Suisun director: Many ways to help out at wildlife center

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

The rescued animals at the Suisun Wildlife Center could use a few gifts from Santa Claus or his helpers, Monique Liguori, executive director, said.

“The critters do go nuts for nuts!” she quipped. But the center is serious about collecting unsalted shelled or unshelled nuts and acorns to build up its supply.

After all, come springtime, the center will be caring for orphaned and injured baby squirrels and raccoons who will be craving such foods.

But those animal infants aren’t the only ones that need help, Liguori said. The center never knows what type of bird or animal may be brought to the wildlife center for rehabilitation in hopes it can be released.

“Each year, we rescue and release back into the wild hundreds of sick, injured and orphaned California native wildlife,” she said.

As the species vary, so do their food requirements. Liguori said the wildlife center could use donations of apples, seedless grapes, carrots, pea pods, bananas, mushrooms, fresh and hard corn on the cob, avocados, and raw lean steak and ground beef, including freezer-burned meats.

The center also is accepting frozen cooked shrimp, raw fish and seafood mix, raw eggs, bird seed, mouse food, Innova brand canned puppy food, adult and puppy dog kibble, Purina brand dry cat food, Evo brand cat and kitten chow, plain yogurt, dried egg whites, calcium powder and liquid bird vitamins.

Food items aren’t the only things the center needs as it takes care of its wild charges, Liguori said.

It could also use bottled water, paper towels, toilet paper, boxed tissues, Dawn liquid dish soap, laundry detergent, newspapers, liquid pine cleaner, pinewood shavings and mouse bedding, small pet water bottles, bleach, bug spray, bug repellant, plastic baggies in all sizes, antibacterial hand soap and lotion, tall kitchen garbage bags and trash compactor bags.

Liguori said the center could use flannel blankets in good shape, copier paper, heating pads, electric fans, pet carriers in all sizes, a gas weed cutter, and gardening equipment such as hoes, rakes, shovels and a high-clearance lawnmower.

The center also is collecting aluminum cans, printer cartridges and old cell phones that it will recycle for cash.

Memberships to the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association, which operates the wildlife center, also can be given as gifts, Liguori said. Memberships are $15 for individuals, $25 for families, $50 for contributing members and business members, and $500 for lifetime members.

The money from memberships not only helps the injured and orphaned wildlife at the center, it also is used to offer environmental education programs for both children and adults, Liguori said.

Checks may be made payable to SMNHA and sent to the center at 1171 Kellog St., Suisun, Calif., 94585. Memberships bought as gifts will need to be accompanied by the name and address of the person for whom the membership is bought, she said.

The contributions and memberships are tax- deductible, Liguori said.

Volunteer help, too, is always welcome at the wildlife care center, she said. Those who want to give some of their time can participate in wildlife care, field trips and giving presentations, she said.

Helping hands also are needed for handling office tasks, helping with construction projects, assisting in campus cleanup days, fundraising, publicity, providing photographs and articles for the newsletter and working on the center’s crafts fair.

Those interested may contact the center any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily at 707-429-4295 (HAWK), or check its website at www.suisunwildlife.org.