Caring for Santa Barbara Wildlife

A young deer is treated for injuries after being hit by an automobile.

One of the organizations that Shiva's Center hopes to support via funding to offset costs - and continue this important service - is that provided by our 24 hour community hospital - C.A.R.E. C.A.R.E. Hospital’s doctors and staff routinely donate their time and expertise to Wildlife Care Network, a well known and respected local organization. Their goal is the rehabilitation and eventual release of the injured California wildlife that is brought to them. Their goal is always to treat and return their wildlife patients to the Wildlife Care Network for additional rehabilitation and/or release. If injuries are too severe and/or it is determined that an animal would not survive in its natural habitat, the next option they try to utilize the animal for education and/or conservation efforts. Unfortunately, sometimes the most loving and kind thing for severely injured animals is to provide humane euthanasia. Still, C.A.R.E. Hospital's treatment of wildlife remains is given the same respect as those of domestic animals with families. They are taken to Guardian Animal Care and once cremated are taken out to sea for burial.

An owl is treated for a broken wing.

C.A.R.E. Hospital and the Wildlife Care Network believes that only through proper education, and a compassion for and understanding of the importance of all creatures, will we thrive. We are all, creatures and people, interconnected. This is consistent with our core value of the human-animal bond and clearly reflects the value of our animal loving community. Offsetting the cost of wildlife care at the Hospital will eventually be funded by Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond (in turn supported by the kind citizens of Santa Barbara).

The staff at C.A.R.E. also seem to enjoy the work! It is remarkable how much of their skills, time, and equipment are given to such a worthy cause. The variety of critters that they've cared for includes hawks, sea birds, hummingbirds, owls, deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits and many others. If you'd like to support this very worthy cause, please donate to Shiva’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond. As a local, if you find injured wildlife during the day, please take them to the Wildlife Care Network now located near the OSH store in Goleta. After hours, weekends, and holidays, please take the animal to C.A.R.E. Hospital and/or call animal control for assistance.

IMPORTANT NOTE about SEA MAMMALS: All sea mammals are protected under state and federal laws. Only agencies authorized to handle and care for these animals should approach, move or re-locate an injured sea mammal. C.A.R.E. Hospital is not authorized to treat these animals; however, you may call Santa Barbara Animal Control for information on who to call for assistance.  

 

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