P O B O X 9 0 5 • R Y E , N E W Y O R K 1 0 5 8 0 • W W W. A N I M A L N A T I O N . O R G

Spring 2008

NewsHonoring the Earth

and all its Creatures……

DialoguesJust as babies have different cries and people

speak different languages with different inflections for different needs, so do birds and other animals. Most of us have heard baby birds cry for food; ducklings call for their mom, swans discipline their cygnets, but do we translate that into a real understanding of their feelings? We at Animal Nation would like to help you to do just that.

Animal Nation is a Rye, NY based non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness about the feelings and needs of wildlife; rescuing them and, when possible, returning them safely to the wild. Animal Nation desires to establish a wildlife sanctuary in Westchester County (where by the way, there is none) and is dedicated to eliminating cruelty to animals by promoting respect and kindness for all creatures.

You can make a big difference by using only organic products on your lawn and organic sprays on your trees.. Or, you can be a bit more active. Join our rescue team and learn how to care for a “little one” until it’s ready for release. Or, of course, make a direct donation and become a “member.” $50 can save 10 animals and/or birds.

Help us and help the environment by helping wildlife. Remember we are all connected and that really works when YOU make the difference. If it is good for wildlife, it’s good for you and the environment.

Wild Westchester’s 911The Wildlife Line is the brain child of Animal

Nation’s founder, Jill Doornick and Chantel Detlefs, formerly of the Rye Nature Center. A central line was needed that could direct the caller to the licensed rehabber best equipped to deal with that particular animal.

If you find a squirrel, a duck, a song bird, a turtle, whatever, even a raptor, you can call 914-967-0511. You will be directed to the right person and given specific “what to do” instructions immediately. It’s great! This single element has saved thousands of little wildlife souls.

Here’s another way you can make a difference: You can choose to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and assist Animal Nation in the care of these helpless little wild orphaned babies. Please contact us at www.animalnation.org and we will connect you with the right people. Another way to support the Wildlife Line is to send your donation to Animal Nation. It is 100% tax deductible.

We all know “knowledge is power.” And knowledge can easily be gleaned by reading real scientific data. But

do you know what power really is? We would like to suggest that power is the strength and security to be

caring, compassionate, understanding and willing to act on it so let’s start with;

Facts:

Twelve years of research with dolphins, chimps,

orangutans, dogs, parrots, octopus and others prove

that animals, birds, even some fish share with humans

a completely evolved brain that processes information

and gives rise to experience in much the same way as

the human cerebral cortex. In other words, they have a

self image. They experience joy, happiness, fear, anger,

pain, sorrow, and loss. They are all real beings. Yes,

Darwin was right all along (see National Geographic,

March 2008).

Both humans, animals and birds share many behaviors and needs. All

nurture and protect their young. All do not want to be alone nor confined

to a cage/crate/pen. All love fresh air, clean water and sunshine. All

like to be clean and sleep in a clean place/bed/cave/tree. None of us

like to be kicked, maimed, hit, abused in any way.

Our children…. all children love animals. Unfortunately many children

learn, perhaps by accident, that wild or domestic animals are dumb,

unfeeling, a nuisance, dirty. In fact, none of that is correct. Animals

think and feel much the same way we do. Perhaps we should follow

the lead of our children.

If you have an all organic lawn and beds, feed the birds, have a bird bath and

a bird feeder, absolutely you will have a yard full of the joyful sound of birds.

You will also have fewer mosquitoes and bugs in general. By nurturing

wildlife, you also have a win/win/win, endless music, a healthy yard. We

need to work with nature to see how we really are all connected.

2 Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures…

Do You Know?

Ivy Rose was 3 months old when we adopted her from the Elmsford Animal Shelter. A fraternity had decided that it would be fun to have a little pig as a mascot. They picked out the smallest piglet, took her home and called her “Dinner.” Although they did not intend to eat her, “Dinner” was not cooperating with their brotherhood antics (or maybe she just didn’t like her name). They decided to “get rid of her” and give her to the shelter. Piglets are not supposed to be taken away from mom at such an early age.

Ivy Rose was just as I had imagined a pig would be; so much like a dog only smarter, stronger and certainly more stubborn. But, just as loving and always wanting to be with us, whether you rubbed her tummy or not. You could talk to her and her eyes sparkled with understanding. She trusted me and I was able to put my hand in her mouth and massage her gums and teeth and touch her dainty little Miss Piggy feet. An expert, Cheryl Dumas, who runs a pig sanctuary in Northern Connecticut, coached me and told me that Ivy would have to get used to being touched everywhere so we could file her teeth and trim her feet when she grew over 250 lbs. By the way, standard Yorkshires like Ivy never stop growing. If they happen to enjoy life past the usual slaughter age of 6 months (250 lbs.), they will continue to geometrically enlarge up to 850 lbs.

We built a spacious and cozy outdoor/indoor pen for her with lots of hay for bedding. For exercise, she frolicked with the dogs at Rye Town Park. One day I counted 15 dogs fighting over the right to sniff her and be with her. We all had so much fun watching families and their dogs trying to figure out what breed of canine they were seeing. Ivy, of course, ate up the attention.

Our little piglet was now growing so rapidly and we knew that one day she would have to leave Rye and move to a farm sanctuary. We had her spade to ensure an adoption and tried to keep her weight down so the transport would be easier (no donuts!). As most pigs do, she always wanted to eat. I believe

pigs do that because of their need for affection. She was still growing and growing and

growing. The letter came from the City of Rye and it was time for

Ivy to go.Ivy Rose is over 5 years

old now, over 800 lbs and living happily with her

friend Cheryl and other pigs at the End of the Rainbow Sanctuary for pigs. I visit once a year and she still remembers me. Because of care and unconditional love, Ivy Rose and I remain connected.

– Jill Doornick

Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures… 3

IvY Rose

Here are a few ways you can make a huge difference starting the day you read this. Do it with your children and watch them beam in delight.

Put a solar operated water bath in your yard. With little effort on your part, you will see birds come to bathe or drink by the hundreds everyday. All birds love to be clean, just as we do.

Re-tree your yard. A 100 yard by 100 yard can easily accommodate two hardwoods, one evergreen and three to four Dogwoods or Cherries or Crabapples. Why do this? Trees reduce air and heat pollution. Trees add

oxygen to the air. They are certainly good for you and great for wildlife, all life really. You’ve also provided homes and food for the birds. Every time you help wildlife, you help the environment and you make your life literally healthier.

Carry the wildlife hotline number with you, 914-967-0511. If you are not prepared to help a downed bird, hurt squirrel, baby opossum, you can call right on the spot.

Plant everything with berries. Birds need a balanced diet, just like you. Strawberries make a great and beautiful ground cover. Blueberries mix well in perimeter plantings, and they are delicious. Winterberry is beautiful. Most Vibernums make berries. They are lovely and hardy.

Above all, do not buy a puppy from a pet store. The majority of puppies in a pet store come from puppy mills. Do you know what that means? The female is completely crate

bound. She has at least two litters a year until she becomes ill and dies. The puppies are taken very early from the mother in order to speed up the breeding time for the female. Literally, thousands of puppies suffer and die in shipping because of crowding, filth, heat and cold. Please, do not buy a puppy or any other animal from a pet store. All shelters have purebreds. Please adopt.

4 Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures…

what a DIffeRence a DaY MaKes

You really can

make a difference!

Animal Nation 2008 Calendar of EventsMarch

22nd – Living Animals – a children’s program – go to www.co.westchester.ny.us/parks 29th – Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator – Tea Town Lake, Ossining - 914-762-2912

April4th – Wags and Whiskers Dinner to benefit Cat Assistance and Pet Adoption League Coveleigh Club, Rye, NY 914-937-PURR13th – Family Hike and Learn – Wainwright House and Marshlands Conservancy, Rye19th – Earth Day – Rye Nature Center, Rye 914-967- 515012th to 18th – Green Week in Larchmont / Mamaroneck www.sheldrakecenter.org

Mark the DateAugust 14th -18th – Animal Rights 2008 National Conference in Washington D.C.September 20th – Westchester Pet Adoption Fair and Expo, County Center WP, NYOctober 5th – Blessing of the Animals - Wainwright House, Rye

Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures… 5

calenDaR hIghlIghts

Everybody loves spring, especially wildlife. But, spring is not always so good for wildlife. Many folks buy chicks, baby ducks and bunnies for their children for Easter. This almost never goes well because the babies grow up to be chickens, ducks and rabbits – not ideal house pets. They have not learned survival skills as do wild animals. What to do? The best solution is not to buy the babies from the get go. If that is not possible, when they grow, call the Wild Life Line so the animals can be placed safely.

Spring is also not the time to do tree work. The

tree is pumping food through the heartwood. Large cuts will cause the tree to bleed. Birds, squirrels and raccoons may well be nesting. Cutting down the tree destroys the family. Do tree work in late summer or fall. It’s better for everyone and every tree.

Keep your eyes and ears open for sights and sounds of baby animals possibly sick, injured, or in harms way. Before you take them from their natural home, call our hotline 967-0511 for help! Please no unnecessary ‘kidnapping’ this spring!

Everybody Loves Spring

You can make a difference. Join Animal Nation and help us help you!o Yes, I would like to join Animal Nation for 12 months – My check is enclosed

o $50 Spirit o $125 Elf o $225 Angel o $500 Arc Angel

o $1000 Saint o Other ____

o Yes, I want you to send me organic lawn instructions

oYes, I want the telephone number for organic lawn and tree sprays

o Yes, I am interested in learning about how to care for a baby bird, squirrel, etc.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________________________________________________________

P O B O X 9 0 5 • R Y E , N E W Y O R K 1 0 5 8 0 • W W W. A N I M A L N A T I O N . O R G

Spring 2008

NewsHonoring the Earth

and all its Creatures……

P.O. BOx 905 • Rye, New yORk 10580

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