Animal Encounters

Beautiful Bat Encounter!

Finding this baby bat at work one day was a real adventure. Knowing nothing about bats then, I left it hanging and figured that the mother would swoop down and pick it up later that night. To my dismay the following morning it was still just hanging there as helpless as the day before. Having things to tend to at work I scooped him up and put him into a temporary shelter to keep him safe. I started calling wildlife rehab contacts in the area only to find out that they did not accept bats. I did not know what I was going to do, as just leaving it to die was not an option for me.

After more calls, I was finally referred to someone who might be able to help. I was ecstatic and relieved to hand this interesting baby over to someone passionate about bats and trained in bat rehab. The rehabbers drove 35 miles to pick up this baby and give it a chance at life. (These are the types of people you are lucky to meet.)

I had dozens of questions about bats after spending the day with one, and as the rehabber was whisking the baby bat away, she told me to check out a website about bats to learn all I wanted to know. I found this website extremely interesting and a wonderful insight to a misunderstood species that lives among us. It seems the only way you really hear about these creatures is through scary situations. There is so much more to know and learn about them! This website has it all—questions and answers and where to call if you need help with any bat related issue.

I hope you visit it and enjoy it as much as I have. It's the website of Bat Conservation of Wisconsin: http://www.batcow.org/

I also found Batworld Sanctuary's site a wonderful place to learn about bats: http://www.batworld.org/main/main.html

~Sharon Johnson

Sammi • Street Cat Extraordinaire

I call myself a street cat; it sounds cooler than "homeless" or "abandoned." As for the word "feral?" That seems to imply that I'm wild and mean. I'm not either—just afraid of humans for what they have done (or should I say not done) for me.

It’s Cold!

I am Sammi, here to report on life on the streets. My eyes—look at them! They are beautiful…in fact I am still quite a looker even now, despite my tough life. If it weren’t for my frostbit ear and matted fur...oh well, can’t let that bother me. Too busy trying to survive out here. I've been wandering around my neighborhood for 4 or 5 years.

My owners left me behind when they moved, so I've had to fend for myself. I do not look like a cat that someone would want to leave behind. I am here to tell you it can happen to any cat!

I have finally settled down a little and am hanging out in a human’s yard regularly now. I'm fed every day and there is an outdoor shelter for me to snuggle up in when it gets too cold. I am not running quite as far away when the human brings out the food, but I still run. I am not quite as scared, but I have been chased and scolded for most of my life. It's hard to trust humans again after a life of scavenging garbage and trying to find a place to sleep. None have wanted me around until now!

I Got Neutered. It wasn't all Bad!

I also had a traumatic experience last month when I wandered into a box trap! I was so scared at first...I banged the sides trying to get out until someone placed a towel over the box. Then I calmed down. I ended up somewhere with a lot of other cats. What was going on? I remember nothing until I awoke from a peaceful sleep…I remember dreaming of another time, curling up in a human's lap and being stroked and talked to lovingly…I wanted that dream to last.

When I fully gained my senses again it was to find myself still in that trap but feeling a whole lot better. My fur was cleaned and it was not biting me anymore. My ears felt wonderfully clean and I had a lingering feeling that I was loved.

I've tried to hold onto that feeling. My first instinct when I was released was to run again, but that neutering experience changed my life. I'm finding life easier and have settled down a lot. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. I'm not always looking for a girlfriend or fighting with the other dudes. There are some other cats coming around (young ones) and if they are really hungry I will share my food. See, I feel for them. I know what they go through day and night just trying to stay alive. It’s tough out here. Anything could happen.

If you are lucky enough have humans who care for you outside, here are some helpful ideas for them to help keep you warm through the winter. It is going to be a long one…so hang in there!

Meow for now,
Sammi