The most significant change will be the on-site surgical suite. Many of the animals we receive have sustained traumatic injuries from hazards like cars and cats, which require surgical care such as wound management and fracture repair. Because we do not currently possess a sterile place for these procedures, we depend on our partners to help provide this care, which can result in delayed treatment until we are able to schedule an available time and arrange transportation. The ability to provide emergency treatment without delay will make a dramatic difference for these time-sensitive cases!
Another major improvement that will impact patient care is a new and larger radiology room and added capacity for diagnostic tools. Our current radiology space is only large enough to fit a single person, making anesthetizing patients for X-rays riskier, as one person is generally acquiring diagnostic images while monitoring patient vital signs simultaneously. By simply increasing the space, we can have a second person focus on patient monitoring and reduce time under anesthesia, elevating patient care. Laboratory space and equipment will improve our on-site diagnostic capability for bloodwork and microscopic evaluation, allowing us to create a more focused treatment plan for each patient. Additional diagnostic capacity also means we will be better equipped to identify and explore trends in wildlife health issues, opening up a range of research opportunities currently beyond our reach.
We are so excited for the new building and all the ways it will advance our medical care, ultimately allowing us to save more wildlife!
If you’d like to help us rebuild the Wildlife Care Center, renew our campus and educational spaces, visit ForPortlandBird Alliance of Oregon.org to learn more and donate to support the capital campaign.
