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A Bit About Us and What We DoBy Kelly VandenheuvelPacific Wildlife Care was organized in 1983 and has been serving San Luis Obispo county ever since. The wildlife care center in Morro Bay was opened in May of 2007. We are a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that provides high quality care to local injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. When the animals are recovered, they are released back into the wild. We are licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and must adhere to strict guidelines regarding wildlife rehabilitation. Directly and indirectly, human presence affects the livelihood of the species with whom we share our habitat. We receive oiled seabirds, seabirds tangled in fishing line with hooks in their bodies, birds and mammals hit by automobiles, raptors that were caught in barbed wire fences or shot, cat caught birds, lead poisoned vultures and eagles, orphaned baby raccoons, baby opossums and skunks whose parents were trapped . . . the list goes on and on. During 2008, PWC took in over 1600 wild birds and mammals. This number has increased dramatically since we started our efforts in 1983. We are able to release approximately 70% of the sick, injured and orphaned wildlife received annually. PWC is very fortunate to have the help and support of many of San Luis Obispo county’s veterinarians. They assist us with complicated medical issues and decisions and advise us if an animal is beyond rehabilitation and should be euthanized. The primary objective is to get the animal rehabilitated and back in to the wild as soon as possible. Those of us who work directly with wildlife are required to complete many hours of continuing education and training offered through the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, National Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Association, California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators and Oiled Wildlife Care Network every year to keep up on the latest protocol, medical advances and highest care standards. PWC works with local governmental agencies. We are often called on by county and city fire and police departments, the sheriff’s department, harbor patrol and animal services just to name a few. We reach out to our community by offering informative presentations that help educate the public on the importance of protecting our native wildlife and our environment. PWC’s educational volunteers go to local schools, 4H clubs, service clubs, environmental events and more. We believe that public outreach and education goes hand in hand with protecting our wildlife. Lack of funding is the biggest obstacle PWC faces today. We are the only wildlife rescue organization in San Luis Obispo county. Our costs are many, and they continue to increase with the increase of injured and sick wildlife that we care for each year. Direct operating costs include food, housing, cleaning supplies, veterinary care, medication for the animals, and, of course, electricity and water. There are also indirect costs such as taxes, insurance, permits, transportation and janitorial services. In 2008, the cost of food alone was more than $15,000. We encourage people in our community to learn more about our organization, become members and/ or volunteer. For more information please check out our website or call 543-WILD.
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