I've probably been doing rescue ever since I can remember; always dragging in something that was hurt or need help of some kind. When I was little and we would go to the local Humane Society to pick out a kitten I would ignore the cutest, friendliest,most adorable kitten and look for the ones that were hiding in the back or undersized, ugly or somehow just not very lovable and that's what would come home with me.
As I grew older and had a home of my own, it was filled with strays of all kinds. My husband used to say there was an invisible sign on the fence telling everyone there was free food and care, everyone welcome. He never knew when he came home from work or got up in the morning what new face would be sitting there waiting to be fed.
After my husband's death, I started with bird rescue which always kept me quite busy having two baby bird seasons and the usual injuries. I had a peacock come in with a badly broken leg that couldn't be fixed. The vet was going to put him down unless someone took him. He was so beautiful and only 8 months old so of course I raised my hand and took him in. He lived in the living room until he recovered from his surgery and had a big outside pen with the other birds. He lived to a ripe old age of 12.
I finally gave up exclusive bird rescue as it was too demanding and the mortality rate was very high, but there were and are no shortages of other animals that wander through here.
We have an overabundance of feral cats here in Florida. Some people feed them and some people want them destroyed. There is a movement whereas they are humanly trapped, neutered or spayed and returned to places where people feed them on a daily basis, thereby living their lives freely, keeping down the rodent population but just not able to produce more unwanted cats.
Because I'm a one person rescue, I do what I can, finding homes for those that come through here, leaving food for feral cats, birds, squirrels and anything else that looks hungry. The rising costs of food and medical have really hurt those of us that are trying to do what is needed for these animals.
A few having been abused, medically needy or psychologically damaged stay here with me and will be here until one of us crosses over Rainbow Bridge to the other side. All of them deserve not only physical care and comfort but the love and reassurance that no matter what their problem, they are indeed worthy of sharing our lives. I feel my life has been enriched so much by these little creatures and I am so happy that I have been able to share what I can with them and that they are a part of my life.
