SPCA: Priscilla

Priscilla is a lovely kitty who loves to be pet. She has extra toes on her little feet that make her absolutely adorable. Priscilla loves people, and is very sweet.

She is an older kitty, and needs a home with no little children in which to spend her golden years.

Will that home be with you?

The American Robin

The American robin can be found throughout North America. They are a migratory species, wintering in Canada, and spending their springs and summers in the USA.

Robins are active during the day, and roost in trees or bushes. Nests are built compleatley by the females. Robin nests are made of coarse grass, twigs, and some feathers. This outer foundation is lined with mud, and cushioned with soft grasses.

Robins lay three to five light blue eggs that hatch after 14 days. Baby robins leave the nest two weeks later.

Robins eat berries, fruits, worms, grubs, caterpillars, and other insects. They hunt by sight, not hearing.




sources: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/robin/ConfusingMigration.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Robin#Distribution_and_habitat

The Pigeon

Pigeons live all over earth, except in the driest regions. Pigeons nest on ledges and buildings.

A pigeon's diet is mainly made up of seeds and fruit. Pigeons can be split up into two groups, the "seed eaters" and the "fruit eaters". "Fruit eaters" normally eat from trees, while "seed eaters" feed on the ground.

Pigeons lay two white eggs, and it takes the eggs 18 days to hatch. Baby pigeons leave the nest when they reach 30 days. Pigeons create a special substance called "pigeon milk" from their crop that they feed to hatchlings during their first week of life.

Pigeons live about five years in the wild, and about 15 years in captivity.


sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbidae#Distribution_and_habitat
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pigeonwatch/your-questions/questions-about-mating-and-nesting

The red squirrel

Red squirrels are found throughout Alaska, Canada, and parts of the eastern United States. Squirrels live in forests.

Red squirrels eat many things, including insects, nuts, berries, mushrooms, and bark. Red squirrels keep cashes of food under logs or under roots. these cashes are called middens.

"So." you might be thinking. "what's the difference between red squirrels and other squirrels besides color?" Well, not much, but the main difference is size. Gray squirrels are larger than red squirrels, as is illustrated in the following picture:




Red squirrels have litters between three and seven babies. Babies reach maturity at 18 weeks of age.




source:
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redsquirrel.htm

The green frog, and happy St. Patrick's day!

Happy St. Patrick's day, everybody!

Now, it may be "hard being green" for 'ol Kermit the frog, but for most of these hoppity creatures, green is camouflage from birds, turtles, snakes, and other predators.

Frogs love water. They live in and around marshes, streams, swamps, ponds, and lakes. They are native to North America.

Up to 7000 eggs can be laid, and they hatch in 3-7 days. Tadpoles make the metamorphosis into frogs at 3-22 months. Frogs reach maximum size at 4 or 5 years of age.

Green frogs are carnivores, and eat many of types of insects, as well as lugs, snails, and crayfish. Tadpoles eat algae, diatoms, and some zooplankton.



source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rana_clamitans.html

SPCA: Sebastian

If you want a cat who's a never-ending cuddle machine, Sebastian's the guy for you.

He lost his ear tips to frostbite, but that just adds to his adorableness. He has a nice attitude, and is good with dogs.

Sebastian's a sweet, cuddly, purry kitty who's waiting for his forever home.

Will you give him one?

The Baboon

The baboon is a smart and crafty animal, but can be a pest. The baboon in the photo, for example, was eating trash.

Baboons live in the savannas and woodlands of eastern Africa, and of all the primates, they interact with people the most.

They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and are omnivorous. Grass makes up a large part of their diet, as well as berries, roots, and fish, rabbits, and other small animals.

The gestation period of baboons can last up to 195 days, and babies are weaned when they reach a year old. They are considered mature at five to eight years. One baby is born at a time.



sources: http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/engbaboon.html
http://www.worldstory.net/en/savana/baboon_baby.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baboon#Mating_and_birth

Book Review: "A Dog's Life" by Ann M. Martin

A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin is one of my all-time favorite books about dogs. It features the story of Squirrel, a stray dog, and is told from her own perspective.

Squirrel and her brother Bone were born in a shed to a wild dog called Stream. For the first few months, all is well, and Stream teaches her pups the way of the world. But then, Stream dies, and the two young ones are left on their own.

They wander, roaming the countryside and foraging, and are happy for a while. But then they are separated, and Squirrel finds herself on her own. But Squirrel is not helpless. She meets friends along her way, and she meets enemies. Squirrel must find her way in a world that can be both friendly and cruel.

This heartwarming tale of a dog who never gives up is sure to melt even the hardest hearts.

Wild Things Sanctuary

As well as volunteering at the SPCA Annex, I also volunteer at the Wild Things Sanctuary in Ithaca.
Wild Things is a non profit wildlife rehabilitation center. It is dedicated to helping wildlife however it can, and once the animals Wild Things take in are healthy and happy, they are released into the wild.

Wild Things' website is http://www.wildthingssanctuary.org/ or click here to visit it directly.

This is a picture of a pigeon at Wild Things. Victoria, the owner of the company, took the picture.

The Peafoul

These beautiful birds are best known for the gorgeous tails that males have. These feather covered tails are flared when he wants to impress the ladies.

While "peacock" is generally referred to the entire species, "peacocks" are actually male. "Peahen" is the term for a female peafowl.

Peahens lay 3 to 28 eggs in a year, and it takes 28 days until the eggs hatch.

Peacocks like forests and semi-open plains, and like8-5+ shelter as well as the outside. They nest on the ground and roost in trees.

Peacocks are omnivores, and eat seeds, grains, lentils, insects, and amphibians.




sources: http://www.bird-breeds.com/Peacock.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006040504243
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Behaviour

Tompkins County SPCA

I volunteer at the Tompkins County SPCA, a non-kill animal shelter. The shelter has a storefront in the local mall, called the SPCA Annex. It is at the Annex that I work. The SPCA's website is http://www.spcaonline.com/ and click here to visit it directly.

I have received permission to post here about cats that are up for adoption, in the hopes that readers will become interested and give a feline a loving home. For they need it, readers. They need it.

Today's feature kitty is Abby, pictured at left. She is a sweet older cat who has been at the SPCA for over a year, and really needs a home.

Abby is sweet, and loves attention, but she has a neurological issue that causes her legs to wobble when she walks. Don't let this dissuade you from adopting her, though, Abby really really needs a home.

Won't you give this purr-fect kitty a home?

The Cat by Lydia F.

This poem was written by my sister, Lydia:








Watching her helps me unwind
Tail curled round, paws entwined
An example for mankind
Resting there, relaxed, refined

Sunlight streams down on her frame
Napping there, the stately dame
Belly turned towards the flame
Simple comfort is her aim

Feline lays there in repose
Caring not for all her woes
Gentle aspect she bestows
As she from her hearth arose


Copyright Lydia Felker

Eastern cougar is now on the exticnt list

On Wednesday, after much research, the US Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern cougar extinct.

Federal researches believe the last wild cougar died in 1938.

To read the entire online article, click here.

Goodbye, cougars. We will miss you.

Dog Breed of the Month: the West Highland White Terrier

The Westie originated in Scotland, and were bred as hunters of small game.

Westies are easy to train, and are hardy little fellows. Westies are good with children and strangers, and travel well. Westies are spirited, and make good watchdogs despite their size.

Westies love to dig and bark. Anyone who owns a Westie needs to assert their authority. If allowed to be "Alpha", Westies can be a handful. Westie owners need a firm hand, and confidence.

Wesites are active indoors, so they don't need much of a yard, but regular exercise is good for any kind of dog, and westies need a daily walk.

Wesites shed little, and their straight hair doesn't require much grooming, just some regular brushing.


source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westhighland.htm