Regulars and Shorts

Animalia: November 2011

By catalyst

Ideas, profiles, products & news for all things animal.

Animal Angel: National Ability Center (NAC)

The National Ability Center (NAC) equestrian program offers three different forms of equine-assisted activities and therapy six days a week. NAC has been providing this affordable program to individuals of all ages with physical and/or cognitive disabilities and their families since 1985. Located in Park City, the beautiful 17,000 sq. ft. arena (heated in winter) and barn provide riding year-round. Volunteer opportunities are available for the Equestrian program as well. www.discovernac.org

Waylon

waylonWaylon, an older gentleman, got this name because he likes to hum. Can’t get much better than a humming llama. If you want to sing along with him, he’s waiting for your call.

Calamity Jane

calamity-janeA sweet adult La Mancha/Nubian goat, Jane has two baby bucks available to be adopted with or without mama. 

Our animals come to you this month from Fullmer Menagerie Animal Rescue, which visits shelters and fosters animals who haven’t yet found a home, including animals with special needs. They work on any issues to make pets more adoptable. Fullmer Menagerie has some wonderful dogs that you should also check out: www.fullmermenagerieanimalrescue.com, or www.petfinder.com/shelters/UT129.html

News bites & special events 

November 12: 13th Annual Ching Farm Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner. Columbus Community Center, 2531 South 400 East, South Salt Lake. More info and tickets at brownpapertickets.com

November 13: PETCO, the PETCO Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, and Hill’s Science Diet will host the second annual pet food drive. Food donations will be accepted at any PETCO locations during business hours. Hill’s Science Diet will match donations of Science Diet pet food purchased at PETCO. 

Multimedia

Read: Best Friends by Samantha Glen. A moving story (be prepared for tears) of how Utah’s own Best Friends Sanctuary began roughly 25 years ago with an inspired group of 18 friends from all corners of the world, and how their shared commitment to animal advocacy altered the animal rights world across the country.

Watch: Anyone who believes animals don’t feel empathy, watch this: Elephants saving their baby. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O-BFMcwiY8

Website: Wild Aware Utah. Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Wildlife Protec­tion Society (WPS), and Utah State Uni­versity (USU) have partnered to develop this great resource for learning about Utah wildlife, how wildlife and humans may live together harmoniously, and what you can do to help. www.wildawareutah.org

Did You Know?

You are the key to fighting poaching in Utah. The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) uses the help of hunters and nature lovers to catch poachers.

Deer, elk, mountain goats—whatever lives in the wild can fall victim to poachers. Though DWR officers catch wildlife violators on their own, many more are caught be­cause someone witnessed a violation and called it in. 

Suspicious scenarios might be a big game animal missing its head, a killed animal left whole or a trapped animal left for more than 48 hours. Sometimes what you witness may seem minor at the time, but it often leads to the discovery of serious wildlife crimes.

If you see suspicious activity, don’t confront the person who is committing the violation. Call Utah’s “Turn in a Poacher” hotline at 800-662-3337 to get an officer to the scene. It’s best if you can provide a license plate number, description of the person/vehicle, and the location where the violation is occurring. GPS coordinates are helpful if they are available.

This article was originally published on October 31, 2011.