Caring for Critters at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

Judy McGrath spends her free time caring for animals brought to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Clinic in the Fairview Shopping Center. The clinic rescues approximately 3,000 birds and small mammals each year, with over one-half of rescues released back into the wild. Some common animals she sees in the shelter include opossums, skunks and owls. All these creatures are often seen as pests, but Judy reminded Anacapa students that they each pay a valuable role in our Santa Barbara ecosystem. If you should ever find an injured animal, Judy suggests you call the clinic immediately and not to handle the animal yourself. For those Anacapa students who want to rehabilitate the animals themselves, the clinic welcomes high school volunteers!