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!!!