July 2008 at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue

Let me welcome the new additions to this newsletter and introduce myself real quick:

The Rainbow Wildlife Rescue is a non-profit organization in Stephenville, Texas. My name is Birgit. 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.

!!! Most URGENTLY needed right now is KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) !!!

Current "Tough Case Project": DOOGLE, Chihuahua

My name is Doogle and I need help...

Doogle is a young Chihuahua that was thrown over the fence at the local animal shelter along with 3 other dogs. For 2 of those dogs it was too late, they died of starvation and severe parasite infestation.

Doogle weighed only 2.8 lbs when I took him home to foster. He weighs 3.4 lbs now after only 1 week.

From his behavior it is obvious that this dog had to have been confined in a tiny space all his life.

Doogle

He does not know what a leash is, nor how to walk on carpet, how to behave around other dogs or humans, never seen a car or a cat or had been held in loving arms.

Doogle is also a very timid dog and needs to be socialized to gain some confidence, and I know just the right place for that. Yes, right here at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue!
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Doogle

However, there are a few things that need to be taken care of before we can get down to some serious work. Neutering and vaccinations are on top of the list.

Doogle also has a deformity on his hind legs, which is common to dogs that have been confined in small spaces.

It does not seem to bother or hinder him at the moment, but I want a Vet to exam him and tell me if there might be problems with this further down the road and if that is the case, if something can be done to prevent that, such as surgery for example.

Unfortunately I do not have the financial means at the moment to cover the costs and I need help with that.

Watch a youtube movie with Doogle and his brother Doug!


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New Facilities

The Rainbow Wildlife Rescue is in the process of building new enclosures. For that we need your help! We have started to build a fence to secure an area for more aviaries and enclosures, so I can house different types of animals at the same time.

We are in need of material for these enclosures, such as galvanized screen (1/2 inch) as well as metal pipes or 2 x 4s for framing, concrete, washed rocks, mulch and wood chips for bedding, privacy fence panels, a utility shed for storing cages and feed, and most of all volunteers to help find the material and build it!

Thanks Kelli and Co. for getting us started with the fence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fence

For more details contact Birgit at help@rainbowwildlife.com

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!

At the moment I am looking for local volunteers that help me foster kittens. I need a few people that are willing to take 2 or 3 kittens and bottle feed them until they can eat on their own and can be adopted out into good homes.

I want to thank you ladies that are already pitching in, thank you all!!! The shelter is so overcrowded with kittens right now, every one we can foster right now, is one more that will not be euthanized.

For more details contact Birgit at help@rainbowwildlife.com

Wildlife

European Starling named Howdy Doody: he flew off 2 weeks ago never to be seen again.

2 Ducklings: they doing great and growing so fast. They will be released in about a week or 2.

Squirrels: all squirrels have been successfully released!

4 Opossums: They are getting all fuzzy now and are eating well on their own. From now on it's basically putting down bowls, keeping their facilities clean, watch them grow and then release them when they are ready They are already playing dead when they see me, which is good!

Raccoon: Bumble joined our family. He is a male raccoon baby of about 2 weeks, with his eyes still closed. He is my first raccoon, so this is quite an experience. Everything is working as smooth as it can be though.

Bumble

Pets

We had a scare with our 16 year old Sandy. She was in severe pain due to an eye infection. We rushed her to the vet and learned that she has not only glaucoma but also cataracts, is totally blind on one eye.

After the treatment and medication, Sandy feels much better, but she is getting very old. Even though losing a dog, especially after being with her for over 16 years, certainly is not something to look forward to, but she had such a great life, I think I would prefer to smile because I had her, instead of crying because I lost her. Probably both.

But for now she is still in good shape and we take it one day at a time.

Olivia, the Great Dane, was having some fun with Doug, Doogle's brother:

Miss Dolittle's Websites:

Kittenbaby.com - Puppy Education - Funny Animal E-Cards - Squirrel Rescue Texas - Rainbow Wildlife Rescue in Texas - Pets and Wildlife Forum - Magic Postcards - Blog