One red-tailed hawk, nicknamed Helmet-Head, had skin grafted over his head to cover his exposed skull.
Another red-tailed hawk had its broken feathers replaced with feathers donated by a different hawk.
A western screech owl had surgery to remove a grievously injured eye and, after recovering, flew to Alaska – in an airplane – to become an educational bird at a wildlife center there.
A pond turtle, run over by a car, had its broken shell glued back together again. A tiny baby opossum had her broken leg splinted with a little pink cast. A king snake’s cat-caused wound, exposing internal organs, was sutured.
A magnificent bald eagle had a metal plate attached to the bone of its shattered wing.
Two young bobcats required oral surgery to remove broken baby teeth and another infant bobcat had a feeding tube inserted to provide critical nourishment and medication.Â
These are just a few examples of how our veterinarians go above and beyond to save our local native wildlife and keep them healthy. These doctors generously donate their expertise, time and equipment to examine, x-ray and medicate the hundreds of birds, mammals and reptiles that are admitted to W.E.R.C. each year.
Countless wings have been mended, wounds healed, medications administered. Our non-releasable, educational animals receive yearly “well-animal” check-ups and vaccinations to ensure their continued health so that they can visit schools and public events.
Appropriate for November, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center gives thanks to Dr. Laura Bellinghausen (For the Birds), Dr. Suzanne Colbert (Princevalle Pet Hospital), Dr. Pete Keesling (San Martin Veterinary Hospital) and Dr. John Quick (Animal Care Center). Their care and dedication to creatures, great and small, wild and tame, deserves the heartfelt kudos of every human.
WERC, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, provides the community with rehabilitation services for orphaned, injured and sick native wildlife. Through its educational programs, WERC encourages a peaceful coexistence between civilization and our native wildlife. WERC does not receive operating funds from any government agency to care for wildlife and is not allowed to charge a fee for this service. It is supported solely by donations from businesses and the public. To contact WERC, call (408) 779-9372 or visit www.werc-ca.org.
