong foods, which caused a permanent metabolic bone disease. Olive cannot protect herself. Kathy said that a possum can have up to 13 babies at a time. Good luck with that! Opossums are injured mostly by cars and by dog attacks. They are not rat-like animals, and are very clean, cleaner than your kitty cats. They are not aggressive, but they have 50 sharp teeth so it's best to leave them alone.
Jude Long then presented a check from the club for $250 to Pacific Wildlife for the good work they do.