1. News
Honoring the Earth
and all its Creatures…… Spring 2008
PO BOX 905 • RYE, NEW YORK 10580 • W W W. A N I M A L N A T I O N . O R G
Dialogues Wild Westchester’s 911
The Wildlife Line is the brain child of Animal
Just as babies have different cries and people
Nation’s founder, Jill Doornick and Chantel Detlefs,
speak different languages with different inflections for
formerly of the Rye Nature Center. A central line was
different needs, so do birds and other animals. Most
needed that could direct the caller to the licensed
of us have heard baby birds cry for food; ducklings
rehabber best equipped to deal with that particular
call for their mom, swans discipline their cygnets, but
animal.
do we translate that into a real understanding of their
If you find a squirrel, a duck, a song bird, a turtle,
feelings? We at Animal Nation would like to help you
whatever, even a raptor, you can call 914-967-0511.
to do just that.
You will be directed to the right person and given
Animal Nation is a Rye, NY based non-profit
specific “what to do” instructions immediately. It’s
organization dedicated to building awareness about
great! This single element has saved thousands of
the feelings and needs of wildlife; rescuing them
little wildlife souls.
and, when possible, returning them safely to the
Here’s another way you can make a difference: You
wild. Animal Nation desires to establish a wildlife
can choose to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
sanctuary in Westchester County (where by the way,
and assist Animal Nation in the care of these helpless
there is none) and is dedicated to eliminating cruelty
little wild orphaned babies. Please contact us at
to animals by promoting respect and kindness for all
www.animalnation.org and we will connect you with
creatures.
the right people. Another way to support the Wildlife
You can make a big difference by using only
Line is to send your donation to Animal Nation. It is
organic products on your lawn and organic sprays
100% tax deductible.
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.

2. Do You Know?
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.
 you have an all organic lawn and beds, feed the birds, have a bird bath and
If
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…

3. IvY Rose
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
Ivy Rose was 3 months old when we adopted down so the transport would be easier (no donuts!).
her from the Elmsford Animal Shelter. A fraternity As most pigs do, she always wanted to eat. I believe
had decided that it would be fun to have a pigs do that because of their need for affection.
little pig as a mascot. They picked out the She was still growing and growing and
smallest piglet, took her home and called her growing. The letter came from the
“Dinner.” Although they did not intend to City of Rye and it was time for
eat her, “Dinner” was not cooperating with Ivy to go.
their brotherhood antics (or maybe she Ivy Rose is over 5 years
just didn’t like her name). They decided to old now, over 800 lbs and
“get rid of her” and give her to the shelter. living happily with her
Piglets are not supposed to be taken away friend Cheryl and other pigs at
from mom at such an early age. the End of the Rainbow Sanctuary for pigs. I visit
Ivy Rose was just as I had imagined a pig would once a year and she still remembers me. Because of
be; so much like a dog only smarter, stronger and care and unconditional love, Ivy Rose and I remain
certainly more stubborn. But, just as loving and connected.
always wanting to be with us, whether you rubbed
her tummy or not. You could talk to her and her eyes – Jill Doornick
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.
Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures… 3

4. what a DIffeRence a DaY MaKes
Here are a few ways you can make a huge difference bound. She has at least two litters a year
starting the day you read this. Do it with your children until she becomes ill and dies. The puppies
and watch them beam in delight. are taken very early from the mother in order
to speed up the breeding time for the female.
Put a solar operated water bath in your yard. Literally, thousands of puppies suffer and die

With little effort on your part, you will see in shipping because of crowding, filth, heat
birds come to bathe or drink by the hundreds and cold. Please, do not buy a puppy or any
everyday. All birds love to be clean, just as other animal from a pet store. All shelters
have purebreds. Please adopt.
we do.
 Re-tree your
yard. A 100 yard by
You 100 yard can easily
really can accommodate two
hardwoods, one
make evergreen and three
to four Dogwoods or
a difference! 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
4 Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures…

5. calenDaR hIghlIghts
Animal Nation 2008 Calendar of Events
March
22 – Living Animals – a children’s program – go to www.co.westchester.ny.us/parks
nd
29th – Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator – Tea Town Lake, Ossining - 914-762-2912
April
Wags and Whiskers Dinner to benefit Cat Assistance and Pet Adoption League
4–
th
Coveleigh Club, Rye, NY 914-937-PURR
13 – Family Hike and Learn – Wainwright House and Marshlands Conservancy, Rye
th
19th – Earth Day – Rye Nature Center, Rye 914-967- 5150
12th to 18th – Green Week in Larchmont / Mamaroneck www.sheldrakecenter.org
Mark the Date
August 14 -18 – Animal Rights 2008 National Conference in Washington D.C.
th th
September 20th – Westchester Pet Adoption Fair and Expo, County Center WP, NY
October 5th – Blessing of the Animals - Wainwright House, Rye
Everybody Loves Spring
Everybody loves spring, especially wildlife. But, tree is pumping food through the heartwood. Large
spring is not always so good for wildlife. Many folks cuts will cause the tree to bleed. Birds, squirrels and
buy chicks, baby ducks and bunnies for their children raccoons may well be nesting. Cutting down the tree
destroys the family. Do tree work in late summer or
for Easter. This almost never goes well because the
fall. It’s better for everyone and every tree.
babies grow up to be chickens, ducks and rabbits –
not ideal house pets. They have not learned survival Keep your eyes and ears open for sights and
skills as do wild animals. What to do? The best sounds of baby animals possibly sick, injured, or in
harms way. Before you take them from their natural
solution is not to buy the babies from the get go. If
home, call our hotline 967-0511 for help! Please no
that is not possible, when they grow, call the Wild
Life Line so the animals can be placed safely. unnecessary ‘kidnapping’ this spring!
Spring is also not the time to do tree work. The
Honoring the Earth and all its Creatures… 5

6. NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
News PAID
PERMIT NO. 768
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10610
Honoring the Earth
and all its Creatures…… Spring 2008
P.O. BOx 905 • Rye, New yORkW10580M A L N A T I O N . O R G
PO BOX 905 • RYE, NEW YORK 10580 •
W W. A N I
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o $50 Spirit o $125 Elf o $225 Angel o $500 Arc Angel
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