The purpose of education is to decrease the number of patients treated due to man s impact. The PWC treats a wide range of native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Common patient histories this summer have included red-tailed hawks colliding with power lines, Eastern box turtles that were hit by cars, and infant squirrels whose nests were cut down. The treatment for these animals range from cage rest to surgery for a broken wing. The staff and volunteers strive to improve facilities and the organization in order to best increase and maintain high quality care.
Improvements are also necessary to accommodate the number of patients being admitted for care.
This is due to increased awareness of the facility, as well as to increased human encroachment upon habitat. This year a substantial increase was seen in orphaned raccoon patients. Nearly 30 infant raccoons were received during the spring and early summer. Reasons for their arrival included mothers being trapped, hit by cars, and denning trees being cut down. Many of these situations could have been prevented through education.