Director of Wildlife Rehab Center offers sound advice about
wildlife
Meredith Day, at the ripe old age of 28, is carrying on a family
legacy: she is the third generation Pipestem to take over duties at
San Benito’s sole field hospital for injured wildlife.
Director of Wildlife Rehab Center offers sound advice about wildlife
Meredith Day, at the ripe old age of 28, is carrying on a family legacy: she is the third generation Pipestem to take over duties at San Benito’s sole field hospital for injured wildlife.
Established by Meredith’s grandmother, the Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in south San Benito is a facility that takes in and rescues all sorts of injured, orphaned and distressed wildlife all year long. But there is a fine line between knowing the difference between a critter truly in need and one that happens to be waiting for its foraging mother to return. Spring, especially one so plentiful in rain-nurtured grasses, is the time when animals reproduce like … say, rabbits, and babies abound.
Like her aunt, mother and grandmother before her, Day puts in long hours, around the clock, seven days a week. There is little respite between the feedings of baby birds every two hours and welfare checks on orphaned skunks or injured deer. In her own words, Day tells readers about the Center, and gives some do’s and don’ts for those who believe they need to help an injured wild animal.
Q. When did you assume the responsibilities at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center? Do you have help?
A. I just got my official title as the director of animal care at the beginning of this year. Last year I was an assistant working with my Aunt Meredith, who just retired from the position. My husband James is one of my best volunteers – from rescues to running animals to vet appointments, his help is invaluable. He has also become an adept handler and often helps restrain animals who need treatments, which two hands alone can’t accomplish.
Q. How are things at the Center? Are you pretty busy, now that it’s spring?
A. Things are very busy, but thankfully, going very well at the Center this spring. We are looking at reworking many of our habitats [pens] which have seen some wear and tear over the years, and have been recruiting all the handy people we can find to help us undertake the job. There is a lot of work to be done, but things have been coming together so well, I couldn’t be more excited.
Q. What is the most common mistake that people do when they stumble upon a situation in which they believe an animal is in distress?
A. Feeding animals foods their digestive system cannot handle. We have such a wide variety of animals in this county, their diets are just as varied, and it’s complicated to provide for them in captivity. It’s sad when an animal dies simply from being fed the wrong food. I know it can be hard not to want to feed a hungry animal, but please don’t feed the wildlife.
Q. What are some tips you have for the public about handling wildlife, if it is necessary to do so?
A. Please call us first. If for any reason you cannot get ahold of us, the surrounding counties’ wildlife centers contact info is included in our answering machine message. It is very important to have contact with a wildlife facility for your safety, and the safety of the animal. On our website you can also find instructions if you have found a bird or mammal, etc. Have a cardboard box of the appropriate size ready and waiting for the animal before you undertake any handling. Never put an injured wild animal in a metal cage if you haven’t received a verbal go-ahead from a wildlife facility. Wild animals do not find the safety or comfort in cages the way our pets do and can injure themselves further. If you have captured any wildlife, call us as soon as possible. In California, many of our native animals are protected by the federal and state governments. It is illegal for people unlicensed by Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to possess them.
Q. What are some of the things to look out for to make sure you aren’t taking away a baby animal unnecessarily?
A. We are all busy and running at such a pace, it can be a challenge to take time to stop and observe wildlife situations we stumble across. Often taking that time is really the most important thing to helping an animal, or being sure that an animal needs help. Spring is upon us and there will be many baby birds this season growing up in our yards. Songbirds leave the nest at only three weeks of age. At that stage in their development they are called fledglings. Their tail feathers are very short they may still have a little down in their plumage, and they are just learning how to fly. They don’t fly well in the beginning but learn to very quickly. If you notice a fledgling down in your yard, find a spot to observe from a good distance and you will often see the parents coming to feed and encourage their babies. Bringing in your pets and keeping foot traffic down are the best things you can do for a bird family. Watching a bird learn to fly is really quite a miracle but it’s something that takes time to observe and appreciate. If you are ever in doubt whether the animal is in distress, please look the situation over and call us. Things you notice about an animal are very important in deciding the next step.
Q. What is the one thing you wish people would do – or not do – that would make your life easier?
A. Please don’t let your children handle the animals. It’s dangerous for your kids and the animal. I know there is nothing more curious for a kid than seeing a wild animal up close, but it really isn’t safe. Do your best to keep any creature you find quiet and warm until it’s brought to the Center or our veterinarian’s office. Please don’t feed the wildlife. Did I already say that?
The Nan Pipestem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can be reached at 831-628-3877; please leave a message if you don’t get an immediate answer. Day works outdoors much of the day but checks messages often. Street address is 3175 Panoche Road; mailing address is P.O. Box 2244 Hollister, CA 95024; website is www.npwrc.org. More information is available at the Center’s table at the Hollister Farmer’s Market, held on Wednesday’s 3 to 7 p.m.
