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It's everyone's favorite time to visit the Ranch! Baby Season! We have released more than 30 squirrels and 8 cotton tails and a few injured birds in the past few weeks, and we are just getting warmed up! The baby raccoons are in, infant cotton tails, opossums, birds, several injured wild animals and a few domestic flood victims, but best of all, BEAVER BABIES! The cutest kids on the planet! If you haven't visited our kits at the Oklahoma Aquarium, you really need too. They have it MADE there! What lucky little guys, and we wish we could find such awesome digs for our babies, but that is not the case anymore. Our current three will need a safe haven release site, so if you are a beaver enthusiast and know how to protect (some of) your trees, give us a call! We would really like to locate a beaver friendly home for these kits.

If you haven't joined us at our Spring Open House before, the purpose is to collect supplies and raise money for caring for the spring orphans. We are now a 501(c)(3) non profit so all your donations are tax deductible. We are open to the public only 2 days per year. Our Christmas Open House was canceled due to a 2 week long power outage and lots of damage from the ice storm, so I am sure many of you have collected items to donate and are ready to get rid of them!

We have some major projects for the facility including a new driveway and parking area for the new clinic, new fencing for the property there, and a barn/ shed to store cages in the off season and house the fawns in the spring. Any surplus after animal needs are met will go toward a nest egg for these much needed projects.

We will be open at 11 am to 4 pm. We ask that visitors not show up early or try to stay late. The animals will be getting last minute care and will need attended immediately after 4:00 by some very tired volunteers. We will have snacks and drinks for sale, but you are free to bring your own and your cameras and get some shots of the resident animals and any wild kids that can be photographed. Some animals will be put away to avoid stress, but the ones who are not affected by visitors will be available to say hello.

We do not normally accept kittens, (time and funds constraints, as well as an allergic family) but we had 8 newborns brought in that were washed out of their nests in the flooding. 4 tuxedo babies still need homes. They will be here for adoption. They are adorable and have been bottle fed since they were tiny, so they will be very acclimated to people. Thank you Dena Lord for raising these four for me!

We will also have a very special guest here this day unless something comes up and she cannot make it. Athena, a Bengal tiger cub that Wild Heart Ranch and Doctor Cash have been sponsoring will be here to meet and greet visitors. Athena was born with clubbed front feet and has faced many challenges in her short six months of life. After recovering from major surgery on her front feet, suddenly her back legs stopped working months ago. Her team of veterinarians decided euthanasia was their only option for Athena. Athena's caretaker contacted me, asking me to help her write a tribute poem to her brave little cub, but writing was not inspired for me at that time. I was, however, motivated to arrange one last visit for Athena with our miracle working veterinarian, Doctor Lesleigh- Cash Warren of Hooves Paws and Claws in Claremore, who sponsors the medical care for the wildlife here. Having worked with Doc for twelve years, knowing how determined she is to solve medical mysteries, we still had an option for the cub. I was absolutely certain Doc would solve this.

Athena's caretakers all had reservations about putting her through any more challenges, but they allowed themselves to hope and Doctor Cash had plenty of it. She somehow hit the nail on the head the very first try, not yet having a diagnosis, but steroid treatment and nutritional supplements were begun and days later, Athena began to use her back legs. Today, two months later, she is walking, running and being a typical rambunctious tiger cub, but is still recovering her strength and coordination. She sincerely enjoys her weekend visits to Wild Heart Ranch, and always greets her "Aunt Nettie" (me) with "happy tiger chuffs" and eventually her favorite activity, playing in the mud outside the clinic. We love this little girl and though her previous medical care could not have been more dedicated, Doctor Cash and her "think outside the box" methods and determination for recovery was just what we needed for little Athena. Though her back legs are still weakened from lack of use, THEY ARE BACK and we are now dealing with the front feet, which are getting better every day.

Wild Heart Ranch is beginning a "trust fund" for Athena, to be used however she may need in the future, but for now, Athena is in need of a prosthetics specialist to help fashion special braces to stretch the tendons in her front legs and straighten her feet out. If we have anyone out there qualified and willing to help this special girl, PLEASE contact us! You don't need to know tigers, just prosthetics. We could use some help on this special fit for a growing (and opinionated about what she wears) tiger.

There is a very good chance that she may wind up living at Wild Heart Ranch someday, when her daily therapy is completed, but we have lots of ground to cover before that can happen. She will eventually need to be caged and will need daily, constant care to keep her healthy and happy, and I just can't think of anyone who would enjoy it more than I, or a more peaceful place for a kitty to grow up. Just ask Kiara! She will tell you all about being a fat, happy kitty at Wild Heart Ranch!

For the time being, thanks to the approval of my Board of Directors, we are sponsoring the cub, but so far have not had any expenses for her. Doctor Cash has been absorbing all her medical, but it would be nice to start paying her as Athena's medical care will be ongoing.

If you wish to contribute to Athena's care, just earmark your donations "Athena Fund" and it will be logged into her trust fund. All donations are tax deductible, and all money taken on Athena's behalf will be spent directly on her and nothing else. You are also welcome to split a donation. Just note the amount to go to the wildlife care and what should go to Athena.

We hope everyone can make it to the open house, but if that day finds you tied up, just let us know. We can try to arrange a private tour for up to ten people for a fee. It's the busiest season of the year for us, so unfortunately we cannot always accommodate. We hope you understand that animal care comes first here, but sometimes Saturdays can handle one or two private tours.

Our little ranch is not a zoo and many animals roam free. We are still repairing and cleaning up from the ice storm and heavy rains, and are now into our 15 hour a day care shifts, which will get longer as we get deeper into orphan season, but there are always happy critters to meet and greet here as the spring wiry crew keeps them all clean and fed. Kiara the cougar, Bob the bobcat, Amy the sica deer and our crew of special and wonderful misfits are always on hand to say hello, and several new faces. Children need to be constantly supervised and our main rule is always "Never chase, never tease, never impose". The animals are friendly and peaceful, but are not used to crowds. Please enjoy their presence and allow them their comfort zone and they will be far more at ease to visit you.

Cameras welcome and if the weather is bad, (raining at 11 am) we will automatically reschedule for the following Saturday, same time. Donations can be dropped off any day at the new clinic, just let us know, or leave items on the patio.

Our greatest needs this year are consumables like paper towels, trash bags, laundry detergent, liquid dish soap, bleach, cleaning supplies, commercial mop heads, canned soda, toilet paper, coffee and snacks for the crew, jarred baby food, flaked rice cereal, any pet foods, nuts, frozen fruit & veggies, wild and exotic bird seeds, fresh, old or freezer burned meat (no pork please) exercise pens (sold for dogs), fold up play pens in good and safe condition, and any receiving blankets or crib quilts I can get. Heat pads WITHOUT auto shut off are getting harder to find, and I REALLY need to replace my worn out pads with new ones. Those would be a blessing.

Thank you for nearly twelve years of support and we will continue to give everything we have to these wonderful and deserving animals. More than ten thousand wayward wild animals have received help here, and we are still expanding, still going and growing WILD!

Oh MY its COLD! The baby squirrels are arriving and so far, two little hairless female fox squirrels are the only babies in the clinic. I am all set up, stocked up with formula and everything is spotless, ready for the spring grind. I am anxious to go to work this year, and glad to be ready.

I finally finished my wildlife rehabilitation manual. The Road to Release is a tremendous feat for me, and all my treatment secrets are in it. Glad to share my methods with anyone who needs a method. They work well for me and the lives they save, and I hope they serve the readers well.

Well the open house didnt happen, but the ice storm sure did! Wild Heart Ranch had thousands in damage, some of it covered by insurance and we will be cleaning brush and cutting down trees for years to come. For all who donated supplies and items for the open house, THANK YOU! The door prizes will be held for the spring open house in April/May sometime. We could not have survived this nightmare without all the help and support. We were without power for 2 weeks and more than 50 animals had to be sent away to foster care when we couldnt keep them warm enough. Most of those were reptiles recently taken in from a Pet Store seizure. We just recently obtained permanant homes for all of the pet store animals and last week, got the clinic opened back up for wildlife.

Even though the open house didnt happen, we were rescued from disaster by two families who always catch us before we splat. The Brooks and the Robinsons. I cant thank you all enough. What looked to be the most miserable Christmas ever was completely wonderful. The spring formula is all purchased and sitting ready in the clinic.They could have made a movie with all that went on here. It was amazing. And thank you to all who pitched in with donations of money, time and supplies. This was no small effort to get through this nightmare and keep the animals (and us) warm and fed. I hope I never have to live through that again, but if I do, I know exactly how to survive it.

2007 has been a busy year, but very productive at Wild Heart Ranch. We have been working constantly on plumbing and electrical in the new clinic, as well as making changes and improvements to the overall facility and our equipment. Its tough to do anything quickly as time and funding for projects are always secondary to animal care, though I am proud of what has been accomplished this year. The walls are not yet up in the new clinic, BUT the electrical is almost complete. By the spring open house, it will be a whole new world!

One thing we have done is to organize as a Non Profit Association and file to obtain our 501(c)(3) status, and our application is currently being reviewed. During this review, we are considered a non profit charity so that we may accept unlimited donations to operate while the IRS polishes our paperwork with us, after which, we will obtain our official status. Our board of directors couldn't be better! I am so proud to have such an incredible group of people to represent us and our cause. We needed to organize to secure the future of this rescue. Now we have no limits on donations and will hopefully not have to work so hard off the premises to keep the bills paid, and can spend all our time improving this facility, caring for the animals and expanding our services to help even more. All your donations are now tax deductible! YAY! I am excited about the future of Wild Heart Ranch! We hope you will come and celebrate with us!

There is no admission charge on Open House days. We ask that visitors review our "supplies needed" list (attached) and decide for themselves what they would like to contribute. Money is always welcome, but it makes no difference to us. It is always a comfort to be stocked up on supplies and know that I wont have to worry about it later on. FEEL FREE to forward this email or print and post the supplies list anywhere you think might interest people to assist with our event. It is SO important that our December Open house is a success. This one day decides how much we will struggle to provide for the hundreds of orphans who will arrive Feb through July. No animal has ever done without anything it needs at this facility, and my mission is to ensure they never will. I cannot do it without help. Because they are wild animals intended for release, constant visitors stress them and affect their emotional well being that can hamper appetite and recovery. Our 2 events a year get very crowded, but everyone has a good time.

We will have munchies and drinks for everyone, and prizes to give away. Local businesses have donated items and services to our open house so that some lucky visitors get to take something home with them besides the wonderful experience of being close to the animals we care for here.

Come and visit our resident rescues and plenty of new kiddos! Though we are short on wildlife in care during the winter, there is still much to experience. Bring your camera and your smile and share a winter's day with our wild friends! Check the "CURRENT EVENTS" link on our website for the map! Parking will be in the field north of our home. Anyone with special needs (wheel chairs etc.) will require assistance. LET US KNOW! We are glad to help!

Non perishable supplies can be dropped off at Claremore Animal Shelter, Clips and Bows, Hooves Paws and Claws and A-1 Money Mart Loans, or HERE any Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm or call Janice at 343-0378 for pick up arrangements.

Call if you have any questions about the open house or supplies. For the welfare and security of our animals and visitors, do not bring any pets to the open house and all children under the age of 18 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times! WE ARE NOT CHILD PROOF, and friendly animals roam free.

And PLEASE don't forget about our exotic friends at Safaris Sanctuary in Broken Arrow! Their animal load never changes, and the winter months are harder work and more costly as utilities increase and visitors decrease. Their animals were all taken in by Safaris for a lifetime of care. Lori and I work together to share resources for all animals. Visit them online at www.safarizoo.com

And lets NOT forget our local domestic kids! The Claremore Animal Shelter is a wonderful facility staffed by dedicated officers! IT IS UP TO THE COMMUNITY TO UTILIZE THEIR ADOPTION AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS!!!!!! Please, check in on them from time to time. With 3 officers responsible for our OVERWEALMING pet population problem, they need our help, not our criticism to change things for our community's animals.

And then our MARINE FRIENDS! We LOVE the Oklahoma Aquarium located at the river in Jenks. You couldn't have a better group providing care for these animals. If you haven't visited, your are missing out! Say "hello" to my beaver kits! I don't get to go visit them nearly as often as I would like!

We thank you so very much for your cooperation, support and contribution to our mission and our facility and the places that care for animals in our community. Not all animals can be released into the wild. I care about all of them, but do my part for the wild ones. IT ALL MATTERS!

The orphan grind is slowing down. Beginning to get injured raptors and baby squirrels in, the signs of fall for a wildlife rehabilitator. Rumors that we have closed down and adopted out all of our animals have been filtering in to me. Explains the lack of donations and the reduced calls for wildlife. Very sad that anyone would start such a rumor. We have invested our hearts, souls and most of our money to be a safe haven for wildlife and the animals who live here and to hear that people might believe we turned our backs is just heartbreaking. Our new facility is getting it's new plumbing, landscaping and electrical now. It has been filled with animals healing and growing since spring. Our crew has expanded, our programs are growing and my goals are also expanding.

Lately I am on a mission to obtain funding for a major expansion for animals. I want a few hundred acres and a top notch facility for all animals. I want people to be able to get low cost or free spay and neuter surgeries, drop off unwanted animals who can be adopted out and a place for our county officers to take starving and neglected livestock for care. I want a haven of help for exotics, domestics, farm and wild animals. I want a place where anyone can go for help with their animals, volunteer their time, or adopt someone special. We HAVE the people! We have supervisors and contractors, lawyers and doctors, groomers and trainers, wildlife rehabilitators and labor. All I need is the money to make it happen.

This is a long shot, but I am looking for sponsorship to make my vision come true. It's a lot. I know it's bigger than I am, bigger than my facility could ever handle, but there are companies and individuals out there that can make this happen for our community and our State. I dont want to own it or run it or even make money from it. I just want to work there. I just want to get it built, get it open and keep it going. My care standards never falter and my heart is in every animal I take in. I can do this, but I need those that want on board for this reality to step up and help me make it happen.

We have supported this rescue with every available equity we have. We are now working to obtain our 501c3. The process is expensive, confusing and time consuming. I need help. Once I can get this done, I have companies who wish to sponsor my rescue. Some of them are major and may be able to fund my big dream. I cannot begin the process of recruiting help until I can accept the funds. WE ARE HERE and we arent going anywhere and I really really feel like I can do so much more.

Today I am raising 8 fawns, 18 raccoons, 24 skunks, 28 oposums, red shoulder hawks and working on some injured babies including Maggie the maggot infested skunk who has made a miracle recovery and Faith, a fawn who had two of her feet cut off by a hay mower. Doctor Cash and I have been determined to save 2 of 3 lacerated and amputated legs, giving her 3 good ones. Only one leg was unaffected. She is a fantastic patient and determined to make it.

We are working on filing our 501c3 status and seeking corperate funding. Its time to stop trying to fund this ourselves. I would like to know that the rescue is stable and I am ready to stop worrying about finding the money to keep going. I couldnt have made it all these years without the donations we have recieved and to know that there may be light at the end of the tunnel is very encouraging. I have big plans for expansion for all animals. Hopefully someday those dreams will be realized.

We have recieved many calls from people wanting to visit the animals. I wish I had the time to show everyone what goes on here, but that interferes with the purpose of Wild Heart Ranch. This is a place for peace and growth for wild animals and though many people get attached to rescues they were involved in, an unscheduled tour upsets my feeding schedules and strangers in the clinic make the animals nervous and unwilling to eat well. I must keep a tight schedule this time of year, working 18 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep these animals clean and fed. Help is wonderful, but its hard to focus on my tedious routine for the animals with new volunteers needing guidance and instruction. I hope everyone can understand and realize that they are my priority and I hate to hurt anyones feelings. I have been doing this a long time and I understand what goes on with them when their routine is upset. It affects their growth, their contentment and their tendency to become wild animals. I want all of these animals released before winter and in order to do so, I need them eating, growing and going wild.

We will give a one hour scheduled tour for up to ten people for $100. I justify the upset in my schedule because the money will pay for the day's formula. One less day I have to worry about. That makes it worth it to me and the fee for the tour means that we will give very few tours this time of year.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with the animals this year and to those of you who assisted me with the injured who you brought in to me for care. I know that a crash course in maggot removal isnt everyone's favorite past time, but when these babies come in late at night, I only have one pair of hands. Your determination and tolerance does not go unrecognized.

The open house/ adoption day went very well. We had a huge turn out and nearly all of the Pet Stop animals were adopted. We still have gerbils needing a home, otherwise I feel the animals all got a great new start on their second chance at life. The news stations were very kind to all come out and help promote the need for adoptions. My dogs, parrots and tortoise were featured as homeless animals in some of the news segments. Remember, they come out, they tape, and the tape doesnt necisarily make it to the hands of people who we have talked too and explained each subject. WE HAVE GERBILS ONLY. My rescued and chosen pets are not for adoption. We had no dogs or parrots here. Only a dozen dogs made it out of the smoke and Owasso Small Animal Clinic is handling those adoptions. All the parrots perished other than one, and he has a home with my vet.

We are working on several fawns, a few with serious injures, raccoons everywhere, baby raptors, birds, bunnies, and opossums. The animals are doing fine this morning but the people are beyond exhausted. I cannot express my thanks to the Pet Stop Staff and our fearless leader, Dena Lord, who coordinated everything for me this week. I took care of my animals and told her what needed done, and it all happened and then some.

All the animals here are stable and ready for homes. We have adopted out the larger exotics who had the more difficult time to vet techs and people I personally knew would regognize symptoms if they occurred. The puppy and kitten adoptions will be handled through the Owasso Small Animal Clinic, as they should be. They are the ones who have worked around the clock to save their lives and know each struggle and all the future needs and potential problems. I am told the adoption process for these animals will be extensive. Please understand that there were only a dozen or so pups that survived. There are NOT any who are awaiting a home. The offers of homes have been overwealming. Please understand that the clinic has been overwealmed with requests and do not get frustrated. They will hand pick every new home. These animals and their future are in phenominal hands.

Our open house is tomorrow and we will have a few ferrets, 7 parakeets, 30 gerbils, about a dozen hamsters and it looks like no other animals are coming here. We do have adoption fees. One paper published the animals are going to be given away. I wont allow that. We are charging adoption fees for the same reason rescues charge. People who invest in an animal will most likely keep and care for an animal. The fees are minimal and these animals cannot be sold. There is no guarantee they do not have lung damage.

We appreciate the donations, but everyone who donates needs to realize that the money and supplies they are sending to me will go to replenish my medical supplies used on the Pet Stop animals and help with expenses for the wildlife we care for here. Sarah and David, the owners of Pet Stop, have sent me everything their animals need for daily care and then some. They have donated a lot of supplies, cages and tanks to my rescue. The wild animals will benefit from all the support and adoption fees, and they need it. Our expenses for wildlife are running high this time of year already. We need the support and we are grateful for it. I just want to make certain everyone understands where their money will go.

Doctor Cash at Hooves Paws and Claws clinic in Claremore saved the white capped Pionis Parrot, the only parrot who survived. Sarah and David gave her the bird to adopt and save when he began to decline on me. I knew I was losing him and rushed him to Doctor Cash. His name is "Ashy" and she has saved his life. He is the only bird still having trouble. I believe I would have lost him. No doubt.

Dr. Cash loves her new friend. I want everyone to know that Doc has been my lifeline through all of this. We would all appreciate aknowlegment of all her time on the phone with me and her time saving Ashy. Her mailing address is 1840 W Country Club Road, Claremore, Ok 74017. Thank you cards would be most welcome. She is a great friend and a fantastic vet. We LOVE HER and her staff for all of their support this week! (oh, by the way, she trained me and that is why we saved almost all of these animals!! I give her complete credit for my skills!!)

Sarah and David will rebuild their store, better than ever. It will be awhile, but you can bet that I will be there at the grand opening. They are dealing with a very difficult heartache. They loved their animals and they worry daily about everything and everyone affected. Our hearts go out to them and their staff. They all lost friends.

Thank you to Sarah and David for staffing us this week and a special thanks to Dena Lord from Pet Stop and my long time friend and volunteer. You have been through hell, but somehow you have kept us all organized and the living the center of everyone's focus. I can't tell you how amazed I am with what you have done. Go girl!

Once we erupted into the chaos at the Owasso Small Animal Clinic, I saw angels everywhere. Busy giving oxygen, wiping noses encrusted with soot, installing IVs, trying to keep the living alive as babies struggled for air, literally everywhere. It was a miracle that any survived, and the survivors were not out of the woods by any means.

To assist with the utter demand of care, after helping in any way we could, my crew and I loaded all the small animals and after instruction from Dr. Pfefer and ongoing instruction from Dr. Cash, headed home to more crew members waiting and ready, having turned our old rescue clinic into a trauma center for fire victims.

97 animals came in the door and 89 recovered. We are exhausted, but the results of our hard work line the shelves in the clinic today. Birds are singing, little furries are busy with their cage material and dishes. Its a miracle. They all inspire me and will for a very long time.

Some have been adopted by people with medical experience to maintain watch on those who were most critical coming in. What we will have for adoption on Saturday will be dozens of gerbils and hamsters, several parakeets, a lionhead rabbit, ferrets and whatever else is sent over from their foster homes. What may come in later, I have no idea. Whoever is ready for a home.

We will not be able to answer every inquiry, so if you wish to come for the open house and see what may need you, you are welcome. If you love animals, our wildlife rescue will be an enjoyable day regardless of any disappointment you may experience in selecting a pet.

The owners of Pet Stop are wonderful people who care about their livestock. Sarah and David have been beside themselves with worry for their animals. They have decided to let the adoption fees benefit Wild Heart Ranch, and that is something we are grateful for, but did not expect, nor did that possibility motivate us to assist. It is always and only about the animals and the people who care for them here.

The Pet Stop staff have been working shifts here to assist me with their animals and help me with my wild critters and rescued residents to ease the added load. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the response and the support from Pet Stop and my own volunteers. I hadn't considered HOW I was going to handle this, I just knew I had to help and having an empty clinic, 11 years of training and an AWESOME staff made it easy to execute. Everyone is stable now and the pressure is almost off. Finding homes is now our priority.

These animals are considered "damaged" and sale and guarantee are not at all possible. These are little critters who need homes and the adoption fees are being charged to keep the intent of their placement secure. I do not wish these animals to wind up as merchandise or breeding stock. They have been through a lot and deserve a true home.