10/18/2026
WE DID IT!
WOW, what a week Second Chance Wildlife Rescue had! Between early giving and the actual Giving Day through the Paso del Norte Community Foundation's Giving Day, we were able to surpass our goal!
Special thanks go to sponsors Waterloo Ice House for the early match of $10,000, a $5,000 Andrea Dorsey Kirs Legacy Fund, and an additional Meta match of $25,000 we were able to surpass our goal of $60,000.
Thanks to the generosity of each of every one of you who supported us with your donations, we can move forward with the mission of saving our precious wildlife.
Speaking of saving wildlife, on October 16, an Upper Valley resident delivered a Red-breasted Nuthatch that was hurt by the extreme windstorms. The rescuer stated that it was “…blown out of the tree.”
On intake, it was obvious that the bird had sustained a head injury. He could not see, which is often a result of head injuries in birds. He could not maintain balance, and was very agitated and afraid.
Birds can die of stress very quickly. Our first treatment is to de-stress the patient. We use homeopathics in the treatment of most wild animals and birds. They do no harm, and are usually very effective. We also gave him a conventional medicine to reduce the swelling in the brain. This particular bird did not improve, and experienced what we know as a gran mal seizure. After repeated minor seizures, he passed away.
Losing wildlife patients is always painful. We consulted with the zoo vet, Dr. Milne, and sent her videos of the nuthatch, struggling to maintain balance. We are wildlife rehabilitators, not veterinarians, and most veterinarians are not wildlife rehabilitators, so we work as a team, when it is possible.
This particular bird is not native to El Paso and the surrounding region. He was migrating south from the Northern States and got blown off course due to the high winds. The Red Breasted Nuthatch is a tiny energetic North American songbird known for its ability to climb down tree trunks head first. It spirals up and down tree trunks and branches looking for insects, spiders, and conifer seeds.
We will continue to see birds not native to our area migrate through as they head south. Our facility is still open during the fall and winter. Our hours at Second Chance Wildlife Rescue at 7800 Doniphan in Vinton are Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. and our phone number is (915) 920-7867.
Thank you all again, for believing in us. We couldn't have done it without you. Your support helps us keep our rescue doors open and wildlife safe.
