CROFTON, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Husband and wife team Kathie and Ruben Pacheco have been rescuing and rehabilitating injured owls, hawks and eagles for over 10 years, spending their days and nights driving around Kentucky, rescuing birds that have been hit by cars, shot by hunters or attacked by other animals.
The couple created Back Too The Wild Rescue and Rehab, located on their 40 acres in Crofton. Here, they spend their days and nights getting these birds of prey ready to go back into the wild. “If it flies and eats meat, we deal with it,” Ruben said.
How it works
The Pachecos has been together for 43 years. Rescue folks at heart, they met at the scene of an accident when Ruben was working as a Michigan state trooper and Kathie was a paramedic. They moved to Kentucky in 2012 to run their wildlife sanctuary.
Running a wildlife sanctuary takes a lot of money and work. “There are a lot of little things the public doesn’t know about,” Kathie said. “It is a lot more than just taking care of sick animals.” The couple are on their own at the rescue, taking care of feeding, supply, cleaning, rehabilitation, flight practice and more.
As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Kathie first determines if the bird has any contagious diseases. If so, it goes in a designated crate away from the others that are already in the process of recovery. Most birds start out in the nursery room, where they are placed in separate crates to rest and heal from whatever injuries they may have. “I live out here,” Kathie said. “I have a rocking chair and I watch the birds all day.”
Kathie buys supplies such as blankets, bedding, toys and medical supplies. She also has done hundreds of examinations and minor procedures within the nursery, at her own expense.
After the nursery, the birds are transferred to a larger enclosed area outside. “This is what we call an intermediate-sized cage,” Kathie said. This is where the birds can use their wings and move around more. All the windows in the cage have been specially designed so that they can be opened and closed from the outside.
From the intermediate cage, birds are transferred to the aviaries. “Here they spread their wings, gain more strength and get ready to go,” Kathie said.
Financial upkeep and projects
Most of the couples’ money is spent on gas to rescue birds across the state. “If someone calls us, I will answer the phone,” Kathie said. “We cover up to Owensboro into Louisville, and with just the two of us, we cover the largest area.”
Dedicated to the raptors, Kathie and Ruben work all day and into the night. “It can be so hard to keep up on the cleaning,” Kathie said. Besides just cleaning the bird cages, the couple cleans multiple cages used for mice, which are used for food. In recent years, mice have become more expensive, now up to $3 each, explains Kathie. “We started to breed our own to cut down on costs.”
Currently, the couple is creating a flight pen for their eagles. “The eagles need a minimum of 100-foot space,” Kathie said. “It has to be big enough so they can learn to do their turns and not just straight flights.” The pen has been on hold since the couple needs help with the heavy lifting and structure of the area. “Everyone says they will help, but nothing has come through,” Kathie said.
Kathie and Ruben hope to someday open to the public for tours. “I don’t have the license for it yet,” Kathie said. They also hope to get into the school system with raptor programs.
140 miles for a high five
After rehabilitating a bird, Kathie and Ruben return the birds to where they came from. “It’s so important to do this because the birds have partners,” Kathie said.
In a recent eagle release that took the couple 140 miles one way, the rehabilitated bird’s partner was waiting for him. “We opened up the cage, he comes out, and he flies right to her. It was wonderful,” Kathie said, choking up. After each release, Kathie and Ruben give each other a high five. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
The couple also likes to have the finders of the bird release them back into the wild. “Its an incredible experience to be a part of,” Kathie said.
Raptor tips
If you come across an injured bird, or hit one yourself, there are several things you can do. “First of all, never ever put yourself in danger,” Kathie said. “Call us.” It’s a good idea to keep a blanket or box in your car, Kathie explains. Throwing a blanket over a raptor can calm them down and disorient them. “Pick them up from behind, and just drop them in the box in a cool dark place until we get there.”
If Crofton is too far away, the couple has no problem meeting someplace to pick up the injured bird.
Back Too The Wild Rescue/Rehab is at 3514 Terry Coal Road, Crofton, Kentucky. For more information or to donate, call 810-434-0067, email backtoothewild@gmail.com or visit the Back Too The Wild Rescue/Rehab Facebook page.