November 2008 at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
The Rainbow Wildlife Rescue is a non-profit organization in Stephenville, Texas. My name is Birgit Sommer.
I founded the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue and am a licensed Wildlife
Rehabilitator for the State of Texas as well as a Shelter Walker and
volunteer foster parent for the Erath County Humane Society.
I, like many other licensed wildlife rehabilitators, work out of my own
home and volunteer my time and just about every spare cent I can
gather. No state funding is available for animal caging, veterinary
care, medicine or food. That's why most rehabilitators gratefully
accept donations towards the care of animals they receive from the public.
If I find enough time, I accept various online jobs including web design and hosting, to add to the funds needed to maintain the rescue. So, if you need a website or know somebody that does, here is a list of clients.
In this Issue:
Hurricane Ike's Squirrels have been released!
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Thanks to Mike Phinney, who was so kind and offered the squirrels a ride to freedom in East Texas. He took them along and released them in a perfect place.
Thank you, Mike!!!! |
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Shocker of the Month!
Trinity, a Yellow Labrador mix, is also Honey's daughter, for those of you who remember Honey, who is now a service dog, was stolen from the Erath County Humane Society! We immediately printed out flyers (view flyer here), informed the local veterinary offices as well as the officials in neighboring towns.
A police report was filed and Crimestoppers put up a $1000 reward for Trinity's safe return.
It took nearly 3 weeks when we finally received the phone call that a dog matching Trinity's description had turned up a the Dublin animal shelter. And it was indeed Trinity! She was found wandering the streets of a different town, but now she is back safe and sound!
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Stephenville Dog Park Issue placed on City Council Agenda!
I had started an online petition in favor of a much needed dog park in Stephenville. Today I sent my research and request for review in to be placed on the Stephenville City Council Agenda next week.
Please support the creation of an enclosed, off-leash dog park in Stephenville, TX! Our beautiful and fast growing City of Stephenville, Texas, does not offer a place where responsible dog owners have the opportunity to let their dogs off leash, nor are there enough Animal Control Officers to enforce the law and City Ordinances regarding the animal and human welfare.
As a result, dog-related incidents are increasing due to more dog owners moving to Stephenville. A dog park would not only provide a safe place for owners to exercise their canine friends, but it would also provide a place for the community to meet and share a common interest.
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Talking Animals - Free Hilarious Postcards!
You just have to see for yourself! I am in the process of adding Holiday and Christmas Cards in this style as well, so keep an eye out if you like these cards.
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| Click Pictures to get to the Postcards |
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Kiwanis Club
I was invited and enjoyed a luncheon with the Kiwanis Club here in Stephenville. I was asked to give a 20 minute speech about my rescue and the local wildlife, which I enjoyed tremendously. I sure hope that the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Kiwanis Club did the same.
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Erath County Humane Society Animal Shelter
I want to mention the ECHS, since they have a current Adoption List on petfinder.com. I go to the shelter at least once a week and take pictures to update the petfinder page. It has been a great success!
Don't Buy, Adopt a Pet!
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Currently residing at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
So, here I thought I'm going to get bored now that the rescue is empty during the winter season. No babies are being born around this time of year, unless out of season domesticated animals such as kittens and puppies.
As soon as I was done cleaning everything and repairing and/or replacing the little things that broke over the summer, I got the phone call from the Erath County Humane Society.
| 7 puppies had been thrown into the trash in a box and if I could and would. Of course! But 7 is a lot of puppies to feed, so I reached out and found 2 sweet and kind ladies, Laura and Kelli, that took a few off my hands, so I'm down to 2 puppies. Laura took 3 and Kelli 2 puppies. I'm so very grateful to you both!!!!! |
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Thank goodness I had some room, because a day alter I received 4 kittens that had been rescued from a fire. It was a very close call. One of the little noses had been burned and they were coughing and smelling of smoke, black with ashes So I bathed them, put some antibiotics on the wounds, fed them, and put them on a heating pad.
| The eyes are just opening and they are otherwise in good shape, so I'm hopeful, providing that the lungs didn't get damaged by the smoke and heat.
A day later I transferred 2 of the kittens to Kelli, a volunteer that works at a vet's office. These 2 kittens were coughing up a storm and wouldn't eat. They are much better off in professional care, now that it is available! |
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The other 2 kittens are coughing occasionally, but are eating well, so I kept them here, which leaves me with 2 puppies and 2 kittens for now.
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That was it for the month of November and the first week of December.
I wish ya'll HAPPY CRITTERY HOLIDAYS!!!!!! Don't forget gifts for your pets and always remember:
CHOCOLATE CAN KILL DOGS!
Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that dogs can't metabolize quickly. If a dog ingests a large amount of chocolate, the theobromine can build up and reach a toxic level of concentration, leading to cardiac arrest.
Different types of chocolate are more harmful than others, and the effects will vary, depending upon the size and weight of the dog. However, it is potentially lethal. I know this for a fact, because it cost $450 in vet bills for 2 of my dogs that got into chocolate and almost died.
If you know your dog has ingested chocolate (signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, a quick heart rate, and rapid breathing) take him to a vet immediately!!!!
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Miss Dolittle's Websites:
Critter Blog with Daily Updates - Kittenbaby.com - Puppy Education - Funny Animal E-Cards - Squirrel Rescue Texas - Rainbow Wildlife Rescue in Texas - Pets and Wildlife Forum - Magic Postcards - MissDolittle on Youtube - Webdesign in Support of the Rescue