“We should remember in our dealings with animals that they are a sacred trust to us… [They] cannot speak for themselves.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

It’s no secret that Central Oregon is growing – fast. The population of Deschutes County is 190,000 and expected to reach 250,000 in the next five years, which will inevitably strain the natural environment and its inhabitants. Animal intakes and calls to wildlife hotlines have increased substantially in the past decade, and 70% of injured or orphaned native species reported are a result of human conflict. These numbers are expected to increase as the region grows. [Read more…]