Dear Supporters,

Fall has come to Sonoma County, but reality doesn't always fall into place the way you anticipate. October was an unexpectedly challenging month for us here at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. The month began brightly, as we welcomed Mireille Gonzalez and Sara Belland as new Animal Care Assistants. In the second week, I and several staff members attended Oilapalooza, a professional training conference for organizations who are part of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network to prepare for the event of an oil spill and oiled wildlife care. Just as this conference was ending, the problem began. 

Staff and volunteers were breaking out in a mystery rash. To control the spread, we closed down the center, sending out our animals to our devoted foster care volunteers and maintaining a skeleton crew on site to care for our most debilitated patients. To determine the cause, we enlisted the help of our friends at Marin Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control. Scientist Angie Nakano came to our rescue. After swabbing and testing surfaces all over the center, inside and out, Angie found the cause: straw itch mites in our garage. We suspect they came in with donated food for the animals. The mites are microscopic, jump on, bite, and jump off, so luckily they remained in the garage. They are readily killed, and we do not expect future problems once we have completed the recommended sanitation procedures. 

While we have the garage gutted to sanitize every surface, we are taking the time to address several maintenance issues with the garage. It is critical to us that our volunteers have a safe, clean, and professional working environment so they can provide the best possible standard of care for the animals. While this infestation was a challenge, it has provided a good opportunity to improve our facility. 

Thank you for supporting us through times both exciting and difficult. Please keep your eyes out for our Year End Appeal, coming to your mailboxes with our thanks this November.