Critter Chatter – Reminiscing, Part I

When I stopped by Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab this week, as there were no critters awaiting transfer to other rehabbers, Don and I talked again about how smoothly things have gone since his hospitalization in May and subsequent transition to semi-retirement. Over just a few days - thanks to Inland Fisheries & Wildlife staff, volunteers, Avian Haven, and other rehabbers - he was able to receive the medical care he needed and not have to worry about his furry and feathered friends.

After I got home, I looked through old files and found a couple of articles Carleen Cote had written and thought this would be a good time to share them. This one is from 2003:

"We will never forget our wonderful volunteers who have come and do all the "dirty work." Their payment is having an opportunity to feed and play with the wildlife babies - to see animals they would probably never see in their natural habitat. Cheri Muschamp was the first volunteer. Robyn Jacques was our first intern from Unity College, followed by Josh and Jayme. Blanche Bourdeau, Carol Thibodeau, Micki Poor, Amanda Watson and Nikki Reynolds volunteered many hours to clean pens, wash dishes and feed the babies. We can never say thank you enough to these wonderful volunteers who came to help and provided us some respite and time to get a few minutes of sleep during the day. They will be returning for their third summer.

We have met many wonderful dedicated animal control officers, police, sheriffs and animal damage control people who have gone many miles out of their way to bring us young and wounded animals. We have also had the opportunity to meet and work with Maine game wardens. They have brought many needy birds and mammals to the Center. We also assist them by responding to wildlife problems when they are unable to do so.

We have met many other rehabilitators. There is an exchange of information and experiences so no one has to "re-invent the wheel" whenever anyone gets a species of bird or mammal for the first time. Help is only a phone call away, and everyone is willing to share their knowledge.

Because of the numbers of mammals we receive, we are unable to care for many bird species because of the great time demands of baby birds. We are fortunate to have Avian Haven in Freedom. Marc and Diane take the birds we are unable to care for. We do take owls, hawks and eagles.

Trish and Gary Newcomb (founders of The Town Line) were frequent visitors to the Center. They would ask if we would write about our experiences for the newspaper. We always said we didn't think we had the talent to write. In 1996, I went to The Town Line on business. Trish and Gary again asked if I would write articles about our Center. I finally said I would try. The rest is history - eight years later I still enjoy writing about our experiences of sharing our life with all the little creatures and all our adventures. So many people have told us how much they enjoy the articles, how much they have learned about Maine's wildlife. That's the inspiration that keeps me writing and sharing our joys and sorrows. You know the saying, 'We could write a book!' I don't think that will happen."

In November, I'll continue with the stroll down Memory Lane!

Don is still busy with many phone calls and continues to provide advice and make referrals. He accepts and assesses small injured or abandoned wildlife, usually transporting them to other facilities for further treatment, care and release. Please remember to check these websites for someone close to you: www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a nonprofit, State-permitted rehab facility, which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Avenue, Vassalboro ME 04989 Phone: (207) 445-4326. Please note that the prior wildlifecarecenter email address is no longer monitored.

-by Jayne Winters, Natural Resources Council of Maine member from South China, Maine

Critter Chatter also appears monthly in the Town Linenewspaper