Wildlife Works Inc. PO Box 113 Youngwood, PA 15697 724-925-6862 wildlifeworks@comcast.net www.wildlifeworksinc.org

Winter Spring 2020

Red-Eared Sliders - Threat to Native Turtles

This is an appropriate time for us to mention the very real problem of Red-eared Sliders in local waters. This slider turtle is a threat to our native species, competing for habitat, food sources and nesting sites. They can also transmit parasites and diseases to which our na-tive turtles have no immunity. Trachemys s. elagans, the Red-eared Slider, has a unique broad red or orange stripe be-hind each eye. Younger individuals have numerous dark eyelike spots on the yellow plas-tron (bottom shell). Its home territories include the Mississippi valley and Illinois south to Tennessee, Kentucky and the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout its non-indigenous range, T. scripta is introduced primarily through pet releases and escapes, a situation that has contin-ued for decades. Red-eared Sliders were first observed in PA in 1996.

On December 27, we received two Mid-land Painted turtles from PA Fish & Boat Commission that were confiscated from a member of the public. Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are among the most common and recogniza-ble turtles that inhabit Pennsylvania’s wa-terways and wetlands. Painted turtles are appropriately named because of the com-bination of yellow, red, green, black and tan that appears on their shells, head and limbs. Most people who spend time along our waterways have surely seen Painted turtles basking on logs or rocks. Painted turtles prefer wetlands, ponds, lakes, ca-nals and other still or slow waters. Soft or mucky bottoms are preferred to rocks or gravel. Two subspecies, the Eastern

Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) and the Midland Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata), are found in Pennsylva-nia. While young, the painted turtle is basi-cally carnivorous, eating small fish, am-phibians, aquatic insects and crayfish; adults are more herbivorous, preferring a variety of aquatic plants. A fishing license is required to catch or take reptiles from the lands and waters of the Commonwealth. It is unlawful to pos-sess more than one Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Painted Turtle, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Map Turtle or Midland Painted Turtle. It is unlawful to possess any Bog Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Red-Bellied Turtle, Blanding's Turtle, Eastern Box Tur-tle, Spotted Turtle or Wood Turtle. And it is

unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or pos-sess the eggs of any reptile. Many turtles kept as pets soon become ill because of the lack of a proper diet, insuf-ficient heat, or from disease or parasites. Unfortunately, when pet turtles become ill, people often return them to the wild. This is an unwise practice because unhealthy individuals may be released into a healthy wild population, which risks spreading disease. In addition, if a turtle is released into some other area than where it was initially collected, it may not be adapted to survive in its new habitat. Unfortunately, the Painteds we received had been removed from just such a situa-tion of neglect. They were underweight and suffering from shell rot. With veteri-nary care to treat the disease, clean water, appropriate light and heat and a healthy diet, they are well on the road to recovery and should be able to be released later this Spring. Water turtles require vigilant care – they are dirty and labor intensive. They need frequent water changes, and become ill when they are not cared for properly. Addi-tionally, they can be asymptomatic carriers of salmonella, so children especially should not be handling or playing with them without strict supervision and proper hygiene. Every year, we get calls from folks trying to find homes for slider turtles that are no longer wanted, and unfortunately, there are simply no homes out there for the many Red-eared Sliders that need placed. Even more unfortunate is that folks who can’t place their unwanted turtles simply let them go into local waters. Think twice before you buy a turtle for a pet. Turtles can live a long time – often more than 20 years – and those cute little turtles can grow to the size of a dinner plate, requiring larger aquariums and more maintenance.

Rescued 2 Native Painted Turtles

Photo - Tina Moore, WWI Volunteer

Internet Photo

Page 2 Words from the Wild Winter/Spring 2020

Common Raven - Uncommon Rehab

Ravens are a species we don’t admit often here at WWI; there have only been a handful of them in our 29-year history, and unfortunately, most have come in too in-jured to save.

In mid-spring 2019, we received a raven from a power plant worker from the Ligo-nier area. On admission, we noted that this bird, although full size, was a juvenile. We could tell this by the vestigial pink gape flanges (see photo above) that it still had at the corners of its beak. Our exam revealed a badly fractured leg in the area between the knee and the hock joint called the tibia. We splinted the fracture and then it was waiting time.

When you are holding a raven in your hands, you realize just how magnificent they really are. Because we have such an

affinity here at WWI for crows, and by ex-tension, ravens, we wanted very badly for this to be a successful rehab. We knew that its family would remain in the area in which it was found for the rest of the sum-mer, would recognize this bird as kin, and a reunion was our goal.

After two weeks, the splint was removed and the bone had healed well, but the low-er leg just hung limp from the hock down. The foot was curled under and the bird could not bear any weight on the leg. On the advice of one of our vets, Dr. Michael Doornink DVM, DACVS-SA at PVSEC, we decided to give the healing process more time in the event a nerve had been im-pinged during the splinting process.

As the days went by, we began to see incremental improvement until the raven

was fully weight-bearing. But, the foot was still curled. Not giving up, the foot was placed into a “sandal” type bandage that held the toes in a normal position. Amaz-ingly, after two more weeks, the raven was using its injured leg normally. What a re-lief!

Our joy was short-lived, however. Once outside in an aviary, it became evident that the raven had a wing droop on the same side as the leg injury. Radiographs showed a healed hairline fracture that was missed on our initial exam. The wrist and elbow were so stiff, the young bird was unable to fully extend the wing. So, back to the drawing board.

This poor “kid” was brought back into the hospital so we could do twice daily physi-cal therapy to stretch joints, muscles and connective tissue that were affected by the injury.

It would be nice to say the young raven was a real trooper about all the handling, but it most definitely was not. It croaked and cawed and bit us repeatedly with its enormous beak and we had many bruised arms and fingers to show for our effort. Nevertheless, I was determined to get this raven walking and flying again. Finally, after several setbacks, we put the raven in our raptor barn in the continuous flyway and lo and behold, we had flight!

There was one final obstacle we faced when the time came for release. The pow-er plant where the raven was found would not give us access to any part of their property for the release. Animal care staff-er Judi Wilson was wonderful and did sev-eral recon trips to find another site nearby where we knew the raven family was still hanging around.

On July 13, 2019, Judi took the now com-pletely healthy juvenile raven back to its home turf and released it. The youngster never looked back as it flew into the wood-ed area she picked out for it, and we feel sure it was reunited with its family. The moral of the story is that sometimes, it pays to never give up.

Raven Facts Ravens are large and formidable birds. At 21-27” they are the largest of the crow family and are the largest passerine.

Ravens are all black with a luster of purples and greens; they have a heavy black beak and large nostrils hidden by bristly tufts of feathers.

Ravens are magnificent flyers, able to hold position motionless in heavy gales; they can also hover like the American Kestrel.

Ravens are intelligent and crafty, quick to learn and profit from experi-ence.

Ravens are very sensitive to human persecution and learn to stay out of the range of guns.

Ravens are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion and a variety of small creatures like frogs, insects, minnows, eggs and young of song-birds, as well as berries in the fall and scraps left at picnic sites.

Unlike crows, ravens are wilderness birds, preferring high altitudes above 3000 feet.

In PA, they are often found in the Ap-palachians. Their nests are usually built 45-80 feet up in the crotches of coniferous trees or on sheltered cliffs and in crevices. Both males and females participate in the nest building and the male brings food to the female on the nest. Ra-vens mate for life. The young leave the nest 35-42 days after hatching.

Notice the soft gape flanges

Winter/Spring 2020 Words from the Wild Page 3

The Eastern American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus)is widely distributed in PA. It is primarily nocturnal and spends its days sheltered beneath piles of leaves or burrowed under loose rocks. Its nighttime habits prevent it from being seen very often. This is the common “hoptoad,”so-called because of its hopping from one area to another rather than leaping as frogs do. This species of toad can tolerate colder temperatures than its closest relative, the Fowler’s Toad. Characteristic of other toads, it can secrete toxins from skin glands that can irritate mucous mem-branes. People do not get warts from handling toads.

We don’t admit many amphibians into WWI. The pictured rehab toad came in on December 1. It was sitting in a stupor on a walking trail in Friendship Parklet. The finders recognized that the toad should have still been hibernating and brought it to us for safe-keeping. On admission, we discovered that our new patient had some kind of wounds or trauma on its back, so on the advice of Dr. Craig Hill of Green Hill Veterinary, we started antibiotic injections and topical treatment. The toad was not appreciative of our efforts and urinated on us every time it was handled. Unfortunately for the toad, we were not deterred.

In the wild, toads consume large amounts of insects. It is skilled at catching bugs aided by its sticky tongue. Fastened at the front instead of the rear, the tongue can be flipped out and ex-tended two inches from the mouth.

American toads will be emerging from hibernation as we write this, and males will be calling for mates. Singing is performed night and day. Air is pulled through the mouth and into the throat sac, which can expand to nearly the size of its head. Wa-ter is required for breeding, even if it is only a filled ditch or rain pool. Females are capable of laying 4,000 to 20,000 eggs! Mat-ing occurs from March to July. Eastern American Toads are mature in two or three years.

As our newsletter goes to press, we are thrilled to note that our toad patient responded to treatment, is eating heartily all of the worms, crickets and mealworms we provide and will soon be ready for release. It has been an awesome experience for all of the staff to have a bird’s- eye- view of this remarkable wildling, and we are thrilled to get the toad back where it belongs, so it can fulfill its biological imperative to breed, as toads and other amphibians have been doing for over 200 million years.

American Toad

On August 19, good friends and wildlife lovers, Cathie and Tom Donohoe, found an injured male Goldfinch under their feeders and quickly gathered him up and brought him to WWI. His right wing was damaged and the Donohoe’s wondered if it was a neighbor’s cat that caused the injury.

Whatever the cause, we splinted the wing and started the bird on antibiotics. As days went by, we found that this little guy was a master escape artist, pushing through small openings in carriers and slipping out of our grasp when handled. We finally moved him into housing that had no possible ways to get out. Over the two weeks in a splint, the wing showed signs of loss of blood to the injured tip, and to our dismay, that area sloughed off and left us with a non-releasable bird.

The American Goldfinch is one of the more beautiful and inter-esting birds that visit backyard feeders. It’s always a joy to see the males in their black and bright yellow nuptial plumage, look-ing like flying dandelions as they move to and fro. Year-round residents in most of North America, they commonly feed in flocks during fall and winter and are attracted to thistle and sunflower. Goldfinches come to feeders all year.

Breeding and nesting last from mid-July to mid-September, timed to take advantage of the abundance of plants that go to seed in late summer and early fall. Goldfinches have 1-2 broods per sea-son, usually producing five eggs. Nests can be found in upright forks of leafy bushes or trees in open areas, either marshy or near water. The female builds the nest using bark strips from weeds and vines, lining it with thistle flowers and webbing from caterpillar nests. The male flies along on these collecting trips or remains perched near the nest.

One study found female Goldfinches spend ninety-five percent of their time on the nest during incubation. This constant attention is matched by few of our common birds. The main reason she can do this is the male’s regular visits to the nest to feed her. When the female is hungry, she gives a light “teeteeteeteetee” call. Hearing this, the male perches near the nest. There, she joins him and consumes large quantities of partially digested seeds, then returns to the nest. After they hatch, the young are primarily fed by the male because the female has already started a new nest for her second brood.

So, the bad news was that the little Goldfinch in our care was never going to be able to survive if released because his flight abilities were limited by his injury. The good news was that we have a relationship with the Columbus Zoo and knew they might be interested in having him as part of their natural outdoor native bird exhibit. We contacted them and were so happy to learn that they were willing to take this little bird, where he would join four others already at the zoo.

Although most of the wildlife we receive that are deemed non-releasable must be humanely put to sleep, there are opportuni-ties for placement in certain cases. For this particular Goldfinch, at least, there was a happy ending for him and for us.

American Goldfinch

Internet Photo

Page 4 Words from the Wild Winter/Spring 2020

Dear Readers,

Lead in our natural environs is a real problem. Waterfowl and other birds ingest lead shotgun pel-lets, bullet fragments and lead fishing sinkers. The ingestion of lead has been responsible for major die-offs primarily affecting ducks, geese and swans. Other upland game birds like doves, turkeys, pheas-ants and quails are also affected. Bald and Golden Eagles, as well as other birds of prey, are coming into rehab centers in critical condition from feeding on prey containing lead.

Lead is toxic to animal and humans when high enough concentrations are absorbed by the body. In birds, the pieces of lead that are in their digestive tracks erode and are absorbed by the bloodstream.

In the rehab setting, diagnostic testing for lead levels in suspicious cases can be expensive and the treatment – chelation – is intensive and often inef-fective because the birds are so debilitated by the time they are found. Wildlife rehabbers are seeing more and more cases of lead toxicity in eagles, red-tails, ospreys and other raptors. It is especially dis-turbing at this time as Bald Eagles are really mak-ing a resurgence in western PA.

The use of lead shot for waterfowl has been banned in the U.S. since 1991. Consideration is be-ing given to also ban lead projectiles in upland and big game hunting. In the meantime, everyone who cares deeply about the well-being of any and all wildlife will take measures to decrease the presence of lead in our local waterways and forests. Start using lead-free sinkers when you fish and use non-lead projectiles when you hunt.

ASK PROFESSOR POSSUM

Editor’s Note – Professor Possum

reminds folks not to buy ducklings or

release domestic ducks and geese

into the wild. More info can be found

in our 2019 Winter/Spring newsletter.

Contact the office for a reprint. Internet Photo

Winter/Spring 2020 Words from the Wild Page 5

Know When and How to Help Baby Birds - It’s a fact, a large percentage of young animals rescued by well-intentioned people don’t need help. Out of the thousands of baby birds we have admitted to WWI, many would’ve had a greater chance of survival if they were left alone or moved to a safe place. Knowing the difference between a nestling and a fledgling is a key factor in determining whether or not to intervene. A fledgling is no longer a baby. It is a young bird in the process of learning to fly. These birds try, but don’t quite get into the air. Instead, they end up on the ground, hopping and fluttering about. Nestlings, on the other hand, do not yet have flight feathers. They may be un-feathered or partially feathered with some skin visible. Fledgling - If you see a baby bird on the ground that seems to have all of its feathers, but still looks a little downy, it is a fledgling. Unless you know of an immediate threat such as a dog, a cat, children, or a busy road, you should not approach the bird, but watch it from a distance. Watch and wait. Make sure the parents are checking on it every few hours. If the fledgling is other-wise healthy but there is an immediate threat move the fledgling to the safety of a nearby dense shrub or tree. If the fledgling is wet or listless or if it is still where you placed it after several hours, call WWI for further advice. Nestling - If you find a nestling, examine it carefully. If the bird is not injured, is alert, dry and warm, carefully pick it up and return it to the nest. Touching a baby bird will not keep the parents away, but do not handle the baby a lot. Remember, their bones are fragile. If you cannot re-nest the bird, or if you are sure the parent is dead or if the bird is cold, wet, and/or listless, place the bird in a small container lined with tissue, keeping the legs and wings snug to its body. Cover a heating pad (set on low) with a folded towel, then place the substitute nest on the towel and pad. Again, do not attempt to feed or water the bird as this could be fatal. Call WWI as soon as possible.

Baby Bunnies - Wild cottontail rabbits "nest" in shallow holes dug in the ground by the mother rabbit. Nests are often found in lawns, gardens or under shrubs. The mother, called a doe, lines the shallow hole with fur pulled from her body and covers it and her babies with a mixture of dry grass and twigs to hide it from predators. The doe feeds her babies 2-3 times a day, once be-fore early morning (dawn) and a couple of times right after it gets dark (dusk). She squats over the nest so the babies can reach up and nurse her milk. The mother does NOT continually sit on the nest or stay with the baby bunnies. Doing so would signal carnivorous (meat-eating) birds and animals (like owls and foxes) as to where her babies are living. By staying away from the nest, the doe protects her young.

If you know where a nest is, mow around - not over - the site. If you’ve made your discovery after the fact, re-cover the nest with the disturbed debris from the nest top or other suitable material such as dry grass and leaves. Baby bunnies that have been removed from the nest can be returned if they are healthy, uninjured, warm, dry, and no flies are present. Replacement should be done without the presence of children or pets. Cover the nest. Use twigs or short pieces of yarn and criss-cross the pieces over the cover. Use these as markers to identify the nest site for future mowings. Remember, the doe visits the nest at dusk, dawn, and sometimes in the mid-dle of the night, so watching for her during the day is futile. If the markers you left have been disturbed the next day, it is an indication that she has returned to feed, and all is well. Keep Cats Indoors - Every year, WWI receives numerous calls from cat owners about animals injured by their pets. Many are admitted and most do not survive. Sadly, it is pet cats' instinct to hunt – not real hunger – that usually drives them to kill wildlife. It's a fallacy that cats need to roam outside to be happy, and the common strategy of putting bells on their collars has been found to be ineffective for alerting wildlife to their danger. Allowing pet cats to roam outside is not just bad for backyard birds and wild-life, it's bad for the cats too. Outdoor cats are exposed to disease as well as the dangers of traffic, traps, poisons, abuse, and attacks from other animals. In fact, outside cats frequently don't live longer than five years, while indoor cats often live to be 17 or more.

Most people’s immediate response when they see a snake is to kill it or run. But not all snakes are bad. In fact, most of them are really quite beneficial because they eat in-sects and rodents. Some even eat other ven-omous snakes!. If you love wildlife, it is your responsibility to know the venomous and nonvenomous snakes in your area and the type of terrain they prefer. Type of Snakes -There are several dis-tinguishing features between venomous and nonvenomous snakes. A venomous snake’s head is somewhat

triangular whereas a nonvenomous snake’s head is more oval.

A venomous snake’s pupil is elliptical-shaped like a cat while the pupil of a non-venomous snake is round.

What To Do If You See A Snake - Stay calm. If possible, take a picture from a safe distance. Remain calm. Snakes are more afraid of people than we are of them. They only bite when they feel threatened. Here are some helpful facts to appease your worries: Snakes can only strike half of their

length. Most venomous snakes will give you a

warning before striking. Don’t run! You’ll scare the snake more. Don’t make any sudden moves and slowly back away.

If you see the snake before it sees you stomp the ground.

If you see a snake in your yard it is prob-ably harmless. Leave it alone or you may spray it with water from a safe distance.

If you are bitten by a snake, even a harmless snake, seek medical aid immediately.

Nonvenomous

Eastern Garter Snakes are the most commonly sighted snake in PA. They feed on frogs, toads and can be found in moist vegetation. Black Rat Snakes feed on lizards, mice, rats, copperhead snakes and more. They like a variety of habitats. Northern Water Snakes look like the Cottonmouth and Copperhead snakes that are highly venomous. They eat a variety of ani-mals with a preference for eating pest species such as mice. They’re mainly at home in and around water. Ringneck Snakes eat small rodents. They often find their way into houses under small gaps in doors. Black Racer Snakes eat animals which are smaller than them and tend to live in areas that are wooded.

Venomous

Timber Rattlers are the most commonly found venomous snake seen in PA. They are found near rock croppings and are not commonly found in urban or suburban areas. Rat-tlers eat small animals.

Copperheads can be found near rocks, ledges and rock slide in decidu-ous forest, fields and clear-ings. They can be aggres-sive when disturbed. Their main prey are rodents. Both the Copperhead and Timber Rattler are on the Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commissions list of Species of Greatest Con-servation Need.

Please educate your-self further on how to identify and distinguish venomous and nonven-omous snakes, espe-cially if you enjoy the outdoors and spend time in wooded areas.

Good Snake Bad Snake

Page 6 Words from the Wild Winter/Spring 2020

In 2019, we admitted 778 wildlings - the most we’ve admitted in one year by far - 10% more than 2018 and a 56% increase from 2017. This huge in-crease is putting an even greater demand on WWI staff and volunteers than what we usually experience with an average year. With 12 hour days and a minimum of two volunteers per 4-hour shift, WWI needs 40-50 animal care volunteers to care for the 500+ wildings we admit each year. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and will be trained.

Being an animal care volunteer is hard work but very rewarding. Volunteers have up-close experiences, learn to identify many native and migratory wildlings, and learn about their behavior. All in all, it is an experience that is hard to come by in this area. A number of past volunteers now have suc-cessful careers working with animals.

Interns - For years, WWI’s internship program has been helping stu-dents with an interest in veterinary medicine, biology, wildlife management, environmental education, zoology, and animal husbandry, among others. Our internship program is just another legacy that WWI can be proud of and we encourage other high school and college students with an interest in wildlife in any capacity to contact us for more information.

Animal Care Volunteer Duties

Priority is feeding, medicating, and treating all wildlings.

Read log and charts prior to any care.

Make diets and prepare food, doc-umenting any food shortage in log. Morning shifts defrost food for raptors.

Feed, medicate and treat all in-side and outside wildlings per di-rections, refreshing and cleaning cages. Log your activities, being sure to document any behavior change.

Do dishes and laundry, document-ing any shortage of supplies.

During “baby season” (April through Sept) nearly 70% of the work is indoor work.

Almost 50% of your time will be spent cleaning and changing cag-es.

There is written protocol for every facility usage - Intensive Care Unit, sinks, laundry, aviaries, cag-es, etc.

At the end of the shift, if time al-lows, replenish food dishes for next shift.

Novice volunteers will not be han-dling mammals or high risk wild-lings. With demonstrated desire and aptitude, volunteers can in-crease hands-on skills over time.

Animal Care Volunteers Needed - Interns Welcomed

Elizabeth Ringstad, volunteer and part time Animal Care Technician, secures a Canada Goose during treatment.

Once again, we come to you as spring ap-proaches and new life will be blossoming all around us. Folks will be spending more time out-doors and wildlife will be birthing and hatching their young (many already have). It’s an uplifting time of the year for Wildlife Works, and we have many reasons to celebrate and be grateful.

For the last two years, Morgan Barron has been interning here in order to become a licensed PA rehabber. This is a difficult process that requires

passing an arduous test and an oral interview with the PA Game Commission and the PA Rehabilitation Council. We are excited and proud to announce that in September Morgan achieved her permit for mammals and non-raptor avian species. Congratulations, Mor-gan! Her plans are to build facilities in Mt. Pleasant, under the umbrella of WWI, focusing on rehabbing Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and white-tailed fawns. This will be a huge step for WWI and our communities, as we have not been able to provide for these kinds of wildlife in our location in Youngwood. In fact, there is no one rehabbing fawns in western PA, so this is huge.

On another front, last summer, thanks to your tremendous re-sponse to our summer appeal, we were able to hire staffer, Eliza-beth Ringstad, to work part-time to fill the shifts that it was becom-ing impossible to cover by myself. Elizabeth worked many hours over and above those she was getting paid for in order to be able to be here with a frequency that would allow her to truly be men-tored in ways that the average once-a-week volunteer cannot. Her passion and commitment became so obvious to us that we began to intensively train her and place her in increasing positions of re-sponsibility and trust. It was time for us to take a leap of faith and make an investment in the future of WWI, and that decision has been nothing but encouraging and exciting.

Additionally, in the last year, we have recruited a number of young people whose goals include going into fields focusing on the envi-ronment and wildlife, including working towards becoming rehab-bers. Again, it is an investment in the future of WWI to mentor and facilitate as many eager young folks as possible who are commit-ted. As I grow older, it is abundantly clear that my direct involve-ment simply cannot remain at the levels I have managed in the past.

On top of that good news, we recently took another giant leap into our future. WWI has purchased 1+ acres directly adjacent to our existing property. Although it is going to take much effort and fund-ing, the tentative plans are to build caging specifically to house educational animals that can be viewed on site, and develop an open-air amphitheater in order to bring the public to us for out-reach.

Finally, several opportunities for fund-raising are in the works, in-cluding being chosen by the Anthrocon group as their 2020 charity at their convention in Pittsburgh in July. We are also planning a re-vamped version of our Fall fund-raising gala in early December – details to be announced. We are the grateful recipients of several bequests from supporters. Wow!

So, if the word “exciting” has been used a lot in this missive, it’s because it is. I have rarely felt this good going into the newest ver-sion of baby season. Our eyes and hearts are future-forward for 2020. With all of the love and support from our staff and our com-munities, nothing but great things are coming.

Come along with us and continue to help

Wildlife Works endure well into the future!

Winter/Spring 2020 Words from the Wild Page 7

Letter from WWI Executive Director & Senior Rehabber

(Unaudited)

Income Animal Admissions 10,466 General Donations 34,593 Memorials & Honoriums 3,955 United Way 2,510 Education Programs 1,130 Fund Raising Appeal Letters 17,435 On-Line Giving 1,373 Adopt-A-Wildling 710 Calendar Sales 24,907 Raffles 9,626 Other Fundraising 3,855 Total Fundraising 57,906 Grants/Estate 17,300 Misc 95 Membership Dues 6,201 Total Income $134,156

Expense Continuing Education 845 Fund Raising Expense 23,253 Insurance, Permits 3,054 Misc Expenses 839 Office Supplies 908 Payroll 54,820 Postage 429 Program Animal Care 39,481 Public Education 4,127 Total Program 43,608 Travel 1,096 Utilities, Rent 14,955 Total Expense $143,807

2019 Financial Report In Memory of: ~Mandy Bennion~

Patricia & Mark Fennema Marcia Osborne

~Rusty Blahovec (pet)~ Marcia Osborne Carol Sillaman

~Ned Caughey~ Beth A. Ujevich Beckner

~Martha Craig~ Gerald & Anna Quinn

~Riley Gardner-Socher (pet)~

Marcia Osborne

~John Ginnevan~ Rick & Wendy Boehm Cathie & Tom Donohoe Carol & John Durco Patricia & Mark Fennema Mike & Michael Kustra Marcia Osborne Mary Pescatore Sue & Dale Wiseman

~Jack (Pet)~ N. G. Bridges & D.L. Muir

~Wayne Jones~

Marian & Michael Arndt James & Sydney Buxton Anthony & Cathy Casagrande Daniels Excavating Carol DaRold

Rita DeBlock Elmer & Sylvia Foley Sandra Gabor Deborah & Jeff Handlan Matthew & Stephanie King Jeanette Lendl Lisa Lendl-Lander

Erin & Troy Markovich Larry & Deb Messich Richard Myers Patricia Pacelli John & Deborah Paouncic Deborah Studen Paulovich Paula Petrulak Ralph & Beverly Resnick Kathleen Rosatti Barry & Mary Kay Ruffner Louise Shawley George & Beenie Smith Sara Jane Studen The Pittsburgh Foundation Rich & Barbara Ufner Carol Watkins Rita Weir Brenda & Dave Worst

~Barbara Jozefov~ Kathy Jozefor & Tom Walton

~Ralph E. Leeper (boyfriend)~

Sharon Potochnik

~Chuck & Sonny Lowery~ Janet Lowery

~Anthony Milito~ Diane Kam Linda Rocchi

~Duane Molnar~ Wendy DiFonso

~The Pert~ Janet Lowery

~Monica Pinkey~

Janice Moore

~Rufus~ Judy & Rick Kemper

~Honey Senko (Pet)~ Donna Gunther & Ken Kaleida

~Sharon~ Charles Hendrickson

~Susie M. Stiner~ Michael & Sharon Matich

~Christopher Valesky~ Ethel Barbus

~Laverne Varrato~ Darlene Smetak

~Willow (Pet)~ N. G. Bridges & D.L. Muir

~John S. Wolk (Uncle)~ Ethel Barbus

In Honor of: Betsy Kennon, DVM

Nancy Schwarzkopf

~Michael (grandson) Lorrie & Tom Smearcheck

~Jeanne Minkus~ Dollar Bank

~Travis & Ethan Mudery (grandsons)~

Dan & Sharon Miles

~Jack Persin~ Diane & Dennis Persin

~Doug Replogle B-day~ Sylvia & Harry Replogle

~Bob Stewart~ Doris Johnson

~Susan Tatum~ Mary Chester Wasko

~Liz Williams~ Jill Leasure

Memorials & Honoriums

2019 Annual Report (Pages 7-10)

Page 8 Words from the Wild Winter/Spring 2020

Mammals Virginia Opossum, 100 Least Shrew, 1 Eastern Mole, 2 Eastern Cottontail, 149 Eastern Chipmunk, 8 Grey Squirrel, 64 Fox Squirrel, 4 Red Squirrel, 21 S. Flying Squirrel, 11 Deer Mouse, 6 White-footed Mouse, 3 House Mouse, 2 Porcupine, 1

Total Mammals 372

* WWI can triage native RVS mammals before transfer to rabies-vector licensed rehab facilities.

Native Birds Canada Goose, 13 Wood Duck, 7 Mallard Duck, 26 Ring-necked Pheasant, 1 Turkey, 5 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Green Heron, 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Bald Eagle, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Cooper’s Hawk, 3 Broad-winged Hawk, 2 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 23 American Kestrel, 3

Herring Gull, 1 Killdeer, 1 Rock Dove, 9 Mourning Dove, 38 Great Horned Owl, 5 Barred Owl, 2 Eastern Screech-Owl, 11 Common Nighthawk, 2 Chimney Swift, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 7 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 Hairy Woodpecker, 2 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Northern Flicker, 5 Pileated Woodpecker, 3 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Blue Jay, 8 American Crow, 4 Common Raven, 2 Barn Swallow, 4 Cliff Swallow, 1 Tufted Titmouse, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, 3 House Wren, 3 Carolina Wren, 4 Golden-Crowned Kinglet, 1 Eastern Bluebird, 1 Wood Thrush, 1 American Robin, 35 Gray Catbird, 2 Cedar Waxwing, 5 Yellow Warbler, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, 1 Northern Cardinal, 17 Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, 1 Indigo Bunting, 2 Red-winged Blackbird, 1 Common Grackle, 5 Brown-headed Cowbird, 1 Baltimore Oriole, 2 Purple Finch, 1

House Finch, 8 American Goldfinch, 3 Unknown Hatchling, 9

Total Native Birds 317

Introduced Birds European Starling, 33 House Sparrow, 23

Total Introduced Birds 56

Domestic Birds Indian Runner Duck, 2 Buff Duck, 2 Muscovy Duck, 4 Rouen, 1 Chicken, 1 Khaki Campbell, 2

Total Domestic Birds 12

Reptiles Eastern Box Turtle, 9 Midland Painted Turtle, 2 Snapping Turtle, 5 American Toad, 4 Red Eared Slider, 1

Total Herps 21

2019 REHAB STATISTICS

Delores Amorino Brooke Baldonieri Morgan Barron Suzanne Borza Carisa Byich Allison Checkeye Evan Clarke-Deaver Justin Concannon Jillian Croce Julie Cursi Carol DaRold Wendy Davis Carol Durco Jessica Evanchak Pat Fennema Emmy Ferrari Nicana Garmon Sonya Gower Kathleen Grkman Nicole Hinerman Gabby Jablonski Trish Jones Stephanie King Nick Kozinko Liz Kuniega Jill Leasure Hannah Leszczynski Monica Leuthold Sarah Maidment Delaney Martin

Brian Martz Kristy Mathews Chapin Meny Joelle Miele Olivia Moore Tina Moore Abigail Noel Marcia Osborne Mary Pescatore Angie Pompa Kayla Rack Kaitlynn Raneiri Elisah Rehard Hanna Rhoads Elizabeth Ringstad Jaime Rininger Mary Rossman

Amy Scarnati Maddy Sheedy Julie Simon Jake Slapinski Sarah Smallwood Sandy Sten Lynn Stewart Joanne Thornburg Abby Uhrinek Julian Upholster Pam Valla Kathy Welsh Tara Wills Judi Wilson Ron Yannacci Bonnie Zaucha

2019 EDUCATION PROGRAMS

WWI’s “Wild Neighbors” education program is available to any group. The program may include a slide show, rescue “do’s and don’ts” and the natural history of our wild neighbors. Educational animals are sometimes included. In 2019, twenty -four programs, addressing 2,195 individuals, mostly children, were presented:

Centerville Greensburg Partial Program -14 Covered Bridge 4-H Club - 50

Cub Scout Troop #370 - 34 Derry Twp Agricultural Fair - 20 Excela Health Day Camp - 50

Golden Heights Personal Care - 32 Headstart @ Maxwell Elementary - 22

Headstart @ McCullough Elementary - 14 Headstart @ St. Paul's Church - 24

Maxwell Elementary Earth Day - 440 Merakey Autism Center - 24

Metzgar Elementary Kindergarden -60 Mt. View 4-H Club - 24

Mt. View Grade 4 Girl Scouts - 9 Norwin Girl Scouts - 52

Parentwise 24th Ice Cream Blast- 300 Read Across America, Southmoreland Elementary - 90

Ready Steps Preschool - 35 Southmoreland Elementary 3rd Grade - 158

WCCC Campus Children’s Center - 40 Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Nature Camp - 75 Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Santa Event - 100

Yough Middle School Science Fair - 500 Young at Heart Group - 28

In addition to Wild Neighbors, WWI also educates the public through our publications, press releases, and hundreds of phone calls to our facility with wildlife-related questions.

Animal Care Volunteers

TOTALS

Wildlings Admitted - 778 Wildlings Released - 297

Nontreatables - 275

Release Rate 2019 – 59%* Avg Cost Per Wildling - $50

*Does not include “nontreatable” wildlings that died within 24 hours.

Margaret Raphael Charitable Trust Avangrid Foundation

Patricia & Mark Fennema Frontstream The Patricia Jacobina Family Kathleen Yusko

First Evangelical Lutheran Church Thomas & Billie Ann Moser Pat Palestra R. K. Mellon Family Foundation Harry & Sandie Ryan Judith Wilson

Aeolus Wind Power IV LLC Avangrid Inc Benevity Community Fund Gregg & Dana Bethune Botanical Society of WC Pauline & Craig Cunningham Rita & Michael Dorobish John & Nancy Fiorina George Socher & Rebecca Gardner Anita Lampus Dennis & Mary Law Mariscotti Insurance Agency The Pittsburgh Foundation Mary Ann & Ron Zdrojkowski

ARC Technologies Rosann & David Barr Michele Belak Andrea & Bill Bennett Mary Ann & John Brenkus Bill & Darlene Callaghan Judy Caranese James Clayton & Mary Catherine Motchar Scott Conway Julie Cursi Jeanne & William Downey Christine Fallat First Energy Flynn's Tires of PA Giant Oaks Garden Club Patrick & Lynn Gurrentz Bob & Cindy Harlan Sally & Don Hayward Nancy Keegan Judith Knapp & Rick Neil Joseph Mangione Jean & Jerry Martin Marcia Osborne Dave & Gigi Patrignani Mary & Joe Pianko Dr & Mrs. Lloyd Plummer Linda Rocchi Karen & Ron Rothrauff Marcella Sarson Joy & Nick Studley Rebecca & Jim Thomas Tina & Rob Thomas Tracy & Roger Tinkey Kathy Jozefor & Tom Walton Bonnie Zaucha

Donna Anderson Louise Anderson Anthony & Kathy Angelo Animal Care & Welfare Inc Nick & Emily Aubitz Barbara Ausman Karen & Jason Barnhart Charlie Bashioum Dr. Joseph Bencloski Barb & Les Botkin Bernadette Braszo Bevery Braverman Susan & Terry Buchanan Jaime Byler Marsha & Bob Callaro Daniel Cappo Mark Cipriani Joyce Clohessy Linda & Bernie Cramer Jillian Croce James Daniels Daniels Excavating Pat Davis Grant Dinsmore Dollar Bank Russell Douglas Janyce & Barbara Eade Dennis Falke Leslie Fennell Elmer & Sylvia Foley Bernadette Fondy Tom & Margie Forbes Louisa & Ronald Fordyce Susan Frost Benzo Thomas Gallagher Christina Gerstel Sue K Gibbs Judy Gilligan Girl Scout Trp 20216 Carissa Glessner Golden Heights Personal

Care Deb Goodman Patricia & David Greene Greenridge Garden Club Michelle & Thomas Gricks Kathleen Nelis & Barb Gunter Daniel Halden Deborah & Jeff Handlan Richard Hensler Mark & Michelle Herron Elsie Lampl & Benjamin Huber Joyce Hudson Mara Hurwitt Huth Technologies Marlene Ingraham Robert Jackman Janet Jackson-Wentzel Martha Jacobs D. Scott Jones Joda Jones Donna Gunther & Ken Kaleida Diane Kam Cheryl & Dennis Karol Kyle Karwatski Amy Kaylor John & Linda Keffer Judy & Rick Kemper Russell & Karen Kern Genevieve & Al Klingensmith Allana & J.R. Kondisko Melissa Trak & Adam Kupec Adam Kurta Latrobe Specialty Steel Co Jeanette Lendl Sandy Levandosky Theresa Liu Alberta & John Lizza Janet Lowery Brittany Luczki Joanne Madden Patricia & James Maines Howard Markle Jr. VMD Rev. Robert & Sharon Marks Cynthia & Mark Marshall McDain Golf Center Ed & Susan Meadows Karen Merlino Larry & Deb Messich Carlo Micozzi Dan & Sharon Miles Ron Miller Carol & John Mock Vince & Shannon Morich Bette Morton Kimberly Moss Andy & Lori Mozina- Ogurchak N. G. Bridges & D.L. Muir Beth & AJ Mullen Jana Mullen Daniel & Barbara Murphy Nancy & Michael Murphy Richard Myers John & Joyce Nalevanko Carla Namie New Stanton Methodist Church Leslie Nutting Gina & Eric Ober Mary Ann & Robert Pecarchik Pennsylvania Physical Medicine Petagogy Paula Petrulak Marilyn & Bernard Poole Denise & Robert Price Earl & Cecelia Price Karen Pushic Penny Puss Gerald & Anna Quinn Cheryl & Theodore Richardson Philip Paulone & Katherine Ringstad Alexis & Jon Rittenberger Donna Roberts Gail & Harry Rohrbacher Rose Marie & James Rosensteel Elizabeth Russell Dot & Rhett Schlegel & Children Ann & James Schuck Gene & John Sedlak Judith & Wayne Silvania Dean & Betty Simons Elaine & Dan Smartnick George & Beenie Smith Jeanne & Del Smith Rhonda Smith Southmoreland School District Susan & James Spallino LaVonne & John Staney & Nicole Auer Sandy & Robert Sten Karen & Robert Stewart Sandra & Jeff Stewart George & Carol Sweigard Janet Tetil Amy Tiani Trico Welding Co Inc Dr. Robert Tronzo Sandra Smith and Susan Turell Barry & Kitty Tuscano United Way of SW PA Eileen Van Fleet Kathie Vincent Lauren Ward James & Mary Hays Warmbrodt Mary Chester Wasko

Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club Allen Whittemore Yvonne & Robert Williams Lace & Mylyssa Wilson Cindy Winings Gerald & Lois Winslow Jay & Sue Woodward Carrie Yannacci Le Ella Yannacci Kathy Yoder Stephanie Zaccagnini Sherree & Stanley Zemba Edward Zuckerman

John R. Ackerman Aaron Adair Mary Aleo Norine Allen Alex Althoff Joyce Alvarez Marian & Michael Arndt Sherry Avila Julie Baker Rick & Rita Balogh Leslie Bangor Ethel Barbus Elaine Barry & David Rabel Jeff & Liz Becka Beth A. Ujevich Beckner Audum Bianco Brigitte Bilodeau Ronald & Mary Bires Sandra Boehler Suzanne Borza Eileen Boyle Mary Ann Bridge Nancy Bridges Courtney Brown Rebecca Brunetta Sophia & Kevin Byich Judith Carr Carol & Donald Carter Anthony & Cathy Casagrande Tina Casale Centerville Partial Program Clinton Chess Anne Clark Nancy & Jack Coddington Roberta Cole Donald Cooke Glenn Davis Susan De Jaiffe Rita DeBlock Derry Agricultural Fair Joel Diamond Dennis Diffenderfer Linda Dillon Family Joanne Ditter Carol & David Dominicis Debbie Donnelly Robert Downey Donna Dubulis Ann Einsporn Kristen Elliss James & Sue Evans Donna & Michael Faix Kari Feehan Elvira Fisher Nancy Flenner Betty Frankiewicz Edwin & Jane Fromm Sandra Gabor Christine Gaskey Margie Gettemy Stephen Gingo Robert & Kathy Gladys Mark Griffin Howard & Geraldine Haines Linda & Harry Harbaugh Jr Vikki Haslett Linda & Donald Haun Paul & Irene Haurilesko James Hellman Carole & John Hillwig Elizabeth Hoeldthe Adriane & Morris Horvitz Annamarie Denis Hurley Karen Hutchinson Jerry Jacobsky Suzie Johnson April Kebberly Lou Ann Kelly Vivian & Michael Keslar Don & Kitty Kiebler Jeff King John & Llinda Kotok Toni & Joseph Kruithoff Tom & Janet Kuehl Lisa & Kevin Kuncher William & Rosemary Kury Mike & Michael Kustra Jeff Lavanier Jill Leasure Lisa Lendl-Lander Margaret Lock Augustine Lombardozzi Brenda Magalich Lori & Andy Majorsky Marge Marcavitch Barbara Marin Lori & William Martz Michael & Sharon Matich Dale Matuza Kim & Rich Merrell Larry Montemurro Olivia Moore Elaine & Fernando More Erin Mullen Christina Munko Kathy Murray Barbara Myers Jeanne & Ray Myers Shirley & John Newhouse Greg & Barb Nichols Linda Noel

Lora OBlack Barbara Off Karen & Rick Oliver R.C. Painter Deborah Studen Paulovich Lori Pellis Mary Pescatore Walter Piroth Roger Pivirotto Scott Provance Olga Redkina Michelle Rice Priscilla Richardson Katie Riley Timothy Roberts Michelle Robertson Len & Linda Romansky Kathleen Rosatti Stephanie Rubino Rebecca Russell Saint Vincent College Carmella Salvatore Keith Sankey Madison Sano Amy & David Scarnati Andrew Schrum Melanie Scott Sandie Seech Marie Shupe Lorna Silbaugh Jessica Skinner Lorrie & Thomas Smearcheck Brad & Glenda Smith John H. Smith Linda Smith Sandy Smith Sacha Snyder Loretta Speicher Nancy & Thomas Stedman Virginia & James Stefan Sara Jane Studen Rhea Summit TaMara Swank Ruthie & Terry Swindell thelittledabbler Matilda Thompson Joanne Thornburg Dennis & Cheryl Tkacs Carolyn Tokarcik Ruth Trice Mr. Kelly Tunney Barb & Scott Urban Joseph & Valerie Veghts Danita & Jim Vitek Deborah Voloch Kim & Dave von Schlichten Ray Sistek Walz Heather Weaver Wendover Middle School Faculty Sue & Dale Wiseman Brenda & Dave Worst Lorin & Jason Zimmerman Rich & Joan Zisek

Pamela Abbot Susan & William Allison Kathy Anderson Emmanuel & Sue Ellen Answine Cindy Arblaster Dr Richard Baird Lorraine & John Baith Les & Karen Bandemer Suzanne Battistella Robert P Bauman Emma Beaver Rick Belogh Julie Berry Janet Best Donald Bish Rick & Wendy Boehm Cary Bohl Ellen Bonneau Kimberly Botticello Wendy & Gerald Bradish Bill Bray Ralph & Ann Bray Thelma Buchholz James & Sydney Buxton Elaine Capo Jeanne Casey Annette Chalot Mary Jo Ciacco Rogene & Nancy Cipriani Angela & Richard Coldren Karen Conklin Sarah & Dino Conti Herbert & Julia Cooper Covered Bridge 4H Kim Craft Annamarie Crelli Cub Scout Pack 370 Stephanie Dagger Marilyn Daniels Kate Dean Lorraine DiCecco Wendy DiFonso Steve & Georgia Dimitroff Robert Domenick Lindsey Dove Carol & John Durco Mike Edwards Richard Edwards Tom Elder Laurianne Essay Susan Faiola Gwen & Bob Faulk Pamela Ferguson Shawn Ferguson Emma L Ferrari Brandon Filer Suzanne Fisher Gail Flowers Rebecca Fox Family Steve & Sharon Friedel Mike Geroux

Mildred Giles Chris Gordish Sandy Grabiak Marilyn & Leeland Green Connie Griswold David & Sheryl Haber Andrea Halfhill Jessica Halfhill Jennifer Harvey Anita Herrington Ray & Kay Hoffman Pamela Ickes Doris Johnson Dorothy Johnston Tom & Linda Jones Kathleen Kabler Joe & Arlene Kalinowski George & Krista Karnbauer Laura Karpiak Connie Kaylor Matthew & Stephanie King Stephanie Kohl Andrew Koloshinsky Amber Kooser Paula Korber Heidi & Michelle Kozubal Deanna Kreger Teresa Krivacsy Marilyn Krushinski Faye & Thomas Kuch Danika Lagorio Janine & James Laird Susan Laufenberg Mary Ann Lauffer Lester & Sue Conway Patty Lewis Grace Lincoln Linda Lozier Tyler Luhovey Marlene Maggio Casey Malone Deb Marchelletta Carol Marsh Mabel & LG Matteson Mark & Kim Matthews Kate McCann Dee Dee McGilvery Mary Ann McIlvaine Bill McLaughlin Chelsey McLean Scott McMullen Jyostna Mediboyina Larry Michel Donna Miller Veronica Milner Henry Moniuszko Carol Monyok Audrey Moore Janice Moore Kay & Frank Mosser Ron & Lori Musser Darlene Nagrosky Jennifer Newman Frank Noss David & Deborah Nowakowski Patricia Pacelli Jackie Pajan John & Deborah Paouncic Kathleen Parker Robert Pavlik Donna Perkins Diane & Dennis Persin Rita Petrovich Becky Pishney Kathleen Polosky Nadine Potega Sharon Potochnik Jaimie Provident Karen & David Puc Ginger Purvis P Puskar Ranier's Pharmacy Bob Rausch JoAnne Reeve Sylvia Replogle Ralph & Beverly Resnick Gina Ribniscky Kari Rivardo Pam Ronczka Charles Rossi Deborah Rowan Elizabeth Rowe Lori Rusnak Linda & Gene Sasso Lisa Scarazzo Linda & Tim Schmida Connie Schutrick Nancy Schwarzkopf Marion Sedlacko Shelly See Lisa Sefchik Louise Shawley Jeffrey & Heidi Shoup Carol Sillaman Michelle Skwirut Nancy Sleasman Darlene Smetak Laura Spengler Norma & David Stoehr Karen Stover Brent Strother Target Cyber Grants Emily Tester Gwenda Thomas Stuart & Nora Thompson David & Deborah Tirdil Tara Truscott Rich & Barbara Ufner Roxane Uhrin Lisa Ullery Brian VanKirk Vincent Vitolo Carol Watkins Rita Weir Bill & Kelly Welsh Matt Wendell David Wodoslawsky Corday Yeager Young At Heart Sr Group

Bernie & Peggy Zajdel Norita Zamosky Liz Zemba

Ariel Ackerman Melanie Altman Nicki Anglin Rose Marie Appel Nella Balling Kerri Barchesi Crystal Barnhart Ed & Kevin Barry Fran Basta Kelley Battle Katie Bebar Shari Bechtel Alethea Bennett Shirley & John Bien Cindy Boley Mike Bollig Michelle Braun Stephen Bridge Linda Bright Melissa Brodsky Carole Bullion Sarah E. Burkhiser Amanda Burnsworth Kenneth Byerly Sharon Carpenter Crystal Clark Kathleen Clark Gina Cohone Jamie Coleman Tiffany L. Conn Nannette & Lester Conway Kathy Cortese Ernie & Nellie Cox James & Shirley Curry Denise Darnell Carol DaRold Joan Gregg & Walter David Teri DeBlasio Kris Dejiey Jody Demase Tom DeMase Shannon Denitti Helena Dick Michael DiFranco Maria Dillman Len DiNaples Lisa Dionisi Tim Doezzbacher Cathie & Tom Donohoe Lisa Duffy Danielle Dvorak Melanie Ebbitt Adrienne Ermlick Michael Felberal William Firmstone Trish Fletcher Doris Francetic Francetiz Misty Franks Deb Frick Karen & Gene Fritz Kellianne Frketiz Kassidy Frost Caitlin Gavin Samantha Gazda Elisa Glenn Charles & Sue gongaware Emily Good Mary Ann Gorinski Andrea Goslinski Beth Grabiak Judy Gralewski Christine & Ron Gray Jennifer Grisenthwaite Melissa Hagerman Linda Henderson Charles Hendrickson Dorothy Henry Brennan Herr Tara Hixson Matthew Hough Patricia Hunter Mike Hura Kristin Ashley Janzef Kip Johnston Jennifer Kail Melissa Kaylor Kerry Kiefer Lisa King John Kiren Carl Kish Hal Klein Lee Kline Gayle Kochasic Diane Koller Lacey Kopka Natalie Kratofil Breeana Kristen Elinor Kurtiak Becky Kurtz Robert Leberman MaryAnn & Zane Leeper Sharlene Lehman Karen Lewis Mindy Liebau Kelley Lord Dava Loucks Barb Love Elaine Lucas Ashley Lutz Brent Marcrisotto Erin & Troy Markovich Katie Krug Martel Barry & Donna Martz Janis Mayr Jessica McCahill Dale McIntyre Michelle Melocchi Tori Miller Chelsee Moose Janet Mori Amy Morris Shel Moser

Mt View 4H Club Wendy Mull Melody Mutnansky Randi Newell Joan Newill Kathleen & Franklin Newill Lois Noonan Connie & Dale Nutter Susan O'Donnell Rosanna Ondrish Sophie Papurello Deanna Patrick Sheila patton Bob Perry Justin Perry Grace Pesselato Cheri Petrini George Pevarnik Gary Phillips Delila Piffetti Rayanna Pogney Linda Polesky Nancy Primus Judy Provig Loretta Pustiten Katie Pyle Kat Ranen Leora Rankin Colleen Raymond Ray & Clara Reamer Marie Regula Beth Reidmiller Becky Reynolds Katie Ribbet Shan Riggs Christian Roach Lisa Roberts Sarah Rockefeller Bev Rosenberg Alissity Rosner Barry & Mary Kay Ruffner Jan Rupp Tracy Rush Jared Russell Eleanor Salamone Jordan Sam Lisa Schafer Alexis Scott Elizabeth Shaver Tricia Shaw Donald & Michele Sherbondy Pauline Shermar Sandra Shoemaker Staci Sierka Brenda Silcox Claire Simpson Samuel & Wanda Smail Patty Smith Jessica Solarczyk Kimberly Spadin Lisa & Doug Speck Brittany Speranza Robert Sperber Scott Stancombe Kelsey Stanford Richard Steele Andrew & Sherri Stern Amie Struzzi Jaime Theimer Megan Thomas Karin Thompson Vickie Tracy Jan & Joe Trifaro Anina Trunzo Randy Tullio Rebecca Tyger Jenna Uncapher Tina Varner Ray Very Kelly Wesling Westmoreland Cnty Memorial Park Cemetary Roy Wiesen Wildlands Conservancy Wildllfe In Need Brooklyn Williams DanBridget Williams David Williams Cathy Wineland Stephanie Wingard Leslie Woncheck Daniel & Kelly Worley Scott Yagodich Janet Yakubco Dave Yant Tate Yawnz Chelsea Yeager Allison Yeckel Stephanie Zagarella Denise Zoretich

United Way Donors Rosemary Baird William Brady John Joseph Leszczynski Joseph Loucks Robert Love Patricia Show Meichelle Struble

Our apologies for any errors/omissions.

If you donated to WWI in 2019 and your name is not listed, please call so we can update our

records.

Special Thanks to our 2019 Financial Supporters

Winter/Spring 2020 Words from the Wild Page 9

In-Kind Goods Donors

Groups & Businesses: Centerville Partial Program Covered Bridge 4-H Club Cub Scout Troop #370 D&M Contracting Daniels Excavating Don Young Electric Fancy Fox Customs Gbg Central Catholic 7th Gr Greensburg Agway Headstart at Maxwell Elementary Headstart at St. Paul's Irwin Giant Eagle Jimmy's Live Bait Merakey Autism Center Moon Veterinary Hospital Mt. View 4-H Club Mt. View Elementary Girl Scouts New Neighbors of Greensburg Norwin Girl Scout Troop Southmoreland Elementary 3rd Graders Ted's Tree Service WCCC Daycare Young at Heart Senior Group Young Marines

Individuals & Families: Linda Bright Mai Brna Rebecca Brunetta Carol DaRold Rita DeBlock John & Carol Durco Jess Evanchak Emma Ferrari Bill & Darcy Firmstone

Steve & Sharon Friedel Deb Milito Family & Friends Michelle Gricks Sue Hauser Joy Hrivnak Dennis & Mary Law Jill Leasure Sandy Leuthold Susan Lovette Tina Moore Lori Mozina - Ogurchak Natalie Peskie Susan Scherff Shelly See Beth Shoaf Betty Simons Elaine Smartnick George & Beenie Smith Antionette & Sammy Smith Sandy Sten Dawn Strosko David Kost & Sandy Strychor Marty Van Stan Lisa Vezzani Jon & Cathy Voss Bonnie Zaucha Ron & MaryAnn Zdrojkowski

In-Kind Service Donors

Cramer Janicki Green Hill Veterinary Kvet Animal Care Karen & Ron Rothrauff Dennis & Mary Law Joelle Mielle Miller's Meats Richard Patterson, CPA Todd Vezzani Maintenance Dr. Robert Wagner, VMD Dr. Stephen Treese DVM & Amber VanStrien Treese

Fundraising Volunteers Kris Azzarello Lori Bell Linda Conyette Rita DeBlock Mike DiFranco Cathie Donohoe Heather Flanegan Nancy Gaffron Greensburg Newstand Michelle Gricks Julie's Full Service Salon Marlene Maggio Ron & Karen Rothrauff Stacy Ryan Barb Urban Suzanne Weightman Ken Williams

Plus all of our volunteers and staff who sold calendars and

raffle tickets.

Special Projects Freshman Cornerstone Class Pitt Greensburg Gbg Central Catholic 7th Graders Green Hill Veterinary Clients Tom Jones Dennis & Mary Law Pitt Gbg Into the Streets Sandy Sten & Jess Evanchak

Special Thank You’s

To John & Carol Durco and Dr. Craig Hill, DVM for going above the call of duty, each in their own way.

Page 10 Words from the Wild Winter/Spring 2020

Other 2019 Friends Board of Directors

Beth Shoaf, Executive Director Marcia Osborne, President Jim Vaughan, Sec/Treas.

Shannon Kozakiewicz Judi Wilson

Advisory Board Pat Davis

Paula Petrulak, CPA Dr. Robert Wagner, VMD

Staff Beth Shoaf, Sr Rehabilitator

Monica Leuthold, Office Manager Carol DaRold & Elizabeth Ringstad

Animal Care Techs Michael Smith, Groundskeeper

Volunteer Office Staff Allison Checkeye, Webmaster

Pat Fennema, Telephone Liason Sue Wiseman, Newsletter Editor

Individual ($15) Janet Best Donald Bish Marie Hustek & Mary Alice Brightwell Debbie Donnelly Edwin & Jane Fromm Susan Frost Benzo Mark Griffin Ruth Ann Hoffman Robert Jackman Kristin Ashley Janzef Melissa Kaylor Paula Korber Marilyn Krushinski Robert Leberman Janet Lowery Marlene Maggio Richard & Kathleen Manning Cynthia & Mark Marshall Katherine Moore Shirley & John Newhouse Joan Newill Lois Noonan Diane & Dennis Persin

Fred Quast Bob Rausch Bev Rosenberg Nancy Schwarzkopf Pauline Shermar Robert Sperber Virginia & James Stefan Rebecca Syrek

Family ($25) Rosann & David Barr Ronald & Mary Bires Donald Bish Wendy & Gerald Bradish Jack & Shoko Brown Rogene & Nancy Cipriani Nannette & Lester Conway Herbert & Julia Cooper Steve & Georgia Dimitroff James & Sue Evans Donna & Michael Faix Karen Fisher Suzanne Fisher Robert & Kathy Gladys Annamarie Denis Hurley Mary Etta & Dennis

Johnson Donna Gunther & Ken Kaleida Judy & Rick Kemper Genevieve & Al Klingensmith Deanna Kreger Janine & James Laird Paula & George Lawrence Lester & Sue Conway Lori & Andy Majorsky Carol & John Mock Elaine & Fernando More Jeanne & Ray Myers Ron & Kathy Patun Dr & Mrs. Lloyd Plummer Len & Linda Romansky Pam Ronczka Shelly See Lorrie & Thomas Smearcheck Laura Spengler LaVonne & John Staney & Nicole Auer Ruth Trice Danita & Jim Vitek Carrie Yannacci Sherree & Stanley Zemba

Sponsor ($50) Beth A. Ujevich Beckner Nancy Bridges

Glenn Davis John Ginnevan Deb Goodman Daniel Halden Elizabeth Hoeldthe Jerry Jacobsky Amy Kaylor King's Electric Howard Markle Jr. VMD Patti Morgan Andy & Lori Mozina- Ogurchak Cheryl & Theodore Richardson Bill Rittenhouse Jr. Rebecca Russell Madison Sano Amy & David Scarnati Ann & James Schuck Sandie Seech Jessica Skinner Brad & Glenda Smith Jeanne & Del Smith John H. Smith Joanne Thornburg Carolyn Tokarcik Joseph & Valerie Veghts

Associate ($100) Pauline & Craig Cunningham

Grant Dinsmore Martha Jacobs Rev. Robert & Sharon Marks Bette Morton Nature's Way Market Marcia Osborne Dr & Mrs. Lloyd Plummer Marilyn & Bernard Poole Judith & Wayne Silvania Joy & Nick Studley Lauren Ward Yvonne & Robert Williams

Patron ($250) Bill & Barb Botti Charles Jacobina Family Edward Zuckerman

Lifetime ($1,000) Louise Anderson Ethel Benzer Bail Milton Clawson Linda & Bernie Cramer Bob & Cindy Harlan Powerex Employees George Smeltzer Charlotte Stephenson Kathi Zaidan

2019 Members Paid between 10/1/18 - 9/30/19

Ways to Support WWI

Winter/Spring 2020 Words from the Wild Page 11

To make a donation, complete this form and send it with your check or money order, payable to Wildlife Works, Inc., to PO Box 113, Youngwood, PA 15697.

� Membership � Youth - $5 � Individual - $15 � Family or Classroom - $25 � Sponsor - $50 � Associate - $100 � Patron - $250

� Sustaining - $500 � Lifetime - $1,000

� General Operations ___ � Adopt-a-Wildling

� $1,000 - Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Osprey � $250 - Barred Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron � $100 - American Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Screech-Owl � $50 - Gray Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Woodpecker � $25 - Canada Goose, Hummingbird, Opossum � $10 - Box Turtle, Songbird, Cottontail Rabbit

Name _______________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________ Phone(s) _______________________________________ Email __________________________________________

All contributions are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support!!!!

WISH LIST 2020

WWI needs ordinary household items. If you, your school or your organization would like to donate supplies or have a “Collection for Wildlife,” it would help tre-mendously. Here is a list of our current needs. You can also purchase items from our wish list on Amazon.com (link on the Get Involved page on our website - wildlifeworksinc.org) and have them shipped directly to us.

Unsalted peanuts in the shell Bird seed

Black oil sunflower/Scratch feed Cob Corn

Canned corn Paper towels

Unscented facial tissues Chlorine Bleach

Laundry detergent Dishwashing Detergent

New heating pads (without auto shut-off)

Gift Cards (grocery, office supply and pet stores)

Postage stamps

More Ways To Help Use Amazon Smile- Amazon Smile donates a portion of your qualified online purchases to WWI. You must open your online account through smile.amazon.com - not amazon.com. Then and select Wildlife Works as your charity. Total raised since 2015 is $791.

Consider a Legacy - Please consider remembering WWI in your will. Future bequests can be invaluable for WWI to help us continue to grow to meet the ever-increasing numbers of wildlings in need and to assure the future of WWI.

Share WWI with a Friend - A main source of support is individual dona-tions. Please share this newsletter with others.

Find a Home for a WWI Donation Can - WWI donation cans allow the public to donate their change. Since 2002, WWI received $3,938 from donation cans. If you know a business or an event that would support WWI, please call us.

Birthday and Christmas Gifts - If friends and family insist on buying gifts you really don’t need, suggest they donate to WWI in your name. We’ll gladly send them an acknowledgement. Memorials and Honoriums - Remember and honor those you love through a gift to help wildlife. Families and individuals will be sent an acknowledgement card and individuals and donors will be recognized in our Winter/Spring newslet-ter (see page 7). Recycle Ink Cartridges - Drop off your empty ink cartridges today. Since 2005, WWI has earned $1,319 by recycling these items. Fundraising - We are always looking for volunteers to sell raffle tickets, calen-dars, and other fundraising items. United Way – Participate in the United Way payroll deduction campaign at your workplace by writing in #223-199 Wildlife Works Inc.

Eagle Scout Projects - WWI is happy to accommodate Eagle Scout candi-dates.

Stock Donations - WWI has an account set up to receive donations of stocks that we can turn over to help increase our income.

If you’d rather your Facebook friends donate to your favorite charity rather than give you gifts for special occasions, you can add a donate button to your Facebook page.

The charity must be listed in Guidestar’s database. Facebook has waved all fees and the entire donation is sent to the charity through NetworkforGood! Facebook protects the privacy of all donors, so the charity does not know the donors’ names nor the Facebook owner’s name. If you would like your charity to acknowledge you and your friends, you must share this information. WWI is registered on Guidestar. In 2019, WWI received $1,191 from 53 anonymous donors! Three of our wildlife friends let us know that they added a donate button for WWI to their Facebook page: Tina Moore, Stephanie King, and Kris Azzarello.

Big Fundraiser ANTHROCON 2020 - better known as the Furry Convention, returns to Pittsburgh for its 24

th annual event July 3-5 at the David

Lawrence Convention Center downtown. The event celebrates “anthropomorphics,” which are human-like animal characters. They are a collection of artists, animators, writers, costumers, puppeteers and just eve-ryday fans who enjoy cartoon animals and their kin. ANTHROCON has chosen Wildlife Works as their charity for 2020, and all of the funds raised at the event, through auctions, raffles, merchandise sales, comedy show and more, will be donated directly to us. Come and join Wildlife Works and the Fur-ries for a weekend of fun and surprises in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh!

WWI’s Mission is to rehabilitate in-jured, ill and orphaned wildlife and edu-cate the public on how to better co-exist with wildlife. WWI primarily serves West-moreland County but also accepts rap-tors from surrounding counties. Volunteers - There are 50-60 WWI volunteers, the majority of whom are animal care volunteers. Animal care vol-unteers are active every day of the year. In peak baby season, volunteers contrib-ute approximately 50 hours daily!!!!

Additionally, the volunteer base includes several veteranarians and other professionals greatly adding to the high level of professionalism of WWI. In addition to caring for animals and educating the public, volunteers also raise a significant portion of the budget through events, sales, solicitations and program income. Without the dedication of these individuals WWI would not exist.

Staff - There are currently five part-time paid positions at WWI: an office manager, two animal care technicians, one groundskeeper, and one senior re-habilitator. These positions provide es-sential support for year-round uninter-rupted operations. Beth Shoaf, the senior rehabilitator, is licensed by the PA Game Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Facility - WWI operates from the Youngwood home-based facility of Beth Shoaf and several satellites in West-moreland County.

Admission Hours - Are by appoint-ment only and are dependent upon the availability of staff. The office is open 10AM-3PM Monday through Friday. Please leave a message during off hours. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Notice of Non-profit Status: WWI is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. The official registration and financial info of WWI may be obtained from the PA Dept of State at 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Wildlife Works, Inc. P.O. Box 113

Youngwood, PA 15697

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Greensburg, PA Permit # 1091

IMPORTANT - We are currently updating our mailing list. If we have not heard from you in the last 6 years your contact info will be removed unless you contact us.

Return Service Requested

Wildlife Works Inc.

Statistics 12/93 - 12/19

Wildlings Admitted - 13,073* *Includes nontreatables (~35% of admissions!)

Wildlings Released - 6,788

Avg Annual Admissions (last 5 yrs) - 593 Avg Cost/Wildling (last 5 yrs) - $41.25

Education Programs 2004-2019 - 292 Estimated Individuals Reached - 20,200

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are WWI photos.