Sierra Wildlife Rescue is an extremely valuable asset to our county. We are a mostly rural area with many different types of animals and birds. Sierra Wildlife takes care of every animal they receive, no matter how large the numbers. I have brought several birds to Sierra Wildlife in the eleven years I have lived here and I am always confident that the birds will be well taken care of and that they will do their best to make sure these birds are returned to the wild. I brought a hummingbird in a few years ago that one of my cats had captured and the day after I brought the bird in to Sierra Wildlife Rescue, they called me and asked me to come back and get the bird as it was healthy and ready to go home. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to bring that little fellow home and let my son release him back to the wild.
Sincerely,
Michele C. Kreisl
I have attended 6 training classes. Each instructor has been extremely experienced and educated regarding their topic matter. Instructors have also included veterinarians that perform wildlife medical treatments.
The experienced rehabbers are very good about mentoring new rehabbers to make sure the wildlife is medically treated properly and the novice can handle the long term care of the animal.
I think the long term dedicated volunteers have very good communication. Whenever I need information they are quick to answer my inquiry or contact the next person in the organization that can be of assistance. The volunteers donate an enormous amount of personal time to ensure the success of Sierra Wildlife Rescue as a viable organization for our community.
The workshops are varied and respected that they attract rehabbers from other wildlife organizations and even the Forest Service to attend.
each spring i look forward to feeding the baby birds at sierra wildlife rescue. i work the morning shift. we usually start by 7 o'clock. work starts fast. the cages need to be uncovered, food needs to be warmed, water dishes have to be changed and cages need to be cleaned. different birds have different feeding habits and when they are young they may need to be fed every 15 minutes . and the fun begins. some times there is not a minute to think. I love it . 50 to 100 birds all needing care , and hopefully to be returned to the wild i know that swr is involved with rehabing many different kinds of animal maybe someday i will do that but for now i love the baby bird nursery
Although there are many volunteer opportunities available at Sierra Wildlife Rescue, I became involved with their Baby Bird Nursery (BBN) program due to my love of birds and birdwatching. Baby birds often end up on the wrong side of the equation in interactions with wildlife and humans. Through progams like BBN, we can make a difference by helping injured, sick and abandoned birds. Due to Sierra Wildlife Rescue's careful monitoring, strict protocols, and extensive training program, the BBN has a good success rate.
SWR is wonderful all volunteer organization with great wildlife rehabbers. They are dedicated, and selfless in caring for all the assorted species encountered in El Dorado County.
I volunteered and was on the board when I lived in the area. I am still a member and donor because of the great service they provide for the animals and the community.
K.L.K.
I attended a SWR class a year ago and knew right away I would like to be a part of the fawn rehab. group. The team leaders are absolutely available, knowledgeable and support release with as little human interaction as possible during the rehab. process. My entire family is now involved in the rehabbing of local wildlife, in particular fawns. Unfortunately, there are not enough people that know how precious our wildlife is to the environment. SWR is a small group that is doing their best to get the word out to the local communities about conservation. SWR is a fantastic way to give back to the environment, community and learn about conservation in the process. Help us get the word out and become a volunteer or donor with SWR.
I love volunteering for this organization because the members and volunteers are passionate about their cause. Wildlife is so important to our culture. This organization rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife and releases it back into the wild. We have such a symbiotic relationship with wildlife and this organization teaches how to rescue, rehabilitate and release these important creatures back into the wild. This organzation also plays an important role in educating adults and children about the different facets of wildlife, which is so important to preserve wildlife for future generations. These volunteers spend countless hours picking up injured wildlife and rehabilitating them for release. I serve in the baby bird nursery and my experience has been so valuable in taking care of injured birds and knowing that they will soon be released.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue came to my property, after I called on a Redtail Hawk that seemed grounded and injured. They were able to catch the bird safely and take it in for assessment. My 4 year old son and I were able to be apart of the rescue, it was very inspiring. The volunteer from Sierra Wildlife Rescue said they would bring the hawk back to our property, after is was healed, where it would be released back into the wild.
Unfortunately, the hawk was not able to fully recover from the sustained injury. SWR sent us a picture of our hawk and a note letting us know that although it is unable to return to the wild, it is safe and well cared for living at a facility where it is used for educational purposes.
I was very happy that there was an organization whom I could call to save this Redtail Hawk. Thank you so much SWR,
Living in a small town next to a scenic river opens your life up to a menagerie of wild critters. I personally have used Sierra Wild Life Rescue three times with great results. One was: "What to do with an injured young deer at three am on a Sunday morning?" Two was: "Help there is a baby opossum making a home in my coffee beans!" (I own the local bakery/coffee shop). Three was: Ben, a small mallard that I feed bread to on walks with my dogs. Ben took on something that wanted to snack on him and the out come was a foot that needed to be amputated. Ben is back good as new, minus a flipper, and happily being a duck in his pound. Thank you Sierra Wild Life Rescue!
Sierra Wildlife is a great organization that provides help to the wildlife of El Dorado County. As a volunteer I have seen dedicated individuals provide a variety of needs to achieve the goal of rehabilitating animals back into the wild.
I live in a rural area and every year I find dying baby birds, deer, rabbits near my place. I didn't know where to go for assistance. Now there is a facility just a few miles from my place. I have phone numbers and am taking classes with the Sierra Wildlife Rescue group. The classes have been very informative.
Each week during the summer, I assist caring for orphan birds. Knowing that I am helping sustain El Dorado County wildlife is very rewarding.
If we didn't have this group, TOO many animals would be left to die and not have a chance at life. These folks often speand their own money to make sure the animals are taken care of.
I've helped a neighbor who is a volunteer with SWR hand feeding baby raccoons and watching a wounded bird recover and fly again.
It is so very heartwarming to watch the damage that humans cause wildlife be turned around by human kindness.
I have utilized Sierra Wildlife Rescue on many occasions. From finding small birds that have fallen out of their nests, injured geese, and most recent a baby squirrel that had been brought to my front door by one of my cats - which was unhurt. I have been very impressed with everyone that I have been involved with and as an animal lover I appreciate everyone's committment to this program.
A young bird literally dropped from the sky in front of me and looked to be in serious distress -- actually, it looked dead. But I noticed that it was still breathing, so I lifted it carefully and laid gently in a shoebox. Now what? I don't know anything about birds! I called a friend who recommended Sierra Wildlife Rescue as a resource for help. I called them on a weekend -- They were open -- I jumped in the car (now known as the bird ambulance) and drove right to their doorstep. I rushed my little feathered friend into the building where I was greeted by extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and cheerful volunteers who gently examined the bird, assessed its injuries, and began medical treatment. They saw all sorts of things that I was unaware of, not having been trained to do such work. They were so calm and took the time to explain the type and age of the bird, the extent of the injuries, what they thought had probably happened (a hawk had attacked it, was the common wisdom) and the care it would receive. I was amazed. I was so grateful! Here I had an injured bird and no way to know how to care for it -- But these folks sure did! My frustration and helplessness melted away -- this little bird was in good hands; he had a fighting chance! What a gift that was!
I was then asked to fill out a form regarding the circumstances of my finding the bird. Ok, I thought, here it comes, they're going to get my address and pester me for donations right? HA! Nothing could be further from the truth! They wanted my address so that when the little bird had recuperated, a volunteer could drive 20+ miles back down to where I lived to release him in his familiar habitat. Now, THAT'S commitment! I was so inspired that I made a donation right on the spot. I wanted to help these people who did such amazing work to preserve the wildlife in my area.
I am so THANKFUL that there is a resource in my area that would take care of an injured creature -- I was so RELIEVED that I had an option other than to keep the bird in the shoebox where it surely would have died -- I am so AWESTRUCK that this group of truly dedicated volunteers have made a such a difference by their work to rescue and rehabilitate animals, and to educate the public about respecting and understanding wildlife in our area.
Support for Sierra Wildlife Rescue is well deserved. Their services are invaluable to all who are concerned about, and committed to, the health and welfare of wildlife in our midst. They work miracles - believe it -- a little bird taught me.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue has expertly trained volunteers. We had a baby squirrel abandoned on our property and their squirrel team responded on a weekend. You can always count on this organization to come to your rescue.
They also have come to my Senior Center twice in the past year to do an educational session on their Birds of Prey. THey bring their birds about 30 miles to do this for us. The Seniors are very interested in nature and local nonprofit organizations.
This is the 3rd season that my daughter (age 13) and I are beginning our help with the Baby Bird Nursery in the spring through summer. She has been able to learn responsibility and work ethics as she does her part at the Sierra Wildlife Center on a weekly basis. She has mentored some of her friends and enjoys flaunting her expertise! She has demonstrated an increased interest/compassion for wild birds and other wildlife since we see it in an injured state, then we help to bring it back to health. It is something that we have in common to do in which I am not her boss, but we just work the same shift and she sees what the world of work/service is about; plus she has fun and thinks the lil' birdies are so cute. The fact that there are always baked goods for the volunteers, I'm hoping, is not the main reason that she has stuck with it!
I have never met an organization so dedicated to what they do. SWR volunteers are always happy and willing to come to the aid of injured animals, no matter the time of day or night. And their classes and trainings are informative. Most importantly, the work they do to aid teh recovery of sick and injured wildlife is invaluable.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue (SWR) has been a visible and extremely beneficial presence in El Dorado County for many years. Their large, dedicated group of volunteers staff the office as well as the baby bird nursery during season, and individual volunteers offer their time and expertise year-round to rescue and rehab large and small creatures that, through no fault of their own, become injured on the busy roadways, run afoul of the ever encroaching human populace, become victims of cruelty, lose their mother or simply have an accident like the many baby birds that fall out of their nest before they are able to fly. Our wildlife represents an irreplaceable natural resource that SWR helps to protect.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue responded when we found a bird on our property with a broken wing. We were told how to put it in a small cardboard box on a piece of flannel, to protect it from the neighborhood cats till it was picked up; we had locked our cat in the house. When we had a family of foxes under our deck, after the initial amazement of watching their antics and interaction for several weeks, we wanted to encourage them to move on. We talked with the "fox" expert, who passed along some ideas for getting them to re-locate. Since it had been six weeks, and she could tell by our descriptions of their coloring about how old they were, it seemed no harm would come if they found a new home, away from our cat and relieving us from the odor of baby turkeys killed with remains under the deck that had been baby fox meals. It is nice to know this organization is just a phone call away!
On several occasions my husband and/or I have found orphaned baby birds and brought them to Sierra Wildlife Rescue for rehabbing. This is an organization that does wonderful things for the environment both by rehabilitating and releasing all manner of injured or orphaned wildlife (from birds, skunks and squirrels to deer) and doing community outreach and education to help others understand the vital role wildlife play in the ecosystem.
The 10 hours I spend here taking care of the baby or injured birds are the best hours of my week. I have been yearning to help again this spring, and will be excited to be a member of this team. The amount of birds re-released is incrediblebly high. It is very organiized and grows with each passing year. SWR is important to the wildlife rehabilitation in the Tahoe and Eldorado countys. The voulenteers are an integrel part of SWR, and the center could not run with out them.
Debbie
I am impressed with organization, teaching programs and approachability with all the rehabbers. Very enthusiatic with newbies as myself. Looking forward to spending time mentoring and helping injured wildlife in the area. I am looking forward to the Raptor class coming up at the UCD Raptor Center. I would not have been aware of such class unles the Raptor team leader at Sierra Wildlife had imformed me. Went to a team meeting today and I was impressed with the organization and spirit. I wish more people were involved. They need more help. We already have 11 birds and the season has not yet begun. Hoping the word gets out. Thanks.
This is an outstanding organization dedicated to preserving our wildlife. We have found baby birds and deer that were injured and this organization nursed them back to health! The volunteers are well-trained and caring.
This is a great organization that has many dedicated people that spend most of their days caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. This is a full time job. Not something that they do now and then. When they are caring for an injured or orphaned animal they work around the clock to care for that animal so that it can be released back into the wild.
While driving, we saw a fawn running/stumbling across the street to hide under some bushes. Waited to see if Mom was around. Fawn acted as though it was chased. Reported to Sierra Wildlife Rescue. Knowing that Mom Deer many times comes back for the fawn, and per SWR's advice, gave it a few hours. They asked us to check back; we did and since the fawn was still there, the lead fawn rescue volunteer responded; waited watched and ultimately decided he needed to take the fawn to SWR fawn rehab facility. It received water, food, and was able to have a safe environment until SWR was able to release this little rescued girl a few weeks later. We were happy to be a part of a happy ending. Would not have been possible with Sierra Wildlife Rescue.
Last Spring on a Sunday afternoon I found 3 baby skunks in my back yard. After many hours the Mom had not appeared. I didn't know who to call on to help those babies and just googled for wildlife rescue in my community and Sierra Wildlife popped up. I called the phone number listed and my call was promptly returned. Within a hour or so 2 volunteers came to my home with a humane trap and guidance as to how the 3 of us could safely secure the tiny skunks. The volunteers returned for at least 4 more visits that week to assist me. The babies were then taken to a volunteer skunk specialist for rehab untill they were old enough to be relased into the wild. I was a bit stressed about the little ones until they were secured but the volunteers were calm and reassuring and walked me thru this new experience, coming out on a Sunday and many times thereafter. The wilds are a better place because of this team of dedicated peolpe.
When I first moved to the Sierra Nevada Foothills, I quickly learned of the magnificent wildlife whose land I was sharing. A bond was established and through that trust, I was allowed to approach closely for intimate photographs and observation. Each animal holds within, a different personality and a different story to tell. I am honored to have learned from their sensitive souls, their loving ways and their unimaginable strengths.
This has all been possible thanks to the volunteers of Sierra Wildlife Rescue. Their training classes are professional and informative. They teach individuals how to work closely and safely with wildlife. Their community exhibits with live animals are fascinating for young and old. Their education on how to co-exist with wildlife is invaluable. And through this all, I have come to know a special breed of human…a Sierra Wildlife Volunteer. Each has a depth of compassion and dedication rarely witnessed in our troubled world. They are true heroes as they work selflessly to save injured or abandoned animals. They will go above and beyond to restore health and quality of life to the animals in their charge. We are blessed to have these dedicated people available for consultation, rehabilitation, education and training.
Elizabeth Sorensen
My five year old son and I found a very small and weak baby bird while on a walk. It looked as though a predator had gotten to its nest and from the remains it did not look like the mother survived. My son became very upset and wanted to help. Looking at the condition of the little bird I did not think it could survive but we brought the little guy home anyway. I called SWR right away and they sprung into action! They gave us solid instruction on what to do and were willing to take our patient into their baby bird nursery. My son was worried about leaving the baby bird but the staff at SWR (mostly all volunteer) were warm and caring with him. they explained to him how they would take care of our friend and even gave my son a tour of the facilities, answering all his questions. The impact this made with him was just amazing. They even told us we could call and check up on the baby and check his progress. Our little guy made it and was released back into the wild but I am sure he would not have had a happy ending to his story if not for SWR. I appreciate so much the help they gave not just to a needy little bird but also to a little five year old boy who with SWR's help now knows he can make a difference.
Sierra Wildlife Rescue provides an invaluable service to the citizens and wildlife of El Dorado County. They work diligently every spring to make sure that hundreds of abandoned and injured baby birds survive, and they work the rest of the year contributing volunteer hours, veterinary expertise, and compassionate concern to the variety of wildlife that are injured, most often, as a result of human carelessness, commercial encroachment, and outright violence against Mother Nature’s most precious creatures.
Our first experience with SWR was when, on a Saturday morning, an SWR volunteer drove over 20 miles to our home to pick up an injured bird that our own careless kitty had injured. We were mortified by the injury, and thrilled that a community organization cared enough to rescue the sparrow and nurse it back to health. Amazing. Continued kudos to Sierra Wildlife Rescue, and we hope it thrives for years to come.
Having volunteered with a number of non-profits, I became a member of Sierra Wildlife Rescue several years ago after learning more about their work in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
I have been impressed by the dedication of their volunteers who often work around the clock caring for injured and orphaned wild animals. Their goal is to rehabilitate them and return them to the wild.
In addition, the management of the organization is exemplary! With Board members serving annual terms, this allows for representation across the membership. Moreover, the board values its volunteers as they work...together...toward a common goal.
I highly recommend supporting Sierra Wildlife Rescue by becoming a member or donating at www.sierrawildliferescue.org!