Wildlife Benefit

For 30 years, Santa Barbara has been taking care of wildlife. In 1984, 12 people decided to share resources to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. In 1999, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) leased a small downtown center that housed songbirds and small mammals. In 1992, June Taylor opened up a seabird pond in her backyard. She never realized she would be involved for 15 years. 

In 2012, SBWCN moved to north Fairview Avenue. Generous donors funded the venue. Today there are multiple flight enclosures, pools for seabird rehab, an intake and exam room, and mammal enclosures for skunks and raccoons.

In the early 1990s, SBWCN put in a hotline for local residents. Today it rings 10,000 times a year. DDT use in the ’50s and ’60s killed many brown pelicans. They have since rebounded though still endangered and SBWCN has cared for thousands of pelicans since 1988. SBWCN takes in more than 3,000 wildlife animals every year.

“During the Refugio oil spill, SBWCN provided emergency care to oiled seabirds ensuring they were strong enough to survive the long drive to the primary care center,” stated Nancy Anderson, DVM at OWCN UC DAVIS.

Is it any wonder that 250 folks who love animals gathered at the Carriage Museum for a little wild fun of their own? Even though Halloween was over, the dress code was costumes and online shopping must have been busy judging by some of the garish outfits. Facilities director Julia Parker won the prize. As she told the audience, “We hope to generate some generosity tonight.”

This was the 30^th anniversary and the first evening gala for SBWCN. They always had a luncheon before. This night there was a DJ, specialty cocktails, and many kinds of wine, a buffet dinner of local and organic foods to choose from, and a silent auction. John Palminteri was there to reminisce about his year on the air throughout the tragedies and to run the live auction. Items ran the gamut from a cabin in Alaska, to tickets for the Ellen DeGeneres Show, or a South African Safari, Colorado Condo, and a Caribbean Escape. Gretchen Lieff offered a wine tasting and picnic tour for eight all while being chauffeured. Funds raised help feed, medicate, and care for wildlife. The evening ended with dessert and dancing.

The “wild” co-chairs were Dana Fritzler and Pat Carter, and board president is Roland Bryan. Ariana Katovich is development director. Premier sponsors were: Union Bank, Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, Dwight and Kim Lowell, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Pure Joy Catering, Mark S. Cornwall trustee of the Grossenbacher CRUT, Sweetzer Cellars, ExxonMobil, Green Star Coffee, Misho Law Group, Lieff, and NS Ceramic.

Here’s a number to put on your refrigerator: the hotline to SBWCN 805.681.1019. You can help the future of wildlife with rescue, rehabilitate, and release.