Cara Jan & Anna
Linus
Squirt
WOODY GOES TO REHAB
Last Wednesday, August 24th, I was going about my usual routine of putting out the food dishes we leave out for the many stray and feral cats who come for dinner. This routine has been going on for years. My husband, David, even built feeding station houses with roofs so the food doesn’t get wet if it rains. I put the food in special black trays like the ones you leave your dirty shoes in (can buy at Walmart or Ace Hardware for $4 to $5) and fill with water so the ants can’t get to the food. We even have fly trap containers we put in the center of the trays to keep the fly population to a minimum. Who wants to eat food with ants in it with flies buzzing around it — no one I know.
On this particular evening, a slight movement caught my eye as I walked to one of the stations. I looked down on the ground and spotted a young bird fluttering around trying to get up and fly, but to no avail. It was obviously injured.
With all the cats getting ready to come for their evening meal, I was not about to let this little bird become one of the entrees. My husband gingerly picked up the bird, which was a woodpecker, and we put it in one of our cat carriers.
The bird spent the night in the carrier in a room of its own, away from the many inside cats who call our home their home. It moved around much of the time, trying to flap its wings. The head stayed down next to the edge of the carrier. We both felt it was just a matter of time for the little woodpecker.
Not wanting to give up on our new feathered guest, I went online and found a vet who treats birds. The next morning bright and early and with carrier in hand, I entered the closest one. I was very sad about the bird already and did not want to have another death to think about. My brother had just passed away three days prior. I did feel, however, that the little bird did not have long to live.
The Veterinary Clinic I chose was amazing. They took the bird back immediately and came back a little while later with my carrier. I was expecting the worst. The tech informed me that the bird had a slight head trauma, but could and would be treated. They were even going to send him or her to a Wildlife Preserve for rehab and a new home. I was not charged anything for the visit.
So, of course, the moral to this new blog has to be, if you find injured wildlife and are not afraid to deal with it, find a vet and you too might just save a little life.
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