Keeper of the Wild
Often times here in the desert we forget that we have so much wildlife around us. Whether it be those cute little white-tail bunnies or the not-so-cute roadrunners, the wildlife population in our area is always there. Working at the Humane Society, we expect our days to be filled with doggies and kitties and maybe even the occasional hamster. But spring has sprung and it has proven to be a fruitful mating season for Havasu’s lesser known residents!
Each day the Humane Society receives phone calls about abandoned bunny litters, skunks, wayward dove chicks, and displaced young quail. Then there’s the pigeons.
In one week’s time, the Humane Society temporarily sheltered some desert tortoise, baby roadrunners, countless bunnies, an iguana, a baby quail, some cactus wren, a very tiny ground squirrel, two young mourning doves, and an injured pigeon.
What happens when the Humane Society takes in this wildlife? WAHS is very lucky to have an individual who works with the birds and animals in her home, fostering them until they are healthy enough or old enough to be released back into the wild. Her name is Pam and she is certified to work with injured and special needs wildlife.
Pam is State and Federally licensed through the
Fish and Game department. She has
been rehabbing wildlife for about 15 years. A formal test is required to
get a license
and you also have to have had experience with the animals you rehab. Pam
has
completed many hours of continuing education, which is required to
retain her
license.
Whenever wildlife is brought into the Humane Society offices, Pam is notified that a pickup is needed. If she is unavailable to make it, the animals are sometimes loaded into a staff member’s car and they are dropped off at Pam’s house. Pam and her husband Mark have customized their home to accommodate this way of life and they plan their recreation around the availability of Pam’s mother who fills in to care for their guests should they need to make an out of town trip.
Pam’s home is equipped with indoor and outdoor cages, and also an aviary that is intended for birds who are awaiting re-release into the wild. She strives to keep each bird or animal in as natural a setting as possible, so they feel comfortable during their stay. It is against Lake Havasu City ordinance to keep wildlife as pets inside the city limits, and Pam stands by this policy. All animals that are rehabbed are taken back to the wild once they are ready.
Pam’s schedule varies as the mating practices of the animals most often does. This time of year is considered a peak time and she devotes approximately four hours a day to her work with the animals. She does not receive regular compensation for her work, except for occasional donations that are given. Dr. Lange of Lange Veterinary Center contributes her time and some medications to Pam, and the Humane Society contributes bird seed and also rabbit pellets.
Lake Havasu’s Animal Control Officers are not permitted by policy to handle live wildlife, and this includes pigeons, coyotes and skunks. When the Humane Society is contacted about an abandoned young animal or bird, or an injured one, the caller is advised to bring it to the offices located at 1100 Empire Drive so they can get it to Pam. Also, Animal Control cannot assist with bee swarms. Callers with concerns about bees are directed to Lake Havasu City Fire if it is an emergency, and of course pest control for non-emergencies.
Above are just some of the wildlife friends who turn up at the offices of the Humane Society. On the left is a baby squirrel. Middle picture is a baby finch. The picture on the right is a baby owl.
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