INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every week, “Pet Pals TV” shares a fun, interesting, and informative story about our-four legged and furry friend population.

On the latest “Pet Pals TV,” host Patty Spitler was joined by Krissi Williams from Animal Care Alliance to talk about how the organization is helping local animals, including a very special bird named Churro.

Churro, a crested caracara, was rescued and rehabilitated by the Animal Care Alliance in Richmond after being found in poor health in Sullivan County earlier this year.

The bird was discovered in June, unable to fly properly and suffering from multiple injuries, including missing talons and toes, a broken leg, and evidence of having been shot. Due to the cold climate in Indiana, Churro would not have survived without intervention.

Animal Care Alliance, which operates as a vet clinic and wildlife rehabilitation center, took Churro in and provided the necessary care to nurse him back to health.

“He’s a good boy. He’s very sweet. He’s had a hard life,” Williams said. “Crested caracaras, on average, only live about 10 years in the wild. In captivity, these birds, when they’re well taken care of, can live up to 30 years.”

Williams says the goal with wildlife rehab is to get the animals healthy and release them back into the wild, but sometimes, for animals like Churro, that’s not possible. So, with permission from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Churro has been given the special title of educational ambassador.

“We do school events, we do camps, we do some different fundraisers to educate people on animals in general,” Williams explained. “We have several educational ambassadors…owls, red-tailed hawks, and then we’ve got Churro.”

Animal Care Alliance also offers a range of services for pets, including low-cost spay and neuters and vaccinations.

Click here to learn more about the organization or make a donation.

You can watch “Pet Pals TV” on Saturdays at 10:30 on WISH-TV.

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