I always start with the usual apology, sorry. A lot has been going on since I last blogged. Always busy in the fall trying to get all of the little projects done before the snow flies. I also always like to attend the NY Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference and the NY Falconers Association Banquet. We had a very busy fall with wildlife programs as well. Check out the events page on the website, we have already booked several dates for 2012 appearances.
I spent two days last week filming with the National Geographic Channel for a new show called Extreme Animal Rescue. We took in the two bobcats from the zoo that was closing down. I wish that we could have taken in the Mountain Lion also but we just were not set up properly yet. The episode will probably be on TV by next September. I will make sure everyone knows when it will be on. We filmed one day at the zoo and the other day at our facility. It will be educational and entertaining I am sure of that.
Things at our facility have slowed down a lot this time of year but we are still getting in migrating birds that have been injured, mostly by cars. We still have a nice selection of domestic animals looking for long term homes but the numbers are not insane like they were last winter. We also have kittens and a 7 year old lab looking for a home before christmas.
As the year always comes to a close, I always do a lot of reflection on what we have done, what we need to do and goals for the next year. This upcoming year, I would like to finish the projects that we have started. I want to spend more time with my friends and family. I need to get off of the hill more to travel and camp. I need to get some new energy involved to help with fundraising, grant writing and public relations....I just cant wear so many hats anymore, I get tired and dont want to burn out. Till next time. WES
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Born Free
This past weekend was cool. I released some of our raccoons and skunks that I raised this year. I will post a couple of photos soon only because it will be impossible to tell the location from the photos. One year I actually posted some release photos and people tried to figure out where it was so that they could go and hunt the animals. I have no problem with humane hunting but trying to figure out where I released some coons so that you can go hunt them is about as simple as a person can get. I wish that I had that much free time.
Since last time, I took the Barn Owls down to the Old Stone Fort Days the first weekend of October. We hung out by the old Dutch Barn and we handed out nestbox plans for building Barn Owl Boxes....something that everyone should be doing so that they can get them hung up before the snow flies. Last weekend I took several Birds of Prey to the Iroquois Museum for their Iroquois Festival. I really envy the relationship that native american cultures had with nature and their environment.
I just received some great photos, which I will also try to have Gayle post on the blog. The Eagles have been released. Jean Soprano had taken the chicks from our facility for the last few weeks to further condition in her large flight building. With DEC they released the eaglets back into the wild the other day. I wish that I could have been there to see them fly off into the wild but Ive done it before so it isnt that big a deal.
I am more distracted by the news this am about the private exotic animal facility in Ohio where the guy released over 40 large carnivores and killed himself. I understand killing yourself but to let all of those poor animals loose into the wild (that they have never been in) which has resulted in almost all of them being gunned down to protect the public is sad. There are thousands of great facilities breeding exotic animals legally all over the USA, for some species it will be the only chance that they have at avoiding extinction. Unfortunately, as so often the case, some of these facilities get too big/too fast and the care of the animals in their care begins to suffer. It is sad (but true) that all animals can NOT be born free but it is better to be born than not exist at all isnt it? Laws, Regulations, Licenses and Inspections are all important to preserving the exotic animal facilities in line. I have often said that any place that calls themselves a "Rescue" should be inspected at least once a year and be accredited by a national rescue organization, even if one needed to be created. Most of the small facilities have been run out of business by the mountains of fees, licenses and paperwork created by several agencies to continue to operate. I have seen several well run zoos and facilities go out of business lately. What happens to those animals has always been my biggest concern. I currently know of a small privately run zoo that is closing. They have been trying to place their remaining animals in other places responsibly. They currently have an alligator, 2 snow monkeys, 3 bobcats and a MTN. LION that must be placed by December 1st.....I could probably make room for the bobcats and would be willing to take in the MTN. LION if the labor, funding and enclosure could be built and inspected by then. It is possible....Let me know if you can help. I really need a corporation or group to help on this rescue....I am getting tired. WES
Since last time, I took the Barn Owls down to the Old Stone Fort Days the first weekend of October. We hung out by the old Dutch Barn and we handed out nestbox plans for building Barn Owl Boxes....something that everyone should be doing so that they can get them hung up before the snow flies. Last weekend I took several Birds of Prey to the Iroquois Museum for their Iroquois Festival. I really envy the relationship that native american cultures had with nature and their environment.
I just received some great photos, which I will also try to have Gayle post on the blog. The Eagles have been released. Jean Soprano had taken the chicks from our facility for the last few weeks to further condition in her large flight building. With DEC they released the eaglets back into the wild the other day. I wish that I could have been there to see them fly off into the wild but Ive done it before so it isnt that big a deal.
I am more distracted by the news this am about the private exotic animal facility in Ohio where the guy released over 40 large carnivores and killed himself. I understand killing yourself but to let all of those poor animals loose into the wild (that they have never been in) which has resulted in almost all of them being gunned down to protect the public is sad. There are thousands of great facilities breeding exotic animals legally all over the USA, for some species it will be the only chance that they have at avoiding extinction. Unfortunately, as so often the case, some of these facilities get too big/too fast and the care of the animals in their care begins to suffer. It is sad (but true) that all animals can NOT be born free but it is better to be born than not exist at all isnt it? Laws, Regulations, Licenses and Inspections are all important to preserving the exotic animal facilities in line. I have often said that any place that calls themselves a "Rescue" should be inspected at least once a year and be accredited by a national rescue organization, even if one needed to be created. Most of the small facilities have been run out of business by the mountains of fees, licenses and paperwork created by several agencies to continue to operate. I have seen several well run zoos and facilities go out of business lately. What happens to those animals has always been my biggest concern. I currently know of a small privately run zoo that is closing. They have been trying to place their remaining animals in other places responsibly. They currently have an alligator, 2 snow monkeys, 3 bobcats and a MTN. LION that must be placed by December 1st.....I could probably make room for the bobcats and would be willing to take in the MTN. LION if the labor, funding and enclosure could be built and inspected by then. It is possible....Let me know if you can help. I really need a corporation or group to help on this rescue....I am getting tired. WES
Monday, October 3, 2011
Good Night Irene
Hi Everyone. I'll start with the usual apology...I havnt blogged since June, I am bad, everyone knows it. People often ask me what I do for fun, I always say "Sleep". Someone once asked how to get ahold of me, I said "Call late at night (518)827-7733 or email Laraway@midtel.net during the weekdays." Unfortunately, I can not access Facebook at school, they have it blocked so only the students can get on it with their phones (no, I refuse to get a cell phone). Facebook is pretty much the way that the world uses email now, the school censors will figure that out in time.
Since I have last blogged, the summer has been busy, as always. We had many visitors at our facility. We have taken our educational animals on the road to dozens of events. We have saved more animals than I could ever mention (or list) here in one blog. If you have ever explored our website, we always let people know where we are going to be. I am very proud of our wildlife preservation and conservation shows. Educating the public and trying to keep funding coming in to our facility has always been two of my biggest priorities. Coordinating Volunteers has also become a big part of my responsibilities as Director. Since our Not for Profit facility gets no State or Federal funding, I take help from who ever is handing it out.:) Help in labor, money or supplies is always welcomed.
As the summer came to a close and I was getting back into "School Mode" we also experienced a horrible natural disaster known as Irene. I awoke to the pounding rain on the metal roof that morning, I went to "nap/sleep" late that night after we had gotten the dozens of people settled in that had shown up at our house with no where else to go to get out of the valley. We are not flatlanders, from our facility we have the best view of Middleburgh that there is and it wasn't pretty for the next few days. Our critters and the folks that came looking for a place to stay were high and dry. My wife has always been a Saint, there was always soup on the stove, coffee in the pot and a warm blanket for who wanted it.
The next morning, one of my best friends and I went to check on the rest of the animals that I couldn't get off of his farm the day before because the water was coming up too fast. Most had drown in their efforts to escape but there were some miracles. Two of the four horses had went back into the barn with 7 feet of water. They had managed to climb up on round bales and were alive. A goat and a sheep made it with the same plan......and one little chicken. His llama had swam with the current over the fields to a neighbors a mile away. There were some happy stories, most were not. I didn't focus on the dead animals that we buried that first day after the flood. I focused on the live animals and the people that had lost just about everything that they owned. We are used to dealing with some floods in the Schoharie Valley, we were not prepared for Irene. Water got where it has never gotten before. For crying out loud, the Blenhiem Covered Bridge built in 1855 washed away (I will be putting my 1997 video of it from school on You Tube at some point soon).
For the last month, with my dedicated staff of volunteers, we have tried to deal with the after effects of Irene. We cleaned out houses, barns and stores. My wife still cooks too much for dinner. We still have a lot of animals that came in during the days after the flood. It is amazing to me how people that have "lost everything" will still go out of their way to save their animals and get them to a safe place. Many of the dogs, cats, horses, goats, cows,pigs, etc. that have come in to our facility do not have a farm or a home to return to. We will deal with it but winter is coming. I feel so bad for the farmers that have lost everything, their livestock, crops, equipment and barns. The hay that got wet during the flood did get hot enough to burn down some barns that survived the flood.
Watching the people of the Schoharie Valley dig out, throw out and work together to rebuild their homes, farms and our towns has been amazing. We might not have a gym or cafeteria at school but we have kids learning in our classrooms. Slowly the shops, restaurants and road stands will open back up.....I hope that everyone spends what they can afford with everyone that reopens their businesses. If you have hay, I know farmers that don't. Never take for granted that what you have today can't be gone tomorrow.....I've always said that I don't plan on taking any of it with me, these poor people lost a lot. It seems like the "outside world" has forgotten about us already. It is so easy to turn the channel on the TV or for a politician to go home after the photo opt is over and the promises have been made. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has lost anything from Irene. Keep your chin up, walk forward, tomorrow is another day. WES
Since I have last blogged, the summer has been busy, as always. We had many visitors at our facility. We have taken our educational animals on the road to dozens of events. We have saved more animals than I could ever mention (or list) here in one blog. If you have ever explored our website, we always let people know where we are going to be. I am very proud of our wildlife preservation and conservation shows. Educating the public and trying to keep funding coming in to our facility has always been two of my biggest priorities. Coordinating Volunteers has also become a big part of my responsibilities as Director. Since our Not for Profit facility gets no State or Federal funding, I take help from who ever is handing it out.:) Help in labor, money or supplies is always welcomed.
As the summer came to a close and I was getting back into "School Mode" we also experienced a horrible natural disaster known as Irene. I awoke to the pounding rain on the metal roof that morning, I went to "nap/sleep" late that night after we had gotten the dozens of people settled in that had shown up at our house with no where else to go to get out of the valley. We are not flatlanders, from our facility we have the best view of Middleburgh that there is and it wasn't pretty for the next few days. Our critters and the folks that came looking for a place to stay were high and dry. My wife has always been a Saint, there was always soup on the stove, coffee in the pot and a warm blanket for who wanted it.
The next morning, one of my best friends and I went to check on the rest of the animals that I couldn't get off of his farm the day before because the water was coming up too fast. Most had drown in their efforts to escape but there were some miracles. Two of the four horses had went back into the barn with 7 feet of water. They had managed to climb up on round bales and were alive. A goat and a sheep made it with the same plan......and one little chicken. His llama had swam with the current over the fields to a neighbors a mile away. There were some happy stories, most were not. I didn't focus on the dead animals that we buried that first day after the flood. I focused on the live animals and the people that had lost just about everything that they owned. We are used to dealing with some floods in the Schoharie Valley, we were not prepared for Irene. Water got where it has never gotten before. For crying out loud, the Blenhiem Covered Bridge built in 1855 washed away (I will be putting my 1997 video of it from school on You Tube at some point soon).
For the last month, with my dedicated staff of volunteers, we have tried to deal with the after effects of Irene. We cleaned out houses, barns and stores. My wife still cooks too much for dinner. We still have a lot of animals that came in during the days after the flood. It is amazing to me how people that have "lost everything" will still go out of their way to save their animals and get them to a safe place. Many of the dogs, cats, horses, goats, cows,pigs, etc. that have come in to our facility do not have a farm or a home to return to. We will deal with it but winter is coming. I feel so bad for the farmers that have lost everything, their livestock, crops, equipment and barns. The hay that got wet during the flood did get hot enough to burn down some barns that survived the flood.
Watching the people of the Schoharie Valley dig out, throw out and work together to rebuild their homes, farms and our towns has been amazing. We might not have a gym or cafeteria at school but we have kids learning in our classrooms. Slowly the shops, restaurants and road stands will open back up.....I hope that everyone spends what they can afford with everyone that reopens their businesses. If you have hay, I know farmers that don't. Never take for granted that what you have today can't be gone tomorrow.....I've always said that I don't plan on taking any of it with me, these poor people lost a lot. It seems like the "outside world" has forgotten about us already. It is so easy to turn the channel on the TV or for a politician to go home after the photo opt is over and the promises have been made. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has lost anything from Irene. Keep your chin up, walk forward, tomorrow is another day. WES
Monday, June 13, 2011
Eagle #4 Has Landed
"Orphan Season" is the best of times, worst of times. It is fun in that you never know what (or when) some cool animal is going to come to you that really needs your help. I hate the sleep deprivation involved, the fact that it is also the same time of year that things are very busy at school or the fact that I have to carefully listen on the phone to many well intentioned people that have an animal emergency that isnt an emergency at all . It often is a "animal abduction" and many times the babies are not orphans, they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and get caught. I don't always agree with the slogan "If you care leave it there" because there are many times that an animal is injured, starving or weak and we can help that animal and get it back into the wild.
Sunday mornings, my wife and I attempt to sit on our front porch and drink a cup of coffee together. It is one of the few times a week that we can talk without being interupted by our kids problems, animal problems and the phone ringing off of the hook. Yesterday I had just set down and I got the call from a cell phone in Minekill State Park. DEC had given this guy my number. The guy was fishing in a remote area with a friend and they had found a baby bald eagle sitting in the river. This is always the hard part. From a phone call with a distraught person, I need to make a judgement call....."Does the animal need help" or should it be left alone. From the information given, I decided that regardless of the species of bird (I really didnt expect another Eagle)it needed to get picked up. I explained how to do it without getting some talons into your arm. I explained that I tossed out my back last weekend and couldnt hike down into the woods for an hour to find them. I told them that I would be waiting in the parking lot at the trailhead and I gathered my gear and left my lovely wife sitting on the porch smiling as I pulled out to go meet them.
I got there before they had been able to hike all the way out. I was talking to some folks that were there to look at the waterfalls and I heard something crashing up through the woods. I figured it was either a bear or the guy with the Eagle so I went to take a look. Much to my surprise, it was an Eagle and the rather tired guy who had hiked an hour back out of the trail (all uphill) carrying it. I did a quick field inspection of the bird, could find no major issues other than the fledgling (bird just leaving the nest) is VERY thin and was having a bad day. Around 70% of all Raptors (Hawks, Owls and Falcons) die the first year of life and this Eagle was a day or two away from meeting his maker.I got the Eagle home, was waiting for another rehabber (Kelli GB) to arrive with a Great Horned Owl that was running around on the ground at the Stamford Golf Course. I could smell him before she opened her box. The GH Owl had obviously eaten a skunk the night before and had gotten sprayed. This has all happened by noon....on a sunday. :) Other rehabbers/falconer friends showed up and the eagle is stable. After an IV, the Eagle will get liquid nutrition for a few days, once he starts eating again we will get to work on solid food. Eagles are a nightmare to rehab, everyone wants to do them, there are a lot of politics in play. I am hoping that DEC and the Federal Office in Mass. will let Kelly Martin and I finish this bird. This is the 4th Eagle that I have picked up now and I would like to see one through and be released. We did it on the last one and I would like to see this eaglet fly off above the Schoharie Creek right where it was found.
The Eagle is really lucky that two guys fishing early on a sunday morning cared enough to forget about fishing and do the right thing to save this Eaglet from a certain death. I think that they are very cool guys and I am confident that this Eagle can be nursed back to health and can be released back where it came from. I hope that they will join me when that day comes, who knows, maybe after the release I will even do some fishing with them. Until next time, :) WES
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Scooby
Things have been busy since my last update. We are currently booking a lot of events for 2011. Dates are filling up fast. Be sure to check out our calendar of events and support our sponsors that bring our educational presentations on wildlife to the public. I blogged last year about Orphan Season and when to "save" baby animals and when to leave them alone (go back in blog history). I have gotten a lot of calls this year from well intentioned people that have kidnapped fledgling birds and hiding fawns from the wild. It is often very difficult to convince people to put animals back where they were abducted, in the wild. We help hundreds of animals every year but I can not raise any wild animal as well as their parent. I know that mother nature can be cruel but it is part of the cycle of life. Often one species misfortune is survival for another day for a different species. I am not starting to lecture, just use common sense. If in doubt, leave it out....bring in your darn cat and let the parents raise baby wildlife unless it is injured. Speaking of cats, I have 6 kittens that are weaned and really need new homes. Response to my pleas have went unnoticed. Does anyone read these blogs? They are using the litterbox, eating well and need a new home.:)
I also have a 2-3 year old St Bernard (shorthaired version) that is looking for a home. The lady that owned him is moving and can't keep him. He needs to get neutered and will be a great dog for who ever wants him. "Barney" loves kids, appears to be relatively vice free and needs to go.:) He is stuck in my kennel at the moment. I would be so tempted to keep him but I can't. We have hit our dog limit when I pick up Scooby today. Yes, I am getting another dog. It is my house and if you don't like it, don't visit. (Which is by appointment only):)
Scooby is an 11 month male Brindle Great Dane that our friends at Lollypop Farm found for us after Cleo died. The Rochester Humane Society is an amazing place. It is one of the best run, best managed, cleaniest, most professional and utterly amazing animal shelters that I have ever seen. I have worked with them on several different cases and I have formed friendships with many of their staff. Ceasar and Scooby will be best buddies I am sure. I am not sure what it is going to be like sleeping with two huge dogs (and a Daschund) but I am sure we will figure it out. Does anyone make beds bigger than a California King???? I pick up "Scooby" this afternoon after school. I will ask Gayle to put a photo of him up on this blog.... I am so excited and I think that Cleo would be glad that it took two Great Danes to replace her void.....Stay Cool. Adopt a kitten today....WES
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Happy Homeless LLamas
Tonight is the big night, the happy llamas are getting moved out of the front paddock. Besides for the 12 that have already been adopted and went to their new forever homes, the rest of the herd is moving up on the mountain. The horses are getting moved to the destroyed, devoured and devestated front paddock. Bruce, Mike and I have worked really hard to get the fences back up to the condition that they should be to contain the little mob of munching mouths that is soon to descend upon the fresh green grass of the back pasture. As happy and as nice as it will be to see the cow, mini-donkeys, Llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep and potbelly pigs up on the hill it is just another field to be eaten off. I have emailed and/or called everyone that I had received an email or an adoption application from. The llamas have been vaccinated, sheared, toenails trimmed, wormed and they have gained weight. Now they need to go to their forever homes where they can get the small herd TLC and care they need to finish their recovery and fatten up. I am sure that 20-30 of the llamas are too old, too thin or have issues that will prohibit them from getting adopted. That is fine, we can grow old together. But for the rest.....time to go to your new homes. I will be working around the farm for the 3 day holiday weekend. Schedule your appointment to come and pick out your llamas. I am ready to see them get on with the next phase of their lives. WES PS Wildlife Orphan Season is in full swing. Do NOT pick up baby wild animals unless you are sure that they need your assistance.:) Ceasar went to the vet. He now weighs 50 pounds, he gained 8 pounds in the two weeks since his last visit. I think that this little Great Dane isn't going to be little for long.:) NOT ONE PERSON has beat on our door begging for a cat. My girls (that have done all of their bottle feeding) are starting to think of names.......Please dont do this to me, adopt a kitty (I have several already)....the kittens are eating on their own now and using the litter box. PPS The next person that brings me a box of kittens will be beaten.:)
Monday, May 16, 2011
"Little" Kitties
I want to start off this blog by replying to everyone that has emailed me publicly, privately, on the blog and on facebook (I have 1000 friends now, do I get a prize?)...... I appreciate everything (positive) that you send me. The well wishes, kudos, compliments, etc. keep me going on many a day that I am ready to give up. I do not normally rescue dogs, cats or horses. There are other facilities that specialize in those three species and if I took them in regularly I would bankrupt our facility in a quick period of time. I do take in dogs, cats or horses (now and then) in certain circumstances. I ONLY do it if I think that they can be adopted quick or if it is a "do it or die" situation for the animal. I am only one guy, I can't save the world but I do the best that I can. There is a lot of details of stories that I do NOT write on the blog. I do vent now and then but I try to keep the blogs PG13 and I do NOT write down A LOT of the details when I write. I do work both "officially" and "off the record" with a lot of law enforcement agencies, humane societies and animal rights groups. I try to always do what is right by the animals and I don't push people under the bus to do it. I hope everyone knows what I am trying to say. "I've got it covered", don't ask or tell me what to do...."Im on it".....you don't need to know everything I do.....:) I save over 500 animals a year, I will never leave an animal where it is going to die but sometimes people with a badge need to do things legally. 'Nuff Said. I do take constructive criticism well if it is written on the third full moon of every quarter and mailed to me on invisible ink.....(joke).
Everyone that sent an email telling me what I should be doing, I have a surprise for you. You all get a kitten. Yes, that is right....no reason to fight, I have enough for all of you. They are cute too (I know all kittens are)...:) Bruce,one of the kids that volunteers at the farm (that I used to like), brought the kittens back to work with him this weekend. I was nice enough to let him go help another farmer load hay for a couple of hours to make some money. He came back bearing 6 little furry gifts....I am no longer mad at the kittens, just Bruce.
These kittens really need great homes as soon as they are weaned/eating better on their own. Im sure that Gayle will put a photo up on the blog so all of you can pick out your kitty....while supplies last. :) PLEASE help me out by adopting one (or two)....
Speaking of adoption, Llamas are ready, contact me and we can start getting the paperwork done and getting them moving. 8 have went to Bob and Viv Fultons, I have another 3 going to a farm locally this sat. morning. Rain, Rain, go away........WES
(Sorry the pictures are blurry ... we'll try to get better ones once we train the little wiglets to sit still. They're really cute, about 3 wks old, 4 tortie girls, 2 black boys with little white tips on their tails. --Gayle)
Everyone that sent an email telling me what I should be doing, I have a surprise for you. You all get a kitten. Yes, that is right....no reason to fight, I have enough for all of you. They are cute too (I know all kittens are)...:) Bruce,one of the kids that volunteers at the farm (that I used to like), brought the kittens back to work with him this weekend. I was nice enough to let him go help another farmer load hay for a couple of hours to make some money. He came back bearing 6 little furry gifts....I am no longer mad at the kittens, just Bruce.
These kittens really need great homes as soon as they are weaned/eating better on their own. Im sure that Gayle will put a photo up on the blog so all of you can pick out your kitty....while supplies last. :) PLEASE help me out by adopting one (or two)....
Speaking of adoption, Llamas are ready, contact me and we can start getting the paperwork done and getting them moving. 8 have went to Bob and Viv Fultons, I have another 3 going to a farm locally this sat. morning. Rain, Rain, go away........WES
(Sorry the pictures are blurry ... we'll try to get better ones once we train the little wiglets to sit still. They're really cute, about 3 wks old, 4 tortie girls, 2 black boys with little white tips on their tails. --Gayle)
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