Wild Heart Ranch Blog

 It was Monday the 21st of March. Our little wildlife rescue was beginning to get busy with orphaned infant squirrels and cotton tailed rabbits. Just the beginning. Hundreds and hundreds of animals yet to come. What would we see this year? What tragedies and triumphs will we experience and overcome with the animals this year? So far we have taken in a few hundred injured wild animals and a few serious domestic cases. Recently, a young horse that lived for two weeks under the snow after starving near death and going down. The snow saved her life from coyotes, but her rear legs partially froze. Deputies were sent to the scene and I was called to make an evaluation. Evaluating suffering is not enough for me. I have to take them home with me to Wild Heart, and Ginger is now with us, walking and running, getting fat and sassy, the chunks of skin lost to frostbite are now growing new hair. Her life has begun anew. We had found a way to help Ginger and I was ready to focus on wildlife, but as my world is accustomed to never travel long in my intended direction, the phone rang. It was my husband. A call had come in from Deputy Quinton Tucker. He was at a residence on a dog complaint. “I cant take dogs.” I said to Robbie. “I think you need to take this call Honey.” he said to me. My heart ached. I knew it was bad. I called Quinton and headed to the scene.

   You never prepare to look through a window and witness hell, but that is what I saw as I peered into the  glass. Dogs were everywhere, but even worse was the filth. It was something Ive never seen before. I watch the show “Animal Hoarders” on TV. Suddenly all of those cases that shocked and outraged me were not so horrid as Id thought. What I saw was indescribable.

  The piles of feces were over a foot high in some places. Garbage was strewn about. No flooring was visible. There was no longer a floor. It was a giant toilet and these animals had been living this way for months and months. They looked to be in good condition, but upon opening a door and being unable to take a breath without my lungs setting afire, I knew at that moment nothing else mattered besides getting these dogs out as quickly as possible.

Several dogs were in two outside pens. I cannot tell you how inadequate their shelters were. 7 dogs lived atop a foot high pile of feces as a two week old puppy tried to find a place to hide with the entire pack within a washing machine tub. Somehow this group managed to survive nearly four feet of snow we had this winter, but with only one puppy among them, I figured we would never know of the ones who didn’t make it.

  The Claremore Animal Shelter had already been contacted, but I called the Director, Jennifer Cummings, who said they were awaiting permission by the City to lease the shelter to Wild Heart Ranch for these dogs. I realized that I was suddenly in a corner. Everyone was looking to me to house these dogs. I was no longer assisting. I was responsible for them, and I didn’t have any money.

   In the past, television interviews about stories of rescue have caused more problems than they have resolved. An already busy wildlife clinic becomes overwhelmed with calls about the footage. We don’t mind and we are glad for the support, but when we are answering the phones, animals don’t get our attention. Amy Arnett and my husband Robbie Tucker took over the clinic as this story swept every local newspaper and television station, radio, facebook and blog. Hundreds of calls each day, my babies getting fed, my phone getting answered and I did the interviews and watched over the dogs as every day new resources were made available to help them.

   Within 24 hours of the heroic rescue of these dogs, they became mine. The owner signed them over to the City and the City gave them to me. The Claremore Shelter continued to support the effort by allowing me to continue to lease the runs, assisting with the adoptions and then letting us use their spay and neuter program to get them all taken care of before going to their new homes. It was an amazing event as people lined up to adopt dogs who would need lots of attention and patience. As families showed up with children to adopt, we discouraged them from the frightened dogs and recommended the friendly, social animals the City had for adoption. The high stack of paperwork on the desk at the end of the day brought a lump in my throat. It was like looking at certificates of life. Each paperclip holding together the application, receipt and cage card represented an animal that is no longer suffering, or one that wouldn’t die on euthanasia day. I saw a blinding silver lining in the rescue made of nightmares. My dogs helped save others by their story being told. It gave something else to their struggle. It made them heroic.

  I have seen some of the things being said about the owner of the dogs, Mr. Brooks. People ask me what I think. I think he is a victim also. He is not innocent by any means, but you have to look at what he didn’t do and what options he didn’t have to see the whole picture. He didn’t starve his dogs. They were well fed and free of disease. They were not dehydrated or injured. Their were no sores or parasites other than worms. The outside dogs had some ticks, but the inside dogs were remarkably healthy. I saw no evidence of respiratory illness and that was unbelievable. He didn’t turn them loose to suffer as strays or kill them with his own hands. The piles of empty dog food bags showed evidence that he fed them regularly. They wagged their tails when he drove up before he was arrested. He didn’t abuse them. He had been trying for months to find a rescue to take them. He even stated that he had called me. Had he described the dire situation, I would have acted. Im sure I probably told him I couldn’t take dogs. I have nowhere to put them. I am not a dog rescue. Our community is in dire need of a County animal shelter. I do my best to fulfill that need, but it is overwhelming. Something must be done. This entire scenario would have never occurred. I am just thankful that Mr. Brooks loved his dogs enough to try, even though he failed miserably.

   I agree he should be punished, but I also consider what price he has already paid. The frustration of turning his home over to his animals which will be condemned and demolished at his expense, the shame of his crimes plastered all over every television and newspaper in his community and beyond, his mugshot included, and the pain of failing his animals which he loved very much. He asked about them with every contact that was made with him by Jennifer. He cried when he signed them over. His greatest grief “letting them down”. Personally, I think he has learned his lesson tenfold, but I am not the law. I do however have compassion for all creatures, people included.

Most people do not know that just prior to this dog rescue, the USDA made a decision to regulate my wildlife rescue. They required that we apply for, qualify as and obtain a class C zoo permit to allow the public onto my property, or shut completely down to anyone who doesn’t live or volunteer here. I have wrestled with getting a zoo permit and inviting yet another government entity to regulate my work. (This would make three, two Federal and one State) I have worked hard to build the relationship and confidence of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and The Federal migratory bird and raptor permit office. I am just not up to beginning all over again with another government agency, not to mention the battle to raise money to build the fencing and so forth they require for the permit to keep visitors safe. This has never been a place designed or open to visitors. We allow private tours at an elevated fee, educational programs for students and our open house events, two per year. We also allow people who are bringing animals to us or dropping off supplies to see our clinic if we have time. We want to inspire them to contribute. We let the animals speak for themselves here. We rarely do fundraising. We just dont have the time and these animals need privacy. They also need new pre release enclosures as our numbers have skyrocketed and I refuse to spend donation money on the fencing that would be needed to obtain a zoo permit. Getting a zoo permit would not change the numbers of people who have stepped into that gate or the support we typically receive in the clinic, which was already limited. I give many of these animals freedom to roam within the current fencing. I cannot choose public safety over their allowed freedom while they grow and put them in pens for display. I would rather shut it all down. I have decided I will operate privately, sacrificing the in house donations and the hope of finding new donors impressed by our work to be a regular contributor. Its a huge sacrifice, but if I put the animals and their needs first, its an easy decision. Its a leap of faith, not much different than taking on 21 dogs without a place to go with them. Somehow in my world, things just seem to fall into place, but the day the inspector changed our entire program within the span of an hour, I saw nothing but a door closing on a big part of my life and much of the support for these animals. The Wild Heart Ranch that so many know and love, was now on lock down. It made me sick.

    There is something very depressing and life changing when someone who doesn’t know you, has never heard of you, comes on your property that you struggle to pay for, and tells you who you can and cannot invite in your gate. I cannot lie to you. I wanted to shut it all down that day. Restricting me to crew only and personal friends and family closed the door on wildlife education and showing people what we do here. How hard we work, how clean and well fed these animals are kept and that we are worthy of support, and these animals they bring us, are well cared for. Losing the funds and supplies we typically gain at our annual open house for baby season was a huge hit. That is how we stock our clinic for the long busy summer. Around $3,000 just in supplies and funds is needed in that one day. We haven’t met that goal since the economy crashed, and our sponsors have had to pick up the slack lately, but we work hard on open house day, and people count on it. Its the one day of the year everyone can see where their money goes and witness hundreds of babies, all clean, healthy and growing wild. Its the one day of the year we get to show off. We deserved that day. It was a tremendous loss.

   Before the USDA inspector arrived, we were already worrying and fretting over the increase in animals this year. A nearby facility in Delaware County shut down last fall. Those animals now have nowhere to go. There are still rehabilitators here and there in NE Oklahoma, but we are now the only standing all species, all situation, nothing turned away wildlife facility. They just shut down the only State run facility at Three Forks. We are it for two hours west, and to the borders in every other direction, and I am also the only thing close to a County shelter for the worst domestic animal abuse and neglect cases, and many injured and orphaned strays. I am under a lot of pressure this year, and again, blind faith is all I have.

    I charged into this dog rescue without thought for funding it. Our Sheriff, bless his heart, had the media there immediately. I shy away from cameras with stuff like this because it typically brings in more work than support, but when they are there, I want to make sure the proper message gets out to viewers. I am no publicity hound. I dodged several interviews once the need got out. The requests were solid for days. I needed to focus on the animals. The dogs and my wildlife. It was three days of hell, but something magical happened throughout all the grief and pressure.

    Donations came in earmarked for the dogs. Even though the dogs were not all boarded for up to a month like we had originally braced for, the expenses for boarding, vet care, grooming and money sent with the puppies that went to Partnering for Pets for nursing care. The money was ALL there when the donations came in. We will put some back to pay for spay surgeries on females that were too young or too sick upon adoption, but I think when we finish paying all the expenses, we will have exactly what we needed. That was humbling enough. I stepped up for these dogs knowing nothing except I had to get them out of that hell hole. EVERYONE we asked for help stepped up as well, and with the outpouring of support, we didn’t have to beg for favors or owe anyone when this is done.

    Now for the other miracle. Within the donations coming in for the dogs, were donations to Wild Heart Ranch, not earmarked for the dogs. ‘Life’ in envelopes and emails. “Use however you need” “For your good work”. We were getting help! We have rescued hundreds of dogs, cats and horses over the years that no one ever hears about. Most in worse shape than these dogs physically. We have spent thousands from our wildlife fund or our sponsors have paid the bills for those. All totaled the money given to Wild Heart was about $3,000. Our open house event was no longer a loss. We are preparing for a ridiculous shopping spree to fill the supplies shelves that are now bare from a long and expensive winter caring for injured animals. My heart is full, but my head is still heavy.

   With the attention from this rescue, I decided it was a good time to tell people what our situation is out here. We are a devoted army of volunteers, sponsors, Board members and people who cheer us on. We are an agency for our local community service program where people come to work instead of serve jail time. We train wildlife rehabilitators and rescuers, we assist people with pet food during hard times, we council people with drug and alcohol issues and give them an opportunity to stay busy doing good work and staying clean by keeping them on as volunteers after their community service is completed. I consult for wildlife rehabilitators all around the Country, and have helped conduct clinical trials for new upcoming  treatments for fatal diseases for dogs and cats and successfully applied these treatments in wildlife, which are now used all over the world. We have given firewood to families who had no heat in the winter. We have assisted people with food for their families. We have had clothing drives for victims of house fires. We have helped people purchase vehicles, we have raised money for cancer treatments, we have paid vet bills for other people’s animals and we have hired and paid people who desperately needed a job. Many of the things that we have been able to assist with over the years have dwindled. If we dont have it to give, we cant give it. Giving is my favorite thing to do in the world. When I funded myself for 12 years, I gave it all. When the need became two full time jobs, I had to become a non profit and Sandy Brooks stepped up to pay the bills so I could work only here. Her generosity and the generosity of two other families has been the majority of the income for Wild Heart for the past 3 years. There are a lot of gaps, and a lot of things that need expanded and built. We will scrimp and save for a project, only to have an expensive rescue come up. We are glad the money is there, but wind up having to give up our plans.

   Though the rescue of the dogs has relieved our need of supplies, our arms are never as long as the need. Our greatest need is regular funding. Monthly checks or donations to our website, no-matter how small, extend our reach and will prevent the loss of in house funding from affecting our work. Large donations are needed desperately to fund expansions. We are in dire need of pre release enclosures and an addition to our clinic. We have free labor for most of our projects, but materials are an expense we cannot meet. I am taking advantage of the attention to the story about the dogs to tell people who we are, what we do and what we need.

   Over the back roads of northern Rogers County between Oologah lake and Foyil, is a magical place called Wild Heart Ranch. We dont discriminate with compassion and our goal is to build and maintain and forever serve a place where all living creatures can go to heal and grow and find a tomorrow without strife and suffering. In a time where so many struggle, we continue to step up to be a solution. Even when our arms are empty, our hearts are full with the work that we do, the results we obtain and the compassion and care we relentlessly impose on every life we touch. Our work and our facility is stable and secure, but we need to do more, and we will, with help. Thank you for reading and thank you for letting these animals into your heart as they all will forever live in mine.

-Annette King Tucker

Director/Founder

Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue

10491 S 4190 Rd

Claremore, Ok 74017

State and Federally licensed for all species of wildlife, birds and raptors

15 years and more than 15,000 animals assisted

www.wildheartranch.org

918)342-WILD (9453)

Facebook at Wild Heart Ranch!

I give my endless thanks to all who helped with this monumental act of compassion and rescue!

Rogers County Sheriffs Department and our Hero Sheriff, Scott Walton and his amazing Deputies

Claremore Animal Shelter, Director Jennifer Cummings and her amazing and caring staff, Rocky, Steve and Chris

My tireless vet, Doctor Lesleigh Cash Warren for treating the sick and giving me discounts!

The Ark Animal Hospital who did all the surgeries at the Shelter’s cost

Cynthia Armstrong of the HSUS poised to fund medical expenses that we GOT TO DECLINE because we handled it ourselves! Shortly after, she had a request for help with another monumental rescue that she was able to fund. What a cool story!!

ARF who offered to spay and neuter and even take dogs. We proudly didn’t have to consume their resources either. Thank you for being there had we needed you!

Partnering for Pets who took in the babies who needed bottle fed and have now offered to assist with all the domestic turnover calls that come in at Wild Heart Ranch, and their own volunteer, Gail Jackson who was suited up in the poop with myself, Jennifer, Rocky and Quinton extracting dogs!

Cindy Lewis who showed up immediately to photograph the dogs and the rescue effort and then took in the six puppies who were dumped on us the day of adoptions. ALL GOT HOMES! YAY!

My Board members who support my insanity to take what needs taken and do what needs done and NEVER tells me “we can’t”, especially Patrick Abitbol who was by my side through this entire rescue

Sandy B. and Robyn W. who were “at the ready” if I got in over my head and was short on funds.

All the reporters who found this a worthy cause to share with our community! THANK YOU!!

Carmik Kennels and Grooming Salon who were ready to board the dogs at a discount had the shelther not been made available, and owner Janelle who was at the adoption event making appointments to groom the dogs after their surgeries. You guys are amazing and always there for us! Thank you!

My amazing crew of volunteers who never work in or for the spotlight, you all know who you are and how much you carry me when I jump off a cliff to save animals. I could do nothing without your endless and tireless support. You complete me. (corney I know, but I mean it!)

My husband Robbie who has given up telling me “we can’t” and fed baby squirrels all week so I could go save dogs.

And last but not least, every single donor that stepped up to help me successfully save these animals, and who have now replaced the supplies we so desperately need. You inspire me beyond words to keep plugging, keep going, keep growing and know that when one door closes, wait for the window!!

I have had the fortune in this life to be able to spend my time here in the service for compassion and care of the wild ones. I love my job, and I am good at it. I am good at it because I have a pretty decent brain, a lot of determination and a work ethic I have been developing since I was 9 years old and got a paper route. My whole life has been a reflection of that paper route. Even at 9, no matter how much I wanted to go play with the neighborhood kids after school, I went home, rolled my papers, mounted my bike and worked until late in the evening six days a week. Sundays I had to get up at 4 am to get the papers on the porches before people woke up. If I didn’t get my papers rolled on Saturday evening, I would have to get up at 2 am to get them out.

At 9 years old, walking the streets of a small rural Oklahoma town known as “Blackwell” can be quite intimidating. No matter how afraid I was of Doctor Becker’s mean ass German shepherd who’s leash always seemed to run out of length just before he grabbed me, or no matter how angry Mrs. Cottrel got when I once again dented her screen door when I threw too hard, I just kept going, kept throwing those papers, day after day, night after night until we moved away when I was twelve. No one every realized how afraid I was at times, how ‘in danger’ I was occasionally. It was my job and I did it with full commitment and dedication, just as I have every other occupation since. I’ve not had a lot of jobs in my life, but all of them that gave me room to excel, I have. I am never satisfied with ‘good enough’. I always want to be better.

Now you know me a bit. Why would any forty something year old woman spend her time, life and money raising and healing wild animals twenty four seven? Well, Im sure many people speculate on that, but I dont know why. We all have our reasons for loving something that others might not understand. Golf. I dont get it. I am glad it brings joy and activity to people and anything that gets people out of the office and under the sun is a good thing, but still, I dont get it, and that doesn’t make golfers outcasts to me. Now that I’ve offended all the golfers, you can sort of see how I feel when people call me a “bunny hugging outcast” or other mean titles. Ive been getting insulted a lot lately, in many different languages even, all around the world.

Every day I go to work and “throw my papers” though now I use them to line cage after cage after cage after cage. The animals  in my care get their food and water bowls washed every day, their bedding changed, their bellies filled with top quality groceries. I learned a long time ago that the more effort invested in their care and the higher quality of food I feed, the faster they heal and grow, the healthier they become and the sooner they go back into the wild. I have two personal mantras; “Do no harm” and “Because somebody ought too!” That pretty much sums up the how and why of my world.

The day the “Dry Gulch Chupacabra” call came, it was a caller that wasn’t certain what they had, and my husband Robbie Tucker and my assistant, Adam Smart, took off to collect the animal and bring it in for care like we have done thousands of times. Once in the door, I was confused for only a moment as the little animal had her head and shoulders burrowed into her blanket. All I could see in the dim light of the crate was her rounded back, large hips and hairless tail. I couldnt tell that she was bald, just slick. Having raised 2 wallabies, that is what the first glimpse brought to mind and it was exactly the look of a baby wallaby hunched over in this familiar pose. In seconds, I realized I had misjudged. The head popped up and it was obvious, this was a raccoon.

The press called us after someone had contacted them. I told the journalist that it was indeed a raccoon with a skin condition, most likely mange (you could smell the mange) and said it was not anything unusual. He insisted that this was a big story and people wanted to see a follow up. Sure. Fine. Whatever. I am not someone who relishes the spotlight or media attention. It interferes with my tight schedule of caring for the animals. I dont mind media that brings in much needed support for these animals, but distractions and stress and visitors sparked by a spot on the news can be overwhelming and myself and my crew get exhausted with the constant interruptions and in this case, the confrontations.

The phone calls began almost immediately. We did our little TV spot that as always, made me feel insecure and apprehensive. Would they edit it to make me look stupid? How many chins would I have? Would my clinic be portrayed well? Would it bring in support? Would people say nasty things in the blogs that would keep me up at night and raise my blood pressure? Of course they would. They always do, but any support that would come from it would be well worth it. We are headed into orphan season where we will spend tens of thousands on formula. I owe six figures on my farm from borrowing money for infants, and I cannot borrow any more. I need the public to step up to help me. I have no time to fund-raise and I HATE asking for money. I would rather have a root canal.

The story went viral on the Internet and was aired on local stations around the country and the world. The phone calls to the clinic were getting downright silly as people argued with me as to what species I had in my care. They dont know me, but I cant help but wonder what makes someone think that they can tell in a photo better than a 14 year, 15,000 wild animal care experienced rehabilitator can determine up close. I change her bed and medicate her every day. I have other raccoons on the property. Shave any of them down and you will have a “chupacabra”.

For those demanding DNA testing, for those who insist it’s a coatimundi, for those who speculate hairless opossum or armadillo without a shell, I really dont know what to tell you. I dont care what you think it is or how much you believe yourself. I care about one thing and one thing only; that ALL the animals in my care get the same level of attention and the same quality of treatment. I care that my health is not compromised by stressing over all the cruel and negative comments left anonymously on the public blogs, I care that the emails that I get each morning are constructive to the welfare of animals and not loaded with silly questions and criticisms that I am forced to deal with. I really just want to do my job and heal a fox paw, recover a rabbit and great horned owl from head injuries, raise some squirrels, repair wings on several raptors, mourn the loss of our recent bald eagle who died of a broken back, and of course, grow hair on a raccoon, and be available to people all over the country for legitimate help. I could only hope that anyone who lives a high pressure life could understand what it would be like for you if suddenly you were in possession of a proposed “mythical animal” and the whole world had an opinion, and one of them was that you were incompetent. Its rough on me. I have a hard time keeping my emotions out of my work because my work is emotional. I wouldn’t work this hard and have the success that I have with these animals if I didnt care so deeply about each and every one of them.

Now, for those of you who have found humor in the way this story has swept the world, I’m glad that you see my point of view. I think people are looking for some distractions to the tragedies and tribulations of the times, and I am tickled that a little raccoon presented that opportunity. I agree that there are far more serious and worthy stories to take up our attention, but at the end of the day, we are only human and sometimes humans need to forget that we are all in deep ‘fecal matter’ and focus on something more pathetic than ourselves. This little raccoon certainly fits the bill!

If you are reading this blog because you care about this little gal, we appreciate it and would love to hear from you. Email me at wheartrnch@aol.com as this blog tends to generate nothing but spam. Its hard to sift though it to find real messages about my entries.

I am going to head to the clinic to work now to “throw my papers” and face another day of poop. We would greatly appreciate any fundraising help for our efforts, and for those who have donated, please know that we are using your money to purchase formula for these babies. We are no where near our goal, so please spread the word. Nothing is taken for granted here at Wild Heart Ranch, and we are eternally grateful to have a “chupacabra” in our life, no matter the hassle she brought along. What she has done is to bring attention to my greatest passion which is wildlife rehabilitation and make people think a bit about our beloved wild neighbors, though I do hope that everyone realizes that each and every day there are wild ones who need a bit of help to get back on their feet. It takes one of our species to decide to help, and there are people all over the country who are available. All you need to do is make some phone calls. We are here. Having the opportunity to assist any suffering animal is a privilege and an honor for us. We are always humbled by their recovery, and look forward to each and every release. It is our reward for a job well done!

Have a wonderful spring and thanks for reading!

Annette

 WARNING: Graphic wound photos!

I am so happy. Our little kitten we worked on this summer that was carved up and recovered GOT ADOPTED! “Mr Butt Hurts” as he has come to be known, has healed completely from his HORRID injuries. He was brought in to me late one night by Chelsea PD. His rear end had been carved out, literally OUT by some fiend with a razor blade and the flesh removed. Yes, cats can get their tails caught and deglove, but this was a precision cut. Clearly torture for the baby who was only about 5 weeks old, and he had a charred cigarette burn on his face. (Give me 5 minutes with these people!!) 

Butts was sewn up and eventually Doctor Cash took his tail off to speed his recovery. It worked. He is fully recovered and functions like a normal cat. When he first came in, we couldnt tell if he was male or female since the genitals were mangled. Angela held him while I rebuilt his sevored rectum and pieced together his skin to close a gaping hole that was exposing his intestines and spine. Butts healed without infection and to all of our shock, regained complete use of everything. His name was never meant to stick. It was what I logged on his paperwork to identify him. Honestly, I wasnt sure if the kitten would survive his injuries, and last night, my good friends, Jeff and Corita Chandler, known for their collection of rescued kitties who are all spoiled rotten, offered to give him a good home. My kitten stalks my birds and walks the tables, and I can see baby season being just far too much temptation for him. Cant chance it.

Butt Hurt’s photos are graphic if you dare to look. Its pretty bad. Today he looks like a normal kitten, without a tail.

Thank you to the Chelsea PD for saving him from his suffering and to Doctor Cash for the surgery. He is an affectionate little guy and hasn’t got a grudge in him. What a little inspiration!

Open wound                                          All sewn up!

Christmas 2009 supplies drive!!

We are ready to get ready for our Spring Orphan Season 2010! Yes, it’s crazy. Our wild orphans will begin again in February and we had better be ready! Once they start, there is no time to scramble for supplies, so we are going to be taking drop offs on

 Saturday December 19th from 11 am to 3:00 pm.

We will show you around the new clinic and introduce you to some of our friendly furry kids. We no longer have open house events due to the stress it creates on our animals, so this will be a “drop off and look around” at the clinic only so the deer don’t freak and injure themselves and our animals don’t stress from a crowd. Photos are welcome, but we ask that visitors do not approach the fawns and outside cages. There are plenty of “happy to see you” kids in the clinic. You can meet Lilly skunk, Duckie Opossum, “Snots” the friendly (chronic upper respiratory infection-now recovered) white tail and maybe a few of his tamer cohorts, Devon the “talk your head off” African Gray parrot, peek at the bobcat cubs and whatever animals we have in at the time. We have some compelling survival stories here, so be prepared to be moved by the happy faces and the journey they have made with us.

There are less than 100 animals here now, but several hundred will come in for care between February and August. Each wild animal’s care averages $50 each. Though a bird may cost a few dollars, a fawn can cost more than $500 to raise. The cost of cleaning supplies, utilities and consumables is in addition to their care. We are looking for help with these non stop needs. We still have Spencer and Trooper, our rescued horses. They are consuming $800 per month in feed and hay. We are always looking for sponsorship for these guys. Trooper is a fat moose and all healed up, but has to remain here for legal reasons for awhile and Spencer still needs to gain weight, but he is doing SO well.

Here is our list of “most needed supplies” (no particular order of need)

Pellet stove pellets (to heat the clinic. We use a bag a day during the winter)

Dawn antibacterial dish soap (for bathing animals & cleaning cages)

Any brand of dish soap in any size Laundry soap (The cheap bulk stuff is GREAT!)

Hand soap (keep our crew clean)

Paper towels (for dirty jobs)

Trash bags (30 gallon kitchen bags or commercial bulk bags)

 Bleach (any brand)

Chlorox “Green Works” cleaners of all kinds (no fumes-easy on our animals for cleaning everything!!)

Any floor or multi purpose cleaners, bleach cleaners great for surfaces!

Any first aid or medical supplies

Nolvasan or Privasan (chlorhexidine) ointment and solution (Stillwater Milling)

3.5 cc syringes & .22 gage needles (Stillwater Milling)

Gift certificates for Atwoods and Stillwater Milling are a FAVORITE!!!

Gift certificates for Clips and Bows in Claremore or Pet Stop in Owasso

Any canned cat or dog food High Quality dry dog food (wildlife cant do the cheap stuff)

Baby flaked rice cereal (we will use 300+ boxes this year)

Money for formula (we buy in bulk and get discounts)

Newspapers (no bugs please! We have had our clinic infested with roaches from newspapers and finally got rid of them without chemicals. We must be careful!)

Dog crates, dog houses, pens and cages in GOOD condition

Sweet feed (12% & 14%)

Corn chops

Bird seed-all kinds

High quality hay in square bales (must have the good stuff for these horses)

Old or freezer burned meat (no pork or cooked meat please) Game is fine. The cats love it! PLEASE do not kill anything for us though! We are all and only about avoiding wasted meat.

Donations can be made at our Website at www.wildheartranch.org or mailed to us at:

Wild Heart Ranch

10491 S 4190 Rd Claremore,

Ok 74017

918)342-WILD (9453)

Driving directions to the ranch are available at our website under the “visiting” link on the left.

Thank you for your continued support of our wildlife rescue efforts. We would not still be here if it were not for the people who keep us working and those we care for growing and going WILD! Thank you and have a WILD Christmas!!

Sincerely, Annette King Tucker-Founder/President/Director

Sandy Brooks-Co Founder/Vice President

Our Wonderful and dedicated Board of Directors and Staff

Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue

Here it is, another fall. Another chance to watch the leaves become brilliant shades of all that is natural. Their contrast against the bright green grass this year is unusual. I love it. Gives me a new fall memory. There are benefits to having a yard full of fertilizing machines.

My head is filled with the typical cruisades of an ADHD animal rescuer. “How to save the world RIGHT NOW”. Thats pretty much me, and all I think about. It gets in the way sometimes. People come into my world and are in awe of the things I get to do, and the overwealming needs of everything, all the time, without rest. Then they get to know me. Never satisfied with what I accomplish, always needing to do more, be more for more, care for more, build for more, fund more. You cant work 24/7 for 14 years focused on one thing and not be obscessed. I am obscessed, and I wear people out. My long term supporters have figured out the key to feeling that they have accomplished something with their donations. “Stay away”. It’s true. My clinic volunteers, God Bless them, know not to start spending. I tell them “If you give your time, keep your money”. Its a trap. There is always another need. Ive given all my money and all my time. It is never enough. I regret and resent nothing. Im here at my own choosing.

But then, once in awhile, I pause in my incessant obscession of expanding and finding support, and I look around me. Do I see animals miserable in cages? Do I see evidence of a lack of care? Do I see a gap in what I stand for and what I do every day? No. I see none of that. I see real hope for those who have the potential to leave my care and I see contentment in those who never will leave. I work very hard and I have very little life outside of my work. I am my work and its all I ever want to be in this life. I am so blessed and so thankful to be able to say “I live my dream.” and I aspire for nothing more than to do it with less constraints.

With my thanks for what I am able to do, I also have prayers for the things I see that lack blessings. My prayers are simple, yet huge. I pray for the lives of people who’s dreams and stability have turned to survival and strife. I pray that soon they find themselves in a position to also care for others, the purpose of all our lives. Being able to care for others, nomatter how insignificant the effort, is a result of having all that you need yourself. Its a good feeling, and the way our Country is today, that feeling is becoming scarce, and it creates sadness. When people can once again give, the calls for the animals doing without will subside. I am only one woman, and I spread what I have and recieve as thin as I can, but my standards for those in my care will never falter. I cannot sacrafice on thier behalf. I have recently learned to turn my back on those not born wild to preserve my purpose, and its very difficult for me. No life is unworthy of my care. I do not see a line for acceptable suffering, but to properly care for one species, I have to limit myself for caring for others. My dreams and goals do not discriminate. Someday, if the universe is willing, I will be able to take them all under my wing.

I am not soliciting funds from the general public these days. It pains people who wish to give and share to have to turn their backs on a need that moves them. I understand that feeling. I live it daily. Our dreams for a major expansion to serve the animals cast out by financial struggle may have to wait, and Im fighting to be okay with that. I have no patience. Life is so short, and it could all end at any moment. We all know this for certain. There are so many people who were doing their thing, day after day, their stupid little problems getting their attention, those that loved them getting less of it. We are all guilty. And suddenly, unexpectedly, a life is snuffed out, so I am relentlessly driven to create something for animals that can not be made into anything else when Im gone. A legacy for them. Something that will live after me and continue on as a haven. It’s amazing when you realize that everything you own, even your home, will someday eventually be owned or inhabited by complete strangers. We never really own anything. All of it is only for our use while we are here. It is purpose that lives beyond us. We ARE our purpose. Contribution is fullfilling a purpose, weather it be your own or someone elses. If 20 people a week visited your local shelter and took  photos of animals needing a home and spent time on the internet hunting for a family who had room, there would be a phenominal result and a very effective purpose. This costs nothing but a little time. The result is lives saved, giving achieved, goals reached, resources preserved, happiness and fullfillment accomplished, and just think about the people who work for our shelters who do not have to kill healthy animals they are working to save. Wow. What a result of so little action! What a small contribution that produces such a loving result. And just think..it is a step in saving the world!

I can get a little morbid sometimes, but I deal with death in my job on a regular basis. One thing that my website and my writing helps me accomplish is my need for an animal who has passed on to leave behind a legacy or some sort, that their life did not end without the notice of others. I am not the only one who was affected by their struggle. I apply that to myself as well. We should all have one goal in mind as we lead our lives, and mine has always been so simple and so seemingly insignificant to hear, but at the same time, it holds me to my higher purpose within each and every day;

“When I die, I want people I’d never met to miss me”

That is the true evidence of a life lived with purpose. Im working on it.

Annette

What an honor it was on Saturday November 7th to be called upon by State authorities to care for one of our Nation’s greatest treasures. This majestic bird was not only impressive to look at, but his presence actually seemed to change the climate in our wildlife clinic. It became “sacred ground” for awhile, and I could not have been more humbled to have been handed such a trust. I have never touched an Eagle, and here I was examining his massive body, running my fingers along his wing bones checking for breaks, opening the impressive beak looking for evidence of problems. I was shaking. The pressure to save his life was tangible, and the responsibility was overwhelming. After finding no physical injuries, I clearly felt this eagle was fighting an internal battle. His breathing was slightly labored and he was somewhat thin, but in relatively good flesh. The thought of a poisoning came to mind, and struck a familiar chord of fear in me. Animals who ingest other animals dying from rodent poison fall victim to the same fate, but a far slower death would come. It would be too late to save this eagle if that were the case. From the tattered state of his tail, he had been on the ground for a few days at least. I had hope that I was wrong and this was a lung infection and nothing more. “Spirit” as we called him, began to recover immediately. Though he was rejecting food, we continued to treat him for infection and for a crop that had clearly shut down and had become rancid. We gave him medication to give him energy, and the listless bird turned around for us overnight. The treatments were working and he was standing strong with his wings tucked properly now, he began to drink water on his own and was vocalizing from time to time. We gave him privacy and avoided handling him except for necessary cage changing. He was extremely cooperative with me for all his treatments. I kept him confined so that I could medicate him quickly and avoid undue stress. He was an ideal patient, until yesterday. Though he had passed all inspection for progress yesterday morning, by afternoon something had gone horribly wrong. Spirit was suddenly gasping for breath, and he was distressed. We didn’t hesitate. We immediately took him to our veterinarian, Doctor Lesleigh Cash of Hooves Paws and Claws in Claremore. Life support was given to no avail. His decline was sudden and unstoppable as his body began to shut down. Spirit had been showing the tell tale signs of rodent poisoning and was treated for such, but his progress had given us hope for a miracle. This condition is always fatal for wildlife as we do not get them until the toxins are well absorbed and the animals are unable to avoid being captured. People who use poison for rodents do not realize that they do not die immediately. They are likely to wander aimlessly for hours, becoming easy prey to hungry wildlife and domestic pets. I have cared for dozens of poisoned wild animals in my 14 years as a wildlife care specialist. Ive saved none of them. Last night I brought our beautiful bird back to my wildlife clinic, his empty cage standing before me, his lifeless body in my arms. Ceremoniously, I wrapped him in an American flag and lay my head on him with tremendous pain and regret. I thanked him for allowing me the hope of his recovery, and for fighting with us, as hard as we did, even though recovery was impossible. I apologized to him for the tragedy of his death, and the cruel contribution from my own species to his suffering. What an incredible animal. What Spirit. He will be picked up by a Federal wildlife agent soon and handed over to a Native American eagle feather program who will use his feathers with great respect and honor. We at Wild Heart Ranch dedicate our lives to improve the lives of thousands of our original Americans, the wildlife whom we share space with. We feel this is part of our responsibility as the dominating species, to assist those who are helpless against the infringement of people into their lives, and without care when tragedy finds them. We ask that out of respect for those who have no voice, that the use of poisons be rethought when dealing with rodents. There are other ways to cope that create no other victims. I would have rather never touched an American Eagle, than to have had one die in my arms yesterday. This could have been avoided, and I feel it is our duty to change our ways to avoid such a needless and devastating loss. We thought of our soldiers away from home in the bold and revered Spirit of an eagle that for a few brief days, touched the honored few who shared space with him. God speed. We are forever changed. We wish we could have released him to honor you all. As I look for ways to expand our facility to provide more suitable and substantial means to care for these animals, I will take with me each day the motivation I felt to save just one; the eagle that didn’t fly. He represents all of them to me, as well as all of us. It is time for change, and it is time to do more for others and to be better Americans, even if it just means opting for mouse traps instead of bait. A few photos were taken at the few times we handled Spirit. They are now my treasures. I wanted to share his majesty and his story. I couldn’t allow him to go without leaving something behind for us to learn. God Bless. Annette King Tucker Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue www.wildheartranch.org

Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue

 10491 S 4190 Rd Claremore, OK  74017

(918) 342-WILD   

 As you may already know, Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue has been providing care to orphaned and/or injured wildlife in Northeastern Oklahoma since 1996.  The operation of this organization has always depended upon the dedication of volunteers and donations from generous individuals and businesses.   

Wild Heart Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.  All donations are tax deductible.  We take in, care for and release an average of 1,000 wild animals each year. Our goal is to continue to expand and accommodate the growing demands of the area’s wildlife needs and to always assist law enforcement with legal seizures of neglected and abused domestic, exotic, and farm animals and provide for all their needs until they can be adopted into caring homes. We are urgently seeking grants and corporate sponsorships as well as private donations to launch our next phase of development.  We are in need of a “wilding facility” for predators, pasture and barns for the neglected horses we take in, and our community is in dire need of an emergency animal shelter, medical services for strays and eventually a low or no cost spay program for area residents. We wish to construct the facility to provide these services, but must act immediately to purchase land, currently on the market, directly across the road from our existing facility. It is 40 acres, perfect for our needs and the cost is reasonable.  Our Board of Directors is proud to supervise the operation of the facility as well as to oversee revenues and expenditures of the organization.  Our Board consists of a reputable group of individuals encompassing professionals in the legal field, law enforcement, animal medical and wildlife support community as well as business, education, and philanthropic.   

If you would like to learn more about our organization, please do not hesitate to contact us at (918) 342-WILD or visit our website at www.wildheartranch.org.   

With Sincere Gratitude,

Wild Heart Ranch Board of Directors;

*Annette King Tucker, President, Founder, Director of Operations, State and Federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator and care technician

*Sandy Mahl Brooks, Co-Founder, Vice President, State and Federally licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

*Robyn Wilkerson, (Barrister Studios and Orien Systems) Co-Director of Operations, Wildlife Rehabilitator

*Dr. Lesleigh Cash-Warren, DVM, Medical Advisor, State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

*Scott Troy, Esq., (Attorney at Law), Legal Committee *Christina Belda, (Law Enforcement) Secretary/Treasurer

*Floyd Langley, CPA, Financial Advisor

*Beth Langlinais, (Elementary Teacher) Member

*Patrick Abitbol, (Assistant District Attorney, Rogers Co. Oklahoma) Legal committee

Its been a crazy few weeks. My father had a stroke. He will recover but it will take time. The same 24 hours as Dad’s stroke, our bobcat, KC Bickai pinched a nerve in his spine and went paralized. Stress on top of stress, panic on top of panic. Dad is okay and KC is back to normal, though it took several days before I relaxed. (KC is currently hunting a puppy who is hiding between my feet. He’s such a poop)

I have one brindle Old English Mastiff puppy left to sell and they are all gone. Sabra will be spayed and this wont happen again. Its sad though. She gave me the most beautiful puppies and all of them have gotten incredible homes and their families are thrilled with them. I just have such a battle with myself bringing puppies into the world when so many are destroyed each day. Just cant ever let that happen again, but I dont regret them. We kept 3 and they are beautiful, intelligent and loyal pups.

This week we welcomed my dear friend and partner poop scooper, Robyn Wilkerson into the top of the food chain at Wild Heart Ranch. Sandy Brooks and I made her our partner as the controlling heads of our organization. Of course we will make it official at the next Board meeting, but I cant see anyone having a problem. Robyn is one of those rare and wonderful individuals who “gets it”.  She spent a lifetime breeding and showing saddlebred horses, and has 6 world championships under her belt. Robyn spearheaded changes in the business that put pressure for more humane and kind methods of training and handling. When she retired from the horses, she had no plans to get involved with such exhausting dedication again, but then she met our Kiara, who did something she only reserves for her mother (me). Kiara gave Robyn a bath. SUNK! Kicking and screaming, she is in it up to her neck now so we may as well make it official. Welcome Robyn!!

We are loading up with injuries and squirrels. The fawn look wonderful and are shedding their spots. The little kitten who was carved up with a razor blade is healing beautifully and Winston the pug is recovered and being adopted by my Daughter, Katie. This way I can see him all the time and dont have to worry about him getting trampled by my herd of mastiffs!

XO!

Annette

Its one of those mornings when I’ve had way too much coffee. Brain is in overdrive. My dad had a stroke and my little brother is with him in Texas. I made arrangements to head to Texas this weekend, but Dad is stable so I will wait and go see him when he is home. Angela can handle the clinic and with Robbie here, they would be fine, but I still have anxiety about leaving when there are injuries that need daily treatments and babies that are delicate. Hopefully in a few weeks I will get a window of opportunity to take a weekend to go see Dad without leaving anyone critical behind.

Ive been working on a little skunk that was attacked by people in Tulsa. He’s just a baby, about 12 weeks old. Some men threw rocks at him. A teenage girl spend the night with the baby in the parking lot, at the motel her and her dad stay at. She gave him honey and kept his blood sugar up and finally found a box, made him a nest and took him inside. We couldn’t find anyone to help her, so my crew and I headed to Tulsa and picked him up. He is okay, no broken bones. He has a hole in his thigh the size of a half dollar. Its healing well. Every day I flush the wound and apply my miracle salve, Nolvasan. He is eating great and the wound has already closed half way. Poor little skunk. He is such a good kid. No spraying, never trying to bite me. He freezes when I work on him, and afterward, dives under his blanket for security.

I dont understand the dark part of humans that makes it acceptable to injure a baby, just because it was born a skunk. This little one was going about his business and found himself in a parking lot. Im sure he was terrified trying to make his way back to the safety of his den. He got lost, and for it he was tortured. There was no evidence of spraying. This little guy took it all without defending himself. That makes me sad. I believe in karma though. What goes around comes around. We should all be careful of how we treat others, no-matter how small and insignificant they may seem. Dont get me wrong. I go on fly massacres in my clinic daily and a roach will be immediately killed in my presence. I have my limits, but you will never see me injure anything, even an insect, just to injure. I always say “There are worse things than dead” and I feel strongly about that. Suffering is far worse, and anyone that finds pleasure or entertainment in any form of suffering is cruel. In any form of animal rescue, we see more than our share of this, and that’s why I work so hard. I am not here to save all the wild animals because they are endangered or disappearing. I am realistic enough to know that the thousand animals each year that I care for are merely a drop in the bucket of what is out there needing help. My mission is about operating a facility that works to stop suffering for all creatures, by providing high standards, loving care and medical treatment that wouldnt be available to a little wild thing, or an injured  or suffering “cant turn my back” animal. My dream is to open a medical clinic and facility that can help all animals of all species that are hurting or suffering. My little place can only handle the wildlife and occasional puppy or kitten or starving horse. I wish I could share that vision and set a precedence for a solution that could be followed in other places.

Anyway, that’s what Im working for. I am so hopeful that in my lifetime, I will get to work there.

Thank you Ned Bruha, our beloved “Skunk Whisperer” for your determination to get rehab for the ’stoned skunk’.

Annette

Photos of Trooper taken 09-17-09

The gaping wound they said would never heal

The starving horse they said would never gain weight and needed euthanized

Spencer-Coming back slowly but surely. His progress is frustrating for us because it is so slow. He feels good. He has torn down 2 fences and is getting bossy with the food. Doc said he was literally dying when we picked him up, so we must be patient. Spencer’s recovery will take months and months.

Spencer, showing some new leg and thigh muscle