Most of Santa Cruz knows about Native Animal Rescue for its work rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured, sick and orphaned wild animals back to the wild. But did you know that Native Animal Rescue also works to:
—increase the understanding of and respect for wildlife and its habitats and
—educate our human neighbors on how to of coexist with our wild neighbors
In 2017, we hit high marks for all of our objectives and then some. Read all about it…
Record number of Animals for the fourth year in a row
In 2017, for the fourth year in a row, Native Animal Rescue received an unusually high number of animals, over 2,400 so far, with significant increases in the following species: 195 opossums up from a five year average of 79, 184 squirrels up from a five year average of 139, and 84 skunks up from a five year average of 49. With your donations, our volunteer Mark purchased materials and built several new outdoor enclosures. Next, we successfully recruited new volunteers to foster the new babies in the new enclosures.
Supporting the construction of a wildlife tunnel beneath Highway 17
On November 4, Native Animal Rescue brought a special documentary film to the Rio Theater, The Cat that Changed America, the true story of a Los Angeles mountain lion who miraculously crossed two busy LA freeways in search of more habitat. This mountain lion’s journey symbolizes the plight of urban wildlife, its need for greater habitat, and the dangerous consequences of the use of rat poisons on wildlife.
Here in Santa Cruz County, our own wildlife corridor story is unfolding—the Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing. We feel great about sharing this powerful message of coexistence with the 500 NAR supporters and friends who enjoyed the film and the Q&A that followed. More information on the Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing.
Protecting wild animals from cat attacks
On October 7, Native Animal Rescue and Santa Cruz County Animal Services co-sponsored the second Santa Cruz County Catio Tour. Why, you may ask, is Native Animal Rescue interested in cats? An excellent question!
An alarming 12% of the injured animals NAR received in 2017 were caught by cats, making cats the number one cause of injuries to the animals brought to NAR. There is a highly effective way to prevent cat attacks against native wildlife. Catios! A catio is an enclosed outdoor space for cats that protects cats from cars, cat fights, and predators and, at the same time, protects wildlife from cats. Two years ago, the Santa Cruz County Catio Tour was born when NAR and SCCAS decided to collaborate to help the animals they love: wild animals and domestic cats. On October 7, over 150 residents participated in the self-guided tour of nine privately owned catios of all shapes, sizes, and costs. From noon until 4:00pm, they inspected and talked to the owners of catios from Boulder Creek to Watsonville. More information on the catios of Santa Cruz County.
