Monday, May 20, 2013
Wild Animal Shelter
Story By: Andrew Frinkle
Tobey
had
always
liked
zoos.
It
was
great
to
see
animals
that
didn’t
live
around
his
house.
Around
his
house
he
could
see
cows
or
horses,
but
he
couldn’t
see
zebras
or
lions.
He
could
see
cardinals
and
blue
jays,
but
he
couldn’t
see
monkeys
or
gators.
Zoos
were
a
great
and
fascinating
way
to
spend
his
weekend
learning
about
animals.
Today, he was trying to go to something a little different. He’d learned that near his house there was an animal shelter. It wasn’t a regular shelter, though. He’d been to those before, where you could adopt dogs, cats, and even an occasional pot-bellied pig or goat. This place he was going to had lions and tigers and bears. It wasn’t any regular shelter.
As he arrived, he was surprised, because he heard lions even from the parking lot. The place was small, but nicely-kept. It was clean and the volunteers working at the entry were very helpful. He and his family toured the place at their own pace, examining the cages and habitats the animals lived in.
Tobey was immediately struck by the differences between this place and a zoo. Zoos had beautiful habitats set up for each animal, but you could not get near the animals at all. At this shelter, he was almost close enough to reach out and touch the animals, even if there were two fences between him and the animals. There weren’t as many people, either, so it seemed like a more personal experience. The paths were narrow and covered with trees that made the animals feel more at home and gave them shade.
It was interesting to stare a lion in the eyes when you could almost reach out and touch it. It was fun to watch the bears pace back and forth and wiggle their lips at you with great expressions. They were silly creatures. Then there were leopards lazing in the midday heat and monkeys grooming themselves. It was a very neat experience.
The best part about the place was the stories. Each animal had a story posted up on the side of their cage. Each had been rescued from abuse or taken when they were no longer wanted. These were hard luck stories with a happy ending. Someone at this shelter had stepped up to take care of the animals, and now Tobey could enjoy meeting them and learn from them.
When it was finally time to go, they all thanked the volunteers and made a donation. Shelters always needed money, food for animals, and help. It made them feel good to be helping out any way they could. It was a great place, and Tobey couldn’t wait to return.
Today, he was trying to go to something a little different. He’d learned that near his house there was an animal shelter. It wasn’t a regular shelter, though. He’d been to those before, where you could adopt dogs, cats, and even an occasional pot-bellied pig or goat. This place he was going to had lions and tigers and bears. It wasn’t any regular shelter.
As he arrived, he was surprised, because he heard lions even from the parking lot. The place was small, but nicely-kept. It was clean and the volunteers working at the entry were very helpful. He and his family toured the place at their own pace, examining the cages and habitats the animals lived in.
Tobey was immediately struck by the differences between this place and a zoo. Zoos had beautiful habitats set up for each animal, but you could not get near the animals at all. At this shelter, he was almost close enough to reach out and touch the animals, even if there were two fences between him and the animals. There weren’t as many people, either, so it seemed like a more personal experience. The paths were narrow and covered with trees that made the animals feel more at home and gave them shade.
It was interesting to stare a lion in the eyes when you could almost reach out and touch it. It was fun to watch the bears pace back and forth and wiggle their lips at you with great expressions. They were silly creatures. Then there were leopards lazing in the midday heat and monkeys grooming themselves. It was a very neat experience.
The best part about the place was the stories. Each animal had a story posted up on the side of their cage. Each had been rescued from abuse or taken when they were no longer wanted. These were hard luck stories with a happy ending. Someone at this shelter had stepped up to take care of the animals, and now Tobey could enjoy meeting them and learn from them.
When it was finally time to go, they all thanked the volunteers and made a donation. Shelters always needed money, food for animals, and help. It made them feel good to be helping out any way they could. It was a great place, and Tobey couldn’t wait to return.
