Kalyn & I were out on aSunday drive and shortlyafter our departure fromLos Osos toward San LuisObispo on Los OsosValley Road, we saw abird sitting in the centerlane and squawking atpassing cars (it remindedme of a dog).

Since the animal wasobviously injured and definitely stranded, wepromptly made a u-turn and pulled into the centerlane on the two-lane roadway. I jumped out to finda grebe fiercely fending off anything that came nearit, including my hands as I reached toward it.

I distracted the distressed bird with one handwrapped in my jacket while I plucked it up from theroad, jumped back into the truck and held it on mylap. Luckily, we live just a minute up the road wherewe stopped in our driveway to get a better handle

on the situation so the birdwould stop pecking aroundfrantically at me.

While there was no immediate,apparent injury to the bird, wedecided that since we were notthe experts on animal health, wereached out to my mother, Julie,who has previously rescued localanimals in the area.

She put her jacket over the bird’s head to help keepit calm and directed us to Pacific Wildlife Care. Wedrove it to their clinic in Morro Bay.

Luckily when we arrived, Cika at the front deskhelped out quickly and got the bird into the care itneeded! We learned that grebes can not fly fromland (they need water in order to take-off).

Thanks to Pacific Wildlife care for being so helpful toour situation and to all injured animals in our area!

Spring ReminderIn Memory of FionaSoupabration!New MembersAlice’s New HomeAnnual Meeting HighlightsReleases

SPRING 2019

WHAT’S INSIDE

giving wildlife a

PWC CALENDARContributor, Sponsor, Patron andBenefactor-level member’sReception/Tours given in December

The Board of Directors meets the 2nd

Tuesday of the month (4:30 PM)at the Rehab Clinic, Morro Bay

February 16Quarterly Leadership meeting of all“Leads” was held

February – MarchVolunteer training classes offered ina variety of topics:(ex. safe animal handling, ZoonoticDiseases, Baby BirdRoom protocols)

MarchMonthly Volunteer OpportunityOrientations offered. Sign-up onlineMonthly Hotline and Rescue-Transport Trainings offered

March 12-17SLO International Film FestivalPWC sponsoring: “Best Wildlife Film”in the Young Filmmakers ofTomorrow Competition

AprilMonthly Volunteer OpportunityOrientations offered. Sign-up onlineMonthly Hotline and Rescue-Transport Trainings offered

April 20Quarterly Leadership meeting of all“Leads”

MayMonthly Volunteer OpportunityOrientations offered. Sign-up onlineMonthly Hotline and Rescue-Transport Trainings offered

WHY IS THAT BIRD SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY? By Nathan Friedmann

Second Chance

Happy New Year! How quickly 2018 passed, a year marked with some firsts!! It feels like we were justselected as Nonprofit of the Year by CA Senator Bill Monning in his 17th District. Imagine PWC! Just a small blipon the radar of so many worthy nonprofits in his district, yet he found us! Amazing… Only two animal-relatednonprofits were selected in all of California, so definitely an honor. Our partnership with the SLO InternationalFilm Festival in sponsoring a youth award, The Wild World We Love, in the Young Filmmakers of Tomorrowcategory resulted in its first winner of this award, Logan Gilbert, a 6th grader from West Linn, Oregon. Inaddition, PWC sponsored a full-feature documentary, “The Cat That Changed America”, a film intended toeducate about issues facing wildlife today. This film was about the infamous LA cougar, P22, who lives withinan 8 square mile area of the Hollywood Hills in Southern California. We hope to bring this film back in 2019along with others. These firsts were in addition to 2,490 wildlife cases, 30,608 total volunteer hours, 46,169miles driven to rescue & transport wildlife, responding to 2,992 hotline calls, and 93 presentations by ourwildlife ambassadors reaching over 5,000 people.

Much gratitude to our generous and compassionate supporters—donors, members, staff and over 225volunteers. We ended the year on a positive note. We are fortunate to have retained the services of ourwildlife veterinarian, Dr. Shannon Riggs. We’ve worked diligently to bring a number of noteworthy events toSan Luis Obispo County as a means to inspire and educate—Meet the Raptors, Central Coast Wildlife Festivaland Morro Bay WILD to name a few.

Keep PWC utmost in your thoughts; 2019 has arrived with quite a punch!! We’re experiencing a heavy influx ofoiled seabirds with the recent storms, and baby season appears to be starting early … a baby bunny arrived lastweek and a baby hummingbird arrived yesterday!

Most importantly, share our mission, inspire others, pay it forward and in the words of Mahatma Ghandi, “Bethe change you want to see in the world.”

by Kimberly PerezTHE PRESIDENT’S PERCH

SPRINGREMINDERS

Welcome New Members & Donors (Sept – Dec 2018)Barbara Akle Jessica & Nathan Delaney Terry Hobson Sabrina Madden Timothy RutledgeShelby Alligood Arlene & Kent Driver Cosima Hopper Charles Main Donald Ryujin & Cynthia BreauxJulie Austin Jacqueline Eagan Maureen Husum Cate & Brooke Markowitz Paula SchroederApril & Lloyd Balkind Steve Ezzo Cletus Hyman Nancy & James McQueen Walter SchobIlona Baran Kathy Ferguson Jane Janise Kristin Miller Shiela SchraubHelen Barge Kathleen Fisch Farrah Johnson Oscar Munoz Patti Shay-DagenaisCasey Barge Treg Fischbach Ella Jolly Victoria Murtagh Judi SharpRay Belknap Allison Fishburn Penny & Thomas Jolly Mary Neal Joel SiegelMorgan Berden Jule Fitzpatrick Frances Jorgensen Roxanne Nolan Holly SlettelandCathy Bezek Lisa Franco Roberta Jorgensen Mary O'Brien Holly & Steven TeixeiraBarbara Bolton Jan Galeazzi Roberta & Joel Kelsch Bea & Bryan O'Meara Roberta ThompsonMarie Boutsen Ashley Gastineau Mrs. Korbin Naomi Oyler Courtney TuskanBarbara Boyer Timothy Glennon Jordan Kritzer Andre Peterhans & Donna Gallagher Donna & Scott UnderwoodRebecca Carey Paula Greene Kathleen Lambeth Lauren & Camryn Platte Patricia & Eric WagnerChristian Carvel Greenheart Farms Chris Larson Zoha Qader Alice WelchertLisa Wolf Chick Alice Griselle Joan Lassen Madison Rasmussen Jenna WhittedCharles Christian Sally & CA Grogg Paul Ledesma Pamela Rhoades John WilsonAndrew Clark Libby Harrison Jerry James Julie & Bob Rice Debbie YamashitaLauri Coats Katie Hemler Alicia Lindheimber Carolyn & James Rivaldi Brandi YeoKatherine Cole Kimberly Hernandez Molly Loberg Katelyn Rock Isobel YoungCika Cook Allen Hire & Robin Bell Emily Locher Thomas Rubenstein Brittany ZemlickAidan Dellinger Nancy Hobson Debe Loomis Scott Rucker Judy Zessin

Keep the wild creatures in thewild by taking theseprecautions

● Check trees & bushesfor nests beforetrimming.

● Walk your property tolook for ground nestsbefore mowing, weed-whacking or leafblowing.

● Trapping wildlife in thespring often results intheir young beingorphaned.

● You don't need to feedorphaned or injuredwildlife. They may be inshock and needveterinary assistance.

● Baby deer need to beleft where their motherhas safely stashedthem. Only if theywander around cryingdo they need rescuing.

DID YOU KNOW?If you are 70.5 years old andyou have an IRA (SIMPLE orSEP), you are legally required tomake a minimum withdrawal(RMD = required minimumdisbursement) each year. Thatrequired withdrawal is a taxableevent – EXCEPT when all orpart of that withdrawal isdonated to a qualified charity.Please consider giving to PWC!

PWC's Tax ID is: 77-0196350

SPECIAL THANK YOUSEdwin & Jeanne Woods FamilyFoundation for a $10,000 grant

and a $15,000 matchingchallenge grant for the Center

Director's services.

Dr. Joel Germond (CenterVolunteer and Board Member)for holding an Art Sale of hisceramics to benefit P.W.C.

raising over $3,000.00!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Jeri Roberts of the PWC Education Team introduced ournewest Education Ambassador, Ginger (a Barn Owl)

A close up of Ginger

A beautiful Dennis Curry study-printof “Oberon” (PWC’s Ed Ambassador,a Long-eared Owl) was presented toMcKaila Lewis, chosen as PWC’s first“Special Philanthropist.”

Attendees enjoyed PWC volunteer and Cal Poly graduatestudent, Ashley Wilson's presentation regarding herresearch on the effects of artificial light and noise onbirds and what we can do.

All photos by Joel Germond

ALICE’S NEW DIGSWe are pleased to report that Kelly and Arent Vandenheuvel have built a beautiful new enclosure for one of PWC’s newEducational Ambassador “Alice.” Alice, a Great-horned Owl, comes to PWC from a wildlife rehabilitation group in northernCalifornia who ceased their education program. Thank you Kelly and Arent for providing a beautiful new home for Alice.

Arent builds a new cage for Alice, aGreat Horned Owl.

▪ The Best of Show soup offered at the 8th AnnualSoupabration! came from the kitchen of DivineStreet Catering by Chef Gary Barker for his NewEngland-style Clam Chowder with Pacific shrimp.

▪ The People’s Choice Award went to Chef MattBeckett of Linn’s Restaurant in Cambria, for hisOrganic Bi-Colored Corn & Shishito PepperChowder with Monterey Bay rock shrimp.

▪ Linn’s Restaurant also won Best Bisque/Chowdersoup award with Chef Matt Beckett’s chowder.Honorable Mention went to The Black Cat ofCambria with their New England-style LobsterChowder with garlic-infused olive oil.

▪ Shine Café of Morro Bay won the BestVegan/Vegetarian soup award with Chef J’sMexican Pozole with hominy, tortilla strips andbraised jackfruit carnitas.

Honorable Mention went to Manta Rey of SanSimeon with their Minestrone Verde withpistachio pesto.

▪ Cavalier Coastal Kitchen of San Simeon won theBest Seasonal soup award with Chef Samuel Cots’Roasted Pumpkin Bisque with olive oil, microgreens & purple carrot foam.Honorable Mention went to Manta Rey againwith a second soup entry, roasted cauliflower withhazelnuts and bacon.

Thank you to these restaurants: The Black Cat, BlueSky Bistro, Cavalier Coastal Kitchen, Divine StreetCatering, Fig @ Courtney’s House, Linn’s of Cambria,Manta Rey Restaurant, Robin’s Restaurant, Shine Cafe& Thai Bounty. Thank you also to Cass Winery,Moonstone Cellars, Sculpterra Winery, Tin City CiderCo., Firestone-Walker Beer, Buttercup Bakery andMama Ganache Artisan Chocolates.

2018

PWC’s Annual Soupabration! fundraiser wasfortunate to have these esteemed judges blind-tastethis year’s soup submissions at the event in MorroBay in November. Seated: Terry Bayus (Foodwriter/producer); Matthew Beaudin (Executive ChefMonterey Bay Aquarium), Dakota Weiss (Co-ownerSweet Fin Poke). Back: Bruce Gibson (S.L.O. CountySupervisor), Consuelo Macedo (CulinaryColumnist,The Cambrian)

American Coot 4Anna's Hummingbird 5

Band-tailed Pigeon 1Barn owl 2

Black Crowned Night Heron 3Black Rat 7

Black-tailed Deer 2Bobcat 1

Botta's Pocket Gopher 1Brandt's Cormorant 3

Brown Pelican 2Budgerigar 1

Cackling Goose 1California Gull 5

California Newt 1Cedar Waxwing 1

Clark's Grebe 1Common Loon 3Cooper's Hawk 2

Eared Grebe 4Eurasian Collared-dove 26

European Starling 1Golden Crowned Sparrow 1

Great Horned Owl 2Grey Fox 1

Hermit Thrush 1Hooded Merganser 1

House Finch 2House Mouse 2

House Sparrow 1Least Bittern 1

Mallard 2Marbled Godwit 2

Northern Mockingbird 1Northern Raccoon 3

Osprey 1Pelagic Cormorant 1

Pied-billed Grebe 2Red Phalarope 1

Red-tailed Hawk 2Rock Pigeon 11Ruddy Duck 3

Sora 1Surf Scoter 1

Turkey Vulture 4Virginia Opossum 10

Virginia Rail 1Western Gray Squirrel 4

Western Grebe 21Western Grey Squirrel 1

Western Gull 5White-crowned Sparrow 3

Inside Alice’s new home.

RELEASESSeptember-December 2018

Total: 169

A HUGE SUCCESS!This year's Soupabration "Fund-a-Need" pledge-a-thon successfully raised over $13,074.00 formedical equipment for the Clinic (ex. blood analyzer, oxygen concentrator, centrifuge, surgery light,etc.) We thank all 38 members who pledged.

PWC’s miss ion i s to support San Lu i s Obi spo wi ld l i fe through rehabi l i ta t ion and educat iona l outreach.We env i s ion Pac i f i c Wi ld l i fe Care as an advocate for wi ld l i fe . By shar ing our exper iences, we insp i recommuni ty par t ic ipat ion to reduce harm to our wi ld ne ighbors .

Membersh ip /Dona t ions Save L i ves Board OfficersPresident: Kimberly PerezVice President: Marcelle BakulaSecretary: Joel GermondTreasurer: Bob Blakely

Board MembersCraig ChristakosKathleen Dillon

NewsletterEditor: Marcelle BakulaCopy Editor: John FitzRandolphLayout: Jeanette Stone

Thank you to all who donate tomake this newsletter possible.

pacificwildlifecare.org(805) 543-WILD (9453)

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSan Luis Obispo, CA

93403Permit No. 325

P.O. Box 1134Morro Bay, CA 93443

Yes, I would like to give wildlife a second chance!

Visit us online at www.pacificwildlifecare.org to set up a monthly subscription or pay by credit card

Name:________________________________________________________________________

Phone:____________________________ Email:_____________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________

City:_________________________________ State:______ Zip:___________ Date: _______

Please check: � New Membership�� Renewal�� Donation�� I would like to volunteerPlease mail completed form with check to Pacific Wildlife Care, PO Box 1134, Morro Bay, CA 93443

��Benefactor $3,000� ��Supporter $150��Patron $1,500� ��Advocate $60��Sponsor $600� ��Student/Senior/Volunteer $30��Contributor $300� ��Other ________________

I would like information on adding Pacific Wildlife Care to my will or trust.�

“Springtime is baby wildlife time! Read page 2 on how to ‘protect’ them!”

Kelly Vandenheuvel sadly reported that Fiona, PWC’s Ed Ambassador &surrogate mother (a Red-shouldered Hawk) died unexpectedly on February 1.Fiona had raised orphans every year for a decade: 24 in all! She was a nurturer,and always made sure the young she raised had plenty to eat, often timesfeeding each of her “babies” until their crops were full before she would eatherself. Fiona will be missed, we are all so sorry to see her go, but are gratefulfor her surrogacy. Thank you Kelly & Arent for providing a home for Fiona allthese years.

IN MEMORY OF FIONA