Nevada Women Save Wildlife

We've all seen it, birds flying into the side of buildings or cars, flapping wildly on the ground with various injuries, perhaps a broken wing. But how many of us actually do something about it? The Wild Animal Infirmary for Nevada (WAIF) is one organization that does what the rest of us cannot.

WAIF is a tax exempt, nonprofit organization on the east side of the rugged and towering Sierra Nevada Mountains in Washoe Valley, half way between Carson City and Reno. This woman-run facility is devoted to rehabilitating injured birds and is located at the home of Nancy Laird, a registered nurse who has operated WAIF for over 25 years.

Using only volunteer help, WAIF cares for mostly avian species. While primarily treating raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons), waterfowl and some songbirds that are listed as threatened or endangered are also taken in, while other non-listed birds are taken to the local Humane Society for care. WAIF works in conjunction with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) as well as the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), the agencies regulating protected species, and reports to them each year.

The wounded birds come from many sources, including local police, veterinarians, casinos, parks, golf courses, Bureau of Land Management, USFWS, NDOW and the general public. Sometimes, however, emergency pickups are needed and the volunteers go to the locations themselves. When it comes to releasing the wildlife, some are returned to the areas they came from, while others are set free in suitable habitats.

WAIF operates with only a volunteer staff of four; Nancy Laird and her daughter, Laurie; Suzette Feilen, the in-house assistant who helps with transport, cleaning and handling; and Nancee Goldwater, an animal control officer for Douglas County, Nevada. Ms. Goldwater also gives presentations to local groups of people in area parks and to school children, always climaxing the program with the release of a recovered raptor. In addition, she contributes time for transport and emergency pickups.

Ms. Feilen has worked at animal rehabilitation centers before, and when she moved to northern Nevada, she called NDOW to find a local facility where she could volunteer. She's worked at WAIF for eight years and previously with the Wildwing Project for five years, giving her the expertise necessary to assist needy wildlife. According to Ms. Feilen, WAIF treats an average of two hundred birds and animals a year. They do, however, remain dependent on donations from the public, their membership, and periodic grants from the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation.

When medical services are needed, two veterinarians and a physician step in; Dr. Gary Sargent and Dr. Rob Cocanour from the Reno based Klaich Animal Hospital, and Dr. Mike Fisher, a human ophthalmologist who treats eye problems. WAIF owes its success to these devoted people who make sure the injured birds and animals living in or passing through Nevada have a chance to continue their lives.

If you would like to give a donation to WAIF, please send it to:

WAIF

2920 Eagle St. Carson City, NV 89704