Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Wildlife

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Wildlife Providing sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife with free care, rehabilitation, and release.

Happy Field Notes Fridays! 🌳 It's always a thrill to observe different amphibians living here at the Wildlife Care Cente...
02/27/2026

Happy Field Notes Fridays! 🌳

It's always a thrill to observe different amphibians living here at the Wildlife Care Center in Saratoga. 🥰 We have two adorable native
newt species: Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa) and California Newts (Taricha torosa).

Every year when winter rains fall, newts leave their woodland habitats, migrating to water for the breeding season. Think "March of the Penguins" but with little brown and black critters moving zombie-like through the leaf litter!

Rough-skinned Newts range from the Santa Cruz area north to the Canadian border and beyond. California newts are endemic to California, meaning they only live in California.

You can observe newts in many freshwater habitats this time of year. If you don't see them immediately, be patient, they appear when you least expect it!

Happy Newt Season to all who celebrate!

Hello, welcome back for another Field Notes Friday! Last week we discussed how plants and animals change to survive the ...
02/20/2026

Hello, welcome back for another Field Notes Friday! Last week we discussed how plants and animals change to survive the cold. 🥶

Another tree that plays a big role in our habitat is the Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia. It can live up to 200 years!​ 🌳 ❤️

In August and September, pretty white flowers are just opening on its branches. From November through early spring, Toyon shrubs and trees are overloaded with small red berries. Toyon is one of the few plants that provide berries through the winter. Many birds and other wildlife species eat Toyon berries to stay well fed through the winter.​ 🥰

FIELD NOTES FRIDAY: Who’s making all that noise up in the tree? It's not quite Woody the Woodpecker, but you're closer ...
02/07/2026

FIELD NOTES FRIDAY: Who’s making all that noise up in the tree? It's not quite Woody the Woodpecker, but you're closer than you think.

While Woody the Woodpecker’s physical characteristics were based on the Pileated Woodpecker, his iconic laugh (along with much of his noisy mischief) was inspired by the Acorn Woodpecker.

This species is easily identified by its black-and-white barred back, bright red head and face, and loud, rattling call. Found throughout Oregon, California, and the southwestern United States, south through Central America to Colombia, these highly social birds have earned the nickname "farmer birds" for their unique food storage strategy. Flocks work together to peck a network of holes in dead trees, carefully sorting and storing thousands of acorns by type and size. These impressive food caches can be used by generations of woodpeckers.

Can you guess what this network of storage holes is called? Leave your guesses in the comments.

Home for the Holidays! 🕊️ This Band-tailed Pigeon arrived at our care center in mid-October after being found injured—li...
12/24/2025

Home for the Holidays! 🕊️

This Band-tailed Pigeon arrived at our care center in mid-October after being found injured—likely the result of a predator attack.🫣 During the exam, our team noted a significant drop in the left wing, which was later confirmed as a shoulder dislocation with associated soft-tissue damage.

As shown in the photo, our staff carefully stabilized the wing with Vet Wrap to maintain the proper healing position.

After nearly two months of rehabilitation, this beautiful native pigeon was ready to spread its wings once again and join a flock of band-tailed pigeons. 😇 Fly free, pigeon!

🪹 If you guessed the beautiful eye belonged to a Herring Gull, you were right! ✨ If you guessed the beautiful eye belong...
12/17/2025

🪹 If you guessed the beautiful eye belonged to a Herring Gull, you were right! ✨

If you guessed the beautiful eye belonged to a Herring Gull, you were right! Around Thanksgiving, this gull was found in the Alviso Slough, grounded and unable to fly. It was underweight and needed treatment. After a little over two weeks in care, this bird made a full recovery and was released back into the wild! 💗

Can you guess the eye of this bird? 👁️ ❔ Here’s a hint:This clever bird “dances” in the dirt, stamping its feet like rai...
12/17/2025

Can you guess the eye of this bird? 👁️ ❔

Here’s a hint:
This clever bird “dances” in the dirt, stamping its feet like raindrops to lure earthworms, insects, and crustaceans to the surface to eat.

Swift Rescue! 🪹 These four young White-throated Swifts were found on the ground beneath a bridge. After hydration and fr...
07/16/2025

Swift Rescue! 🪹 These four young White-throated Swifts were found on the ground beneath a bridge. After hydration and frequent feedings, they’re now thriving in our care! 💞

Their spines are specially adapted for clinging to vertical surfaces, so we feed them in custom baskets that let them perch naturally. They'll continue to be fed every 45 minutes throughout the day and will be ready for release very soon.

❔ Did you know? A group of swifts is called a scream—thanks to the loud screeching they make in flight!

🍪 If you're looking for some biscuit makers we got just the gal for you! Meet: 🧡Meowly Cyrus ID 🧡Florence ID 🧡Eartha ID ...
06/29/2025

🍪 If you're looking for some biscuit makers we got just the gal for you!

Meet:
🧡Meowly Cyrus ID
🧡Florence ID
🧡Eartha ID
🧡Najah ID

Stop by the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA or call 650-340-7022to schedule an appointment. Visit www.PHS-SPCA.org for more information.

💌 We had 57 adoptions this week! ✨ Here are some of them:
06/29/2025

💌 We had 57 adoptions this week! ✨ Here are some of them:

🐈 and adoption update! Chili is fitting right in, adding some fun and spice to his new home! 😸🌶️
06/29/2025

🐈 and adoption update! Chili is fitting right in, adding some fun and spice to his new home! 😸🌶️

Say hi to some American Robins! 👋 🥰 In the first week of June, we received two American Robin fledglings. One was foun...
06/25/2025

Say hi to some American Robins! 👋 🥰

In the first week of June, we received two American Robin fledglings. One was found on the ground in Foster City, and the other in Mountain View. Both were alone, with no parents in sight. They are currently being fed every 30 minutes throughout the day and will remain in care for about a month.

Songbirds must be raised together during rehabilitation so they can learn the social and behavioral skills they would typically gain from their parents. This increases their chances of survival and success when they are released back into the wild.

💌 Fun Fact: American Robins lay distinctive light blue eggs, a color caused by the bile pigment in the mother’s blood.

Do you like being outdoors and interested in wildlife? Are you a people person comfortable starting up conversations wit...
06/20/2025

Do you like being outdoors and interested in wildlife? Are you a people person comfortable starting up conversations with new people? If so, become a docent volunteer at our Saratoga Wildlife Care Center. Read more, and apply here: https://phs-spca.org/volunteer/positions/wildlife-docent/

Address

3027 Penitencia Creek Road
San Jose, CA
95132

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm
Sunday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+14089299453

Website

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