On the Wild Side: Fall 2024

Our 17th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Their Lives is Saturday, October 12!

We hope to see you at our 5K—registration has been slow so far and we love for this to be a big, fun event for all! If you can’t attend in person, we offer a virtual option as well!

The 5K Run/Walk for Their Lives is back! The race starts and finishes at Stoney Ridge Ball Field in Silt and traces a scenic path through Eagle’s View, Stoney Ridge, and Eagle’s Nest subdivisions. Bring the whole family to meet some of our resident birds and reptiles and run or walk to help support the care of injured and orphaned wildlife!

All participants will also receive a voucher for a tour of the Foundation to meet our wolf hybrids, arctic fox, bobcats, birds, reptiles, and other exotics! Tours must be scheduled in advance, and not all days are available, but vouchers do not expire.

Registration/check in starts at 8am at Stoney Ridge Pavilion in Silt

Race begins at 9am.

Dogs are welcome! We even have a prize for fastest finishing dog!

The first 60 registrants will receive a race shirt, sizes while supplies last.

Registration Fees:

Adult: $25

Children 15 and up: $15

Children 10-14: $10

Children under 10: $5

Carry-along babies/strollers: Free

REGISTER AT WWW.PSSWF.ORG/EVENTS (or you can register the morning of the event)

 

Welcome to fall and all the wonderful colors. Our baby season is almost over except for a few late squirrel babies (squirrels have two baby seasons in spring and fall). There were a lot of critter babies to syringe and bottle feed this year. Most of them needed it every two to three hours even through the night. It’s very labor intensive! Fortunately, we were able to hire another part-time certified veterinary technician, Skylor Kendrick. Sky is a graduate of CMC’s vet tech program, and has volunteered with us for about four years prior to joining as staff. We paid for her to get some rabies vaccines so that she could handle rabies vector species like raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. I lucked out and she really loves raccoons!!!  I got to have excellent help this year with their bottle feeding and care. 

We had over 40 raccoons, and when they were all in their neonate phase, bottle feeding, stimulating to urinate and defecate, and cleaning after them was almost a full-time job. Thankfully, they grow and become easier to care for, and are eventually ready to return to the wild. This past couple of weeks I have been able to get them all released. CPW regulations require that all animals to go back to within 10 miles of where they came from. I use an “as the crow flies” app and can usually find great places within our 10 mile window. I did a lot of driving and saw some beautiful scenery and fall colors. The weather has been wonderful and really helped lengthen our release window. We try to put all the critters a long way away from people and houses, but especially raccoons. Even if you don’t like raccoons, you’ve  got to admit they are cute as babies! Enjoy the pictures.         

Numerous other critters have left us, too. Raptors, hummingbirds, squirrels, beavers, etc., and one really cool osprey. It and its sibling were knocked out of a nest by a golf ball at a golf course near Silverthorne and injured when they hit the ground. One had a non-repairable severely broken compound fracture at a wing joint and unfortunately had to be put down. The other eventually recovered and was able to be re-united with its parents and should be migrating soon. Osprey are very labor intensive when in our care because they usually aren’t willing to eat on their own. So for the several weeks we cared for this youngster, we had to feed it via tube down its esophagus once or twice a day. It looks like we are to have a long warmer fall, so we continue to work at releasing everything that is ready. Get out and see those colors!!!

 

Critter Corner

Meet the long-tailed weasel! This spring, we released an long-tailed weasel that we cared for over winter after the youngster was attacked by a cat. The little guy quickly became one of our favorite animals at PSSWF! Enjoy some photos and fun facts! If you have access to our email/online version of the newsletter, you can check out a video of the release as well!

Long-tailed Weasel Fun Facts:

· Scientific name Neogale frenata (until very recently they were classified as Mustela frenata).

· They are found throughout most of North America, and can survive in a variety of habitats

· Long-tailed weasels are the largest of the three weasels found in North America, usually 13-18 inches long

· Weasels are persistent, tenacious, and intelligent

· In summer, they are brown with a white or yellow belly, and in winter they change to white with a black tail tip

· Weasels are notorious hunters and often take prey that are significantly larger than them, including squirrels, cottontails, and quail. With a super fast metabolism, these guys have to consume up to 40% of their body weight daily, so they will also eat rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians

 

Video from the weasel's release.

2025 Calendars will be available soon!

We expect calendars to be completed in early November. Updates will be found on our Facebook and website. Feel free to call, text, or email us if you’re interested in a calendar and we can contact you when they’re ready!

Stay connected with PSSWF!

Website: www.psswf.org/

Facebook: /PSSWF

Instagram: @pss_wildlife

Email: psswildlifefoundation@gmail.com

Phone: (970) 876-5676, or text (970) 896-6895

Board of Directors

Executive Director: Nanci L. Limbach

Chairman of the Board: Al King

President: Nanci L. Limbach

Vice President: Dr. Paul Bingham

Secretary: Karen Roberts

Treasurer: Nanci L. Limbach

Director of Vet Services: Dr. Paul Bingham

Member: Walt Geister

Member: Cat Martin

Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation

Home of the Western Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

PSSWF is a Not for Profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. Our mission is to provide quality, professional care to injured and orphaned wildlife, in conjunction with educational programs on wildlife and the environment. The Foundation relies solely on public funding. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please donate at www.psswf.org/donate.

Annual contributions of $100 or more add you to our mailing list for quarterly newsletters. Your contributions are tax deductible and a letter of 501 (c) 3 verification is available upon request. No contribution is too small or too large! THANK YOU!!!

On the Wild Side: Winter End 2023

2024 Calendars are now available!

$25 plus $4 shipping if necessary

(we can typically arrange free pick up or porch drop off through the Roaring Fork and CO River Valleys through Fruita)

Or pick up at the following locations: Jean’s Printing in Rifle, Town and Country Vet in Rifle, The Honey Shop in Silt, Hy-Way Feed in Silt, RJ Paddywack’s in El Jebel

Call or email us (contact info below) to let us know if you’d like a calendar!

Tis the season (to be cold)! Welcome to winter. Brrrr. It was eight degrees yesterday and 11 this morning. I guess it’s time to settle in to the cold and snow. We have all of the outdoor critters winterized with head lamps, heat pads, heated water bowls, etc. where needed, so let it snow!

In the last two weeks, we’ve been able to release three bald eagles that were with us for around a year or so. It’s a long process to rehab an eagle with a broken wing. One of the eagles came from the Town of Silt, just down the road from our center. It had been hit by a car on I70 near the Silt exit. Silt’s police chief, Mike, and my brother Al wrestled traffic and the bird and were finally able to safely corral it and get it in a carrier. Unfortunately, the adult had a severely broken wing. Our vet was able to pin it and it had to have bed rest (perch rest?) in a small room for six weeks. After the pin was removed, the wing was very stiff and couldn’t extend out. This is called patagial contraction, where the flexible skin and tissue on the wing loses elasticity when the wing isn’t constantly moving. To treat this, the bird has to be caught daily and the wing manually extended and massaged. It can take weeks to months to get the “bad” wing to be able to extend as far as the “good” wing. Eventually, the bird moves to our large flight cage where it can start working on building back cardio and further strengthening its wing. This eagle was with us a little over a year, but was finally ready to be free.

We were able to release it at the Silt River Preserve and met up with the police chief and a few other officers. We let Mike open the door and the bird took off across a long field. It flew really well for a long ways, then landed in the far end of the field getting its bearings. From there, it flew up into a huge cottonwood and sat for another ten minutes. Eventually, it took off toward the Colorado River and went out of sight. Hopefully it’s back to hunting fish! Check out a video of the release here.

The other two we released went up near Reudi Reservoir and the Frying Pan river. One was an adult and one a juvenile. They too took off well. The juvenile landed on a branch that wasn’t quite strong enough for it (this is common with juvies on release), and it had to ungracefully fly up to a larger branch on a pine tree. The homeowner watched both eagles for a while and they eventually both took off to join the real world.

Here’s wishing you all a good winter! Stay safe and warm, and thank you for your continued support!

Please enjoy these photos of just a few of the animals we took in at PSSWF this year. Your support helps us continue to care for animals like these!

⁂VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT⁂

Sonya Vasconcellos

Sonya is another long-time volunteer at PSSWF. She has always been conscientious and thorough, and we often specifically start new volunteers with Sonya so she can share that with them before they move on to volunteering a different day.

Sonya writes:

“I started volunteering five years ago and it continues to be a rewarding experience.  I have learned a great deal about wildlife rehabilitation.  The animals have taught me their sights, sounds, smells, tracks, diets, and needs.  I carry their teachings with me when I am exploring the outdoors camping, climbing, biking, boating, and skiing.  Always with an eye open for wildlife. 

 I also enjoy reading books about animals and spending time with the Audubon Society.

I’m pictured here with my two big sweet rescue cats who are brothers named Look “e” Lou and Chicken.”

 

Sonya, thank you for your continued support and dedication to PSSWF! We are lucky to have you on the team and always have fun when you’re around!

Stay connected with PSSWF!

Website: www.psswf.org/

Facebook: /PSSWF

Instagram: @pss_wildlife

Email: psswildlifefoundation@gmail.com

Phone: (970) 876-5676, or text (970) 896-6895

Board of Directors

Executive Director: Nanci L. Limbach

Chairman of the Board: Al King

President: Nanci L. Limbach

Vice President: Dr. Paul Bingham

Secretary: Karen Roberts

Treasurer: Nanci L. Limbach

Director of Vet Services: Dr. Paul Bingham

Member: Walt Geister

Member: Cat Martin

Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation

Home of the Western Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

PSSWF is a Not for Profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. Our mission is to provide quality, professional care to injured and orphaned wildlife, in conjunction with educational programs on wildlife and the environment. The Foundation relies solely on public funding. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please donate at www.psswf.org/donate.

Annual contributions of $100 or more add you to our mailing list for quarterly newsletters. Your contributions are tax deductible and a letter of 501 (c) 3 verification is available upon request. No contribution is too small or too large! THANK YOU!!!

On the Wild Side: Summer 2023

Hello from some of the critters cared for by PSSWF this summer!

As Summer Winds Down

It has been an exciting time around here at the Foundation. As of May, we were able to open up to onsite and away programs and small tours. Erin has done a great job of educating everything from little kiddoes to seniors and introducing them to our resident critters. Maybe by next year we can do an open house again. Our 5K race will be this fall as it was last year. After three years it is wonderful to see things become more normal for the Foundation. For us, it was more about the fact that wildlife can get COVID from humans and vice versa. We started using raptors in programs at schools last year, but then HPAI (avian flu) came along. I hope this is all in the past. We have been quarantining all birds as they come in and haven’t really seen a problem with the flu so far. State testing is not really being done, so we don’t usually know for sure if HPAI was to blame when an avian patient passes away. All in all though this year has been almost back to normal - an average amount of patients, average amount of mortality, but best of all, lots and lots of releases back to the wild. Everything from little birds and squirrels to bears and mountain lions.

Many a raccoon baby was raised this year. All are finally in outdoor cages except two late born youngsters. They are cute, but messy.

These baby raccoons’ favorite hobby was flipping and rolling their carrier around their cage.

Our late-season baby (now joined by another, even younger one). Weeks younger than the others! She’ll be staying for the winter with the other small youngster.

A couple of months ago we received a call from a lady in Utah that had purchased a “blue” arctic fox pup from a wildlife breeding farm in Tennessee. (Yes, it is a legal facility - there are still states where breeding, buying, and selling wildlife as pets is unfortunately still completely legal.) The pup is now one year old. Unfortunately, they were never able to build a compound for him and had to keep him in their laundry room, which had a cement floor. Foxes are diggers to the max, and being bred in captivity doesn’t remove their natural instincts. He was also marking a lot around their house and property, and was a bit of a biter - again not surprising behaviors since they are totally natural fox behaviors!

We were able to get a pen together to house him temporarily and are down to doing the indoor compound. We had just started to build and rebuild the pen that used to house our bobcats. We moved them to a better cage a while back, and their old cage was slated for repairs. The indoor area will be tiled inside so that he can’t dig anywhere and get out. It has a doggie/foxie door that we hope he doesn’t eat. It also has an air conditioner in it as arctic foxes do best at cooler temps - they are not made for Colorado or Utah summers!

After contacting our local wildlife agency, we were able to facilitate the transfer of the fox, who we named Olaus after explorer and arctic conservation advocate Olaus Murie. He had to have a health certificate, current vaccinations, and an import permit to Colorado from our Department of Agriculture. A few weeks ago, my brother and I drove up to Rangely, met with the gentleman, and transferred Olaus. He is really cute and fun to watch play. He will bury a ball and then leap in the air and pounce on it like it was a mouse or something. He’s already one of our volunteers’ favorites - see some photos of him below. The Foundation will be looking to get him a friend. All creatures are happier with friends.

Meet Olaus!

So, to our friends, we wish you a good rest of summer!

 Meet Pepper the pot-bellied pig! She recently joined our other resident pig, Junior. Unfortunately, Pepper’s previous owners didn’t really have the ability to care for a pig, and she ended up severely obese. She was barely able to walk, unable to see and hear because of fat rolls on her face, and was in desperate need of a hoof trim. She’s now on a diet with PSS, and once she’s a little healthier, she’ll get much-needed additional medical care for her eyes and hooves. Welcome, Pepper!

Pepper says, “Why bother getting up to eat your pigsicle when you don’t have to?

 Volunteer Spotlight

In coming newsletters, we’ll be bringing back one of our favorite segments, featuring some of our amazing volunteers! These men and women are amazing, and we could not function without them!

Cindy Layman

Cindy with one of her favorite PSS tortoises, Roxy.

Cindy is one of our longest standing volunteers - she’s constantly willing to put in extra time, come in to fill in additional days when we need it most, and help with new things whenever she can. Volunteers like Cindy are the foundation of every success we have, and we’re so thankful to have had her as a volunteer, coworker, and friend all these years!

Cindy writes:

“I started volunteering a couple years after I retired and have now been doing it a little over five years. It’s constantly gratifying, interesting, and educational. Who knew that tortoises liked their shells rubbed and get to know you?!?!

I have been exposed to a multitude of animals, so many I didn’t even know we had in Colorado. The resident animals [at PSS] all have their stories and have been given happy reprieves at the Foundation.

I respect and admire the ladies that have made the Foundation their career. Their hard work, knowledge, and compassion are incredible. Be a volunteer! You benefit even more than the animals.”

Cindy, from the bottom of our hearts, we truly appreciate your kind words and all of your time, caring, compassion, and hard work!

 

Save the date! Our annual 5k Fun run/walk fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for SAturday, october 14. Stay up to date at www.psswf.org/events or on facebook!

Stay connected with PSSWF!

Website: www.psswf.org/

Facebook: /PSSWF

Instagram: @pss_wildlife

Email: psswildlifefoundation@gmail.com

Phone: (970) 876-5676, or text (970) 896-6895

Board of Directors

Executive Director: Nanci L. Limbach

Chairman of the Board: Al King

President: Nanci L. Limbach

Vice President: Dr. Paul Bingham

Secretary: Karen Roberts

Treasurer: Nanci L. Limbach

Director of Vet Services: Dr. Paul Bingham

Member: Walt Geister

Member: Cat Martin

Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation

Home of the Western Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

PSSWF is a Not for Profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. Our mission is to provide quality, professional care to injured and orphaned wildlife, in conjunction with educational programs on wildlife and the environment. The Foundation relies solely on public funding. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please donate at www.psswf.org/donate.

Annual contributions of $100 or more add you to our mailing list for quarterly newsletters. Your contributions are tax deductible and a letter of 501 (c) 3 verification is available upon request. No contribution is too small or too large! THANK YOU!!!

On the Wild Side: Winter 2023

Happy New Year from some of our current patients!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is hard to believe that 2022 is already over.

Erin and I, as well as our dedicated volunteers, took care of 445 animals in 2022 (including those we held over through winter from 2021 and the new ones we took in in 2022). We were so glad that we were able to bring back volunteers in full this year. COVID sure put a crimp in things around here! We refused though, to let it stop us from helping the wildlife of Colorado and did not turn down a single one from receiving the help they needed.

As usual, we had a lot of orphaned babies, whether they were true rescues or were accidentally (or intentionally) kidnapped. We had over 40 baby raccoons and 24 neonate squirrels, which mean bottle feedings every two to four hours until they start to eat on their own. It becomes a 24/7 schedule, so we don’t get much sleep in the spring. We also took care of 20 bears, 12 beavers, 26 rabbits, 18 great-horned owls, 26 red-tailed hawks, and many other species in smaller numbers, many of whom were orphaned and required significant care.

This, of course, brings us to the approach of Spring 2023. Our local red-tailed hawks, who have a nest in a huge metal power pole in one of our pastures, are courting and remodeling their nest. I have a pair of great-horned owls outside my bedroom window that have been doing a lot of talking as well. March is the start of baby season and the cycle starts again!

All but two of the raccoons, five squirrels, two mountain lions, eight bears, a bobcat kitten, two beavers, an elk calf, some small songbirds, and a dozen or so raptors were released prior to winter. Most of our cages are cleaned and ready to go for the big push of spring! A few are still frozen and we’ll have to wait until warmer weather to get them taken care of. Some of the bears are in hibernation and will soon be relocated to dens in the wild. They will wake up in a month or two and join the real world of bear life. A few of our other cubs, who were too thin and small when they came to us to survive hibernation, are staying awake and being fed daily. They will be released in late spring or early summer.

Have a good spring, I hope to see some of you at our spaghetti dinner fundraiser later this month.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

We are excited to resume our educational programming and events! Some programs, tours, etc. may still be limited due to COVID and avian influenza.

Keep up to date with our schedule and find more details at our https://www.psswf.org/events or follow our Facebook page. We hope to see you this spring!

Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction at Sammy’s

5-8 pm Monday, February 27

$15 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 - spaghetti, salad, and a drink

Visit some of our residents and learn more about the foundation!

Silent auction starts online on February 20 and ends in person at the event.

Find more info on the event and online auction link at https://www.psswf.org/events/2023/2/27/spaghetti-dinner-benefit-at-sammys

Garfield County Library Programs

Bring your kids to your local library for a one hour programs where you can meet some of our residents, learn about wildlife topics, and more about the Foundation!

New Castle: Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00

Silt: Saturday, April 1 at 10:30

Parachute: Monday, April 17 at 11:30

Rifle: Friday, April 21 at 2:00

Carbondale: Saturday, April 22 at 2:30

Glenwood Springs: Wednesday, April 26 at 2:30

Booth at Aspen Saturday Market

We’ll have some of our residents and wildlife info to share!

June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30 from 8:30-2:00

Tail Tale Story Time at Journey Home Animal Care Center

We share a story and craft with kiddos at the shelter

June 21, July 19, time TBA

Sprout’s Corner at Rifle Farmers Market

Visit some of our residents and learn about wildlife topics!

July 7, August 4, September 1 from 4:00-8:00

Other Events - Dates and Details TBA

Program upstairs at Explore Booksellers in Aspen - April

Onsite tours and programs can be scheduled starting in late spring

Stay connected with PSSWF!

Website: www.psswf.org/

Facebook: /PSSWF

Instagram: @pss_wildlife

Email: psswildlifefoundation@gmail.com

Phone: (970) 876-5676, or text (970) 896-6895

Board of Directors

Executive Director: Nanci L. Limbach

Chairman of the Board: Al King

President: Nanci L. Limbach

Vice President: Dr. Paul Bingham

Secretary: Karen Roberts

Treasurer: Nanci L. Limbach

Director of Vet Services: Dr. Paul Bingham

Member: Walt Geister

Member: Cat Martin

Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation

Home of the Western Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

PSSWF is a Not for Profit 501 (c) 3 dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. Our mission is to provide quality, professional care to injured and orphaned wildlife, in conjunction with educational programs on wildlife and the environment. The Foundation relies solely on public funding. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please donate at www.psswf.org/donate.

Annual contributions of $100 or more add you to our mailing list for quarterly newsletters. Your contributions are tax deductible and a letter of 501 (c) 3 verification is available upon request. No contribution is too small or too large! THANK YOU!!!