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Community donations help nonprofit haven care for hurt animals

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

OCKLAWAHA —Among the sounds of crowing roosters, honking geese, chirping birds and barking dogs at All Creatures Sanctuary, a farm that rehabilitates feathered, furred and scaled creatures, volunteers are all smiles while surrounded by the animals’ chatter.

The nonprofit sanctuary, located 12 miles from The Villages, strives to rescue and care for injured wildlife, abused or tortured domestic animals, exotics and farm animals.

“Our goal for injured or orphaned wildlife is to release them back into the wild, whenever possible,” said founder Tish Hennessey. “If that’s not possible, we are a sanctuary. Therefore, we provide a loving, permanent home.”

The sanctuary relies on donations from the community to care for the animals. Hennessey also is grateful for volunteers who donate their time and services. Among the faithful volunteers is Jean Zekas of Summerfield.

Zekas places orphaned dogs and cats into foster home arrangements in the community, and she also coordinates fundraisers for the sanctuary.

Among the most popular fundraisers are holiday pontoon boat rides along the Ocklawaha River, where Villagers and newcomers love seeing Old Florida on the water while helping the sanctuary at the same time.

“People call and say, ‘When are you going to have another cruise?’” Zekas said.

She believes Villagers will be happy to know there will be St. Patrick’s Day weekend boat rides. The cruises Saturday will depart at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Eureka Bridge, north of State Road 40, while the cruises Sunday will depart at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Nelson’s Fish Camp, south of Weirsdale on County Road 42.

Reservations are a must for the 75-minute rides. They can be made by calling Zekas at 347-9974. The fee is $20 per person, and Zekas will provide callers with directions. Zekas and Hennessey would love to place more dogs and cats into foster homes. All of the canines and felines have been spayed or neutered, are housebroken and have had their shots.

There is Lovey, a 9-month-old lemon-and-white boxer mixed breed.

“She is a baby who had babies,” Hennessey said. “Now spayed, she needs a home of her own.”

Teddy Bear is a 10-month-old neutered male, part golden retriever, who, according to the women, is full of energy and looking to give love.

“He needs a lot of room to run and play,” Hennessey said. “Teddy Bear gets along with everyone and other animals.”

Lil’ Red is a 3-year-old spayed female with big brown eyes. Weighing 35 pounds, Lil’ Red is a short-haired mixed breed. The sanctuary believes she would be ideal for a single person or a couple with no other animals.

And there is Brave Bear, a 12-month-old small shepherd mix in need of love.

Among the cats are two that the women call the “velveteen twins.”

“Identical in love and appearance, these two 7-month-old spayed females are inseparable,” Hennessey said. “They are exceptional in the ability to love and please human friends. These two must stay together.”

And there is Tuxedo, a 1-year-old spayed female full of love and curiosity.

“She is all black with a white tummy,” Hennessey said. “She is a special creature.”

Zekas makes the initial home visit with a potential foster family, and the last step involves bringing the animal over to see what it thinks of the family.

“Animals have to approve, too,” Hennessey said.

One of the signs, she noted, is the sight of a happy, wagging tail.

The sanctuary has become a dumping ground for unwanted cats and dogs, much to Hennessey’s dismay.

“Our focus is native Florida wildlife, but people have tied the dogs in all kinds of conditions to my gate,” she said. “This places great physical and emotional stress and stretches our meager budget beyond repair. Yet, when you see dogs that are dying, sick or have been beaten, when do you say no? I can’t because they are one of God’s creatures.”

However, Hennessey stresses that many agencies are better equipped to take care of canines.

“We’re not set up to do dogs, yet every animal here is a rescue,” she said. “Some of these dogs have been through trauma, the trauma of abandonment, starvation, abuse. It’s just a gamut of things.

“We have poured our hearts and soul and love into these animals,” she added, “and to rehabilitate them so that they can go back out into a home of their own, if they want to.”

Hennessey and Zekas have found the fostering program works well for all concerned. If the foster dog parent can no longer care for the dog, the animal goes back to the sanctuary.

Residents interested in learning more about the foster program may call Zekas at 347-9974. Those who wish to send monetary donations to help the animals may send them to All Creatures Sanctuary, P.O. Box 723, Ocklawaha, FL 32183.

SOURCE: The Daily Sun

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