From the SPCA’s Wildlife Department: The best place for a baby squirrel is with their mom. Did you know that squirrels carry their babies back up to the nest if they fall out? Did you know that squirrels always have a back-up nest? Please don’t feed them!
If you need help re-nesting a squirrel, you can call our Wildlife Department at 716-875-7360 ext. 247. If the babies are orphaned, you can call us, and we can help raise them to be released back to the wild.
From the SPCA’s Wildlife Department
Many people ask us what they can do for wildlife and the best thing you can do is plant native species.
Over the last 100 years or so, the continental United States has lost millions of acres of habitat due to our obsession with the perfect lawn. This monoculture of green carpet doesn’t support a functioning ecosystem. What does this mean? There are less and less healthy areas to support wildlife and a system that can support our very own human livelihood. Our future depends on supporting wildlife and a healthy ecosystem.
What can you do?
PLANT NATIVE SPECIES.
Native plant species have co-evolved along with certain native insects. The native insects support the native birds. This important relationship is the very thing that supports the healthy ecosystems that we need to continue to live in harmony with nature.
If you’re interested in learning more about this very humane approach to conservation in your own yard, please check out the book, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, by Douglas W. Tallamy.
Also, if you need help with choosing native species for your home or business property check out wnynativeplants.org!! They can help you with appropriate wildlife-friendly plants for your outdoor spaces.
And if you need help with sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, please don’t hesitate to call our hotline, available 7 days per week, 365 days per year, at 716-875-7360 ext. 247.
To support our efforts to help local wildlife, please donate here.
Celebrate by contributing to the SPCA Wildlife Department’s lifesaving efforts!
Wild thing, I think I love you! Make your gift here >>
Hear Barb Haney on Newsradio 930 WBEN >>
See our World Wildlife Day video >>
What do all these animals have in common? They were rehabilitated and released by the SPCA Serving Erie County! Visit our Wildlife Department page by clicking the image below!
-Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
For more information from the Erie County Department of Health on this year’s rabies vaccine air and ground distribution, please click on the image below:
You can also find more information on the ECDOH website >>
John Lattimer’s Fortieth Employment Anniversary with the SPCA
By Barbara Haney, Wildlife Department Director
June 25, 2021: This week marked the 40th anniversary of John Lattimer’s employment at the SPCA and it’s my understanding that he was a volunteer prior to being on staff. What a huge accomplishment!! In the world of animal welfare, John has lived and worked through tremendous changes. Indeed, when he started 40 years ago it was not routine to have veterinary services at humane societies, nor were there routine spay and neuter surgeries at animal shelters. John’s contributions to the SPCA cannot be overstated. We are tremendously blessed by having him as part of our SPCA family and his skills as a veterinary technician have influenced our industry and most certainly this community.
John’s compassion for animals led to his founding of the Wildlife Department and for that I can say that I’m truly grateful for his compassion and innovation. In the late 1980s wildlife rehabilitation was not a part of most humane societies and even today it is the exception if a shelter cares for wildlife. The SPCA Serving Erie County is only one of a handful of humane societies that has a Wildlife Department. We are quite lucky in Western New York to be able to provide care for more than our domestic friends. John’s foresight and caring has led to one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in New York state and we lead the industry in our innovation and skills at providing care for wildlife.
For many years after starting the Wildlife Department, John was a veterinary technician in the infirmary working mainly with domestic animals. John has been called on to do some of the saddest things in animal welfare and has had his heart broken due to numerous animals’ sad stories, but what makes him different is that instead of retreating, he just keeps trying to do more for animals. In fact, no matter when you call him, he’ll answer the call and help. He rarely says no. John now works part-time in the Wildlife Department, and he is flexible and helps whenever he can, changing his schedule to cover shifts whenever needed. He does what’s needed to care for wildlife in our community. He’ll drive to pick up injured wildlife, work late to attend to animals, and listen to the community who call with concerns and questions.
John has fostered hundreds of animals over the years, caring for animals on his time off. But, during all his compassionate work caring for animals, John has maintained a healthy personal life in which he enjoys camping, playing golf, and even starting the SPCA’s softball team years ago! He is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Anyone who knows John knows he’s a kind and solid individual. I am honored to work with John and value my time with him. I think of John as the heart and soul of the SPCA and we wouldn’t be where we are right now without. Thank you, John for all that you’ve done and all that you continue to do for the animals and the people of this community. We are eternally grateful for your contributions.
Click the image below to hear Newsradio 930 WBEN’s Mike Baggerman talk to our own Barb Haney, director of wildlife, about our snowy April showers!
