~ Pets & News ~

Barred Owls at the Center for Wildlife this Season

CAPE NEDDICK -

Barred owls in the backyard, or sadly on the roadsides? Each fall and winter, Center for Wildlife typically admits dozens of juvenile red tailed hawks, barred owls, screech owls, saw whet owls, turkey vultures and other species of raptor. Raptors on average have an 85% mortality rate, a part of natural selection that ensures the fittest animals survive to pass on their genes.

“Getting the hang of hunting on your own when many prey species are hibernating or have migrated is not easy, and when you couple that with habitats fragmented by cars and development, or competing with adults who have claimed the best winter hunting habitats as their own, it is a wonder that any of them survive,” shares Shelley Spanswick, medical clinic and operations director at Center for Wildlife.

Some years, the center sees a spike in the admissions of barred owls in particular. While community members usually bring 15-20 barred owls hit by cars to the wildlife clinic, during a “boom” year up to 60 injured or diseased barred owls can be admitted in just a few months. This trend is hypothesized to be part of the “boom and bust” cycle of oak trees and small mammals. When small mammals are plentiful, more owlets have a chance of making it to fledging stage, and thus more owls are out on the landscape and sadly hunting by roadsides. When food and trash are in the road, small mammals are attracted to the road, and young owls see this as a place to find food that is free of snow cover. for their age.

This year, the center has admitted and treated 32 barred owls since September alone, and it is shaping up to be a boom year. Most of these owls have been hit by cars, and have suffered head and eye trauma, along with fractures. These owls are tested for lead and rodenticides to rule out underlying toxicity poisoning, and are given specialized care and medication along with large flight enclosures to recover from their injuries and return to the wild. The positive note?

“Admitting this many owls and all of the other patients means that community members are tuned into nature, and cannot just let an animal lay wounded on the road. In a time of tension and strife in the human world, every person that calls or brings us an animal lets us know that in our community, empathy is indeed alive and well,” reflects Executive Director Kristen Lamb.

To learn more about Center for Wildlife and how you can support their mission this holiday season, visit www.thecenterforwildlife.org. Photo to left: Medical Clinic and Operations Director Shelley Spanswick returns a healed barred owl back to the wild recently.

Sage is the handsome brother, with a white muzzle on his tiger face and a white bib and boots. Lovely Fennel has striking tiger markings. They love one another and are tightly bonded. The pair excel at cat wand chasing, catnip rabbit kick sessions, and are a marvel to behold when chasing a laser toy.

When tired, the duo love sleeping intertwined, purring blissfully as they snooze. Yes, they have a happy life here at Safe Haven, but they deserve the very best life, with a cat-loving family in their forever home.

Fennel and Sage will enjoy playing, enjoying the fun of family life, and being cherished as full family members. To find out more about the pair, why not visit them at our Safe Haven Shop at Cattail Farm, or call Nancy, our Farmhouse

Computers4Vets

is a 501(c)3 non-profit that helps veterans who can’t afford a computer system.

Seeking desktops, laptops, netbooks, or tablets... whether they work or not. Accessories also accepted, such as keyboards, mouses, cables, old software, which can be reused. Monitors and printers accepted in working order only. Hard drives will be thoroughly cleaned to a DoD level. All donations are tax deductible.

Know a veteran in need of a computer?

Contact Mark Grimshaw at 603-734-2340 or computers4vets@comcast.net and visit www.computers4vets.org.

SAFE HAVEN HUMANE SOCIETY

Shelter: 207-646-1611 • PO Box 91, Wells, ME 04090

THRIFT/VINTAGE/ANTIQUE SHOP: 207-216-9169 • 1784 Post Road, Wells Open 11am-4pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!

Help us pay our vet bills and other expenses!

Donations Accepted 12-3pm on Saturdays Only ( FMI 207-229-8314)

VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED

Manager, at the number listed below. Adoption applications can be filled out online at www. safehavenhumanesociety.org or in-person.

Safe Haven is looking for experienced cat-care volunteers. Volunteers need to be able to medicate felines, and to keep accurate records of basic medical charts for others to follow. Training is available. For organized people, or those with any medical background, this might be an ideal volunteer position! If volunteers can contribute a couple of times a week for an hour or two, we could definitely use the help!

Sadly, our Shelter Cat Manager Leonore is retiring, and we need someone to keep our feline friends medicated in a timely way once she leaves. Leonore will train those interested. Also retiring is our tax accountant of many years. We do need a new tax accountant for yearly filing and to provide financial counsel as needed.

We are also looking for a roofing contractor. Our barn roof at 1784 Post Rd. is huge and needs to be replaced, a very costly expense. We are taking estimates now for the work; local roofing contractors, please consider putting in a bid.

Emma’s Angels Rescue

NORTH BERWICK -

Meet this sweet senior Texas girl, Dolly Pawton! Dolly is a 9-year-old Chug, a Chihuahua/Pug mix, who is sweet and happy. Dolly is spayed and up to date on her vaccinations. If you would like to meet this cutie, call us at the number below.

Emma’s Angels Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based organization located in North Berwick. Needed at this time: wee wee pads! We rescue many small senior dogs and they are used constantly. Donations can be left in our drop box at 30 Meeting House Road in North Berwick.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and supporters for their dedication and hard work hers at Emma’s Angels. Happy New Year!

Emma’s Angels Rescue 30 Meeting House Road North Berwick, ME 03906 207-676-5599 axel1759@aol.com www.petfinder.com/member/ us/me/north-berwick/ emmas-angels-rescue-me