Nestled on 30 peaceful acres not far outside the city limits, Turtle Ridge, a nonprofit animal hospital, offers refuge to injured and orphaned wildlife.

With people and animals sharing more space as local development spreads, it is more common for people to find injured or orphaned animals in their neighborhoods.  

The volunteers at Turtle Ridge deal with fawns, ducks, skunks, raccoons, and songbirds, but they have also provided care to a wild mink, beavers, otters, and the occasional fox. The day Salem Monthly visited Turtle Ridge, two tiny baby squirrels had just been "admitted" and a pigeon, wood duck, and crow were recovering under the care of volunteers.

"Wildlife has the same medical care needs that domestic animals do, but they are critically different in nutritional issues, handling, housing, releasing, capture, et cetera," Bliss said. "There is a tremendous amount we have to learn to be good caregivers and constant education is critical."

One volunteer, Irma Massey, is known for doing whatever it takes to ensure a rescue including climbing trees and "diving" for ducks. Another active volunteer, Jan Petree, admits to donning a wetsuit to enter cold Mill Creek to rescue some ducklings.

"There are so many heartwarming stories," Petree says. "We wish them (the animals) happy lives, healthy lives."

On the other hand, Bliss recalls a story of an injured skunk that didn't survive and with tears in her eyes notes, "There is a lot of heartbreak as well."

Turtle Ridge is located at Bliss' home, a result of the size of her property and that she has the licenses/permits to provide the rehabilitative care.

"I was the one with the farm," Bliss said.  

Now Turtle Ridge seems to belong on the Bliss property and they have plans to build a new facility to provide additional care and have more room for animals. Because of the size of the existing facility, Turtle Ridge does not have a surgery room or x-ray equipment, and isn't able to give anesthesia to or, if necessary, euthanize the animals. Recently, Turtle Ridge volunteers rescued a beaver that without immediate help was destined to die. A volunteer had to drive the beaver to McMinnville. If Turtle Ridge had a bigger and better equipped facility, the beaver could have been treated there and with greater comfort. When the beaver had to be moved into a van for transport, volunteers say its cries of pain were excruciating to hear.  

"There are a lot of vets in town who are willing to donate their time," Bliss said, "but we need a better facility to be able to provide an increased level of care."

While Turtle Ridge does not offer tours, as they are more of a hospital than a zoo, they do make presentations to classrooms and businesses to help educate people on how to coexist with local wildlife.  

"There is a lot of value to the ecosystem for every critter that exists," Bliss said.  

"Everything has its place."  

Folks at Turtle Ridge hope to offer more onsite education once they complete the new facility this summer.

Having secured half the funding for the new facility, Turtle Ridge plans to erect the new building in early May and be fully functional by July 1.