Wildfire dangers Wildlife
Hundreds of animals evacuated
By Adrienne Papp | September 04, 2009
Founded in 1976 by wildlife lover and expert Martine Colette, the Wildlife WayStation is a national non-profit, holding rehabilitation, medical and problem solving refuge for native, wild and exotic animals. Located in California, at the Angeles National Forest, north of the San Fernando Valley, the Wildlife WayStation was a safe haven for both native and exotic wildlife dedicated to their rescue, rehabilitation and relocation. It was a safe haven until devastating fires hit, which now is dangering the lives of its inhabitants in the canyon home, calling for evacuation for the first time in its history.
About half a dozen chimps were evacuated from the smoke and the flames to a safer place. Their screams brought tears to the eyes of Martine Collette.
�I am relieved that they are leaving, they will be safe, but I feel scared for them�, says a teary Martine. "There is no panic. They shut down. They kind of hunker down and they are very, very calm about what is happening. What makes them confused and stressed is being put in cages and being moved to a strange facility. They do not understand what is happening and that is hard on them.�
This is the first time they had to evacuate the animals, and it will not be an easy task to move them back either. For now, they are being taken to the Los Angeles Zoo until the fires in the area are contained.
But how do you move a 300-pound lion? The task is not an easy one.
These animals come from all over the world and from many different situations. The WayStation�s long-standing commitment is to accept any animal, no matter what the problem, free of charge and with no reservations. In short, no wild or exotic animal in need is ever turned away. Since its inception, the Wildlife WayStation has provided shelter and care to over 75,000 animals.
An animal lover myself, I often wondered why dogs are so quick to wag their tails, cats are so quick to purr, and lions demonstrate that lion-hearted love despite that they are ferocious predators? Even those cats and dogs that have been lonely, abused, and betrayed.
Because, as is true of all animals, they were instilled with the distant awareness that no matter what the world shows them, they're still deeply loved and needed, that their presence alone has made a difference, and that in just the shake of a leg, seemingly without reason or rhyme, everything can FANTASTICALLY change for the better.
As is true of all people, although we sometimes tend to forget.
A combination of staff and volunteers, each of whom is dedicated to the health and happiness of each and every animal, mans the Wildlife WayStation. The small paid staff and large group of volunteers manage the day-to-day operations maintaining the ranch and providing nurturing and support to the animals. The volunteers also facilitate the educational process and the dissemination of information through outreach programs, and special events.
The Wildlife WayStation is a national non-profit, charitable organization, supported solely through donations, bequests, fundraising events, memberships and animal sponsorship programs.
Supporters and donors of the Station include Nicollette Sheridan, Sharon Stone and Keanu Reeves, among many others.
To learn about the organization visit
www.wildlifewaystation.org and for heart-warming video clips click on
http://www.wildlifewaystation.org/?page_id=604
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Comments to date: 6. Page 1 of 1. Average Rating:  LGC
Tujunga | 12:30pm on Thursday, August 11th, 2011  | I've been there and the animals are well and happy. I don't know what P.Z. or Maria are talking about. Their enclosures are very large and two sided and the anmimals get enrichment several days a week. Their living areas are cleaned daily with deep cleanings every 90 days. It's a wonderful place for these poor creatures who have been mis treated or have nowhere else to go! |
Katelin
Columbus | 6:43pm on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 | It's great to know that workers and volunteers are doing their best to protect our animals. |
Jana
Los Angeles | 11:56am on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 | Thank you for this article. I love animals and love to hear how in the midst of tragedies there are those would care and lookout for their well being |
Maria Location unknown | 12:10pm on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 | The Waystation was sued by the USDA for animal neglect. Chimps mutilated their arms out of boredom. Improper vet care. They lost their Fish & Game permits are closed to the public. Entire board of directors resigned at once. Do you research. |
P.Z.
S.F. VALLEY | 6:45pm on Friday, September 4th, 2009  | The Wildlife Waystation sure sounds sympathetic, but DEAR REPORTER...why don't you look DEEPER into this sordid mess. The Wildlife Waystation is closed to the public because of hundreds upon HUNDREDS of animal welfare violations, broken laws, co-mingling of funds/misuse of funds, and animal abuse and neglect. THIS FIRE IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THESE POOR ANIMALS! If you want to help these animals, support the plcaes that have taken them in. DO NOT GIVE MARTINE COLLETTE MONEY. Google her, the Waystation and learn for yourself! The first money spent every month is she pays her mortgage out the waystation's funds; in essence, yes---the Waystation foundation pays her to live on the property. The money you donate pays 100% of Martine's bills & expenses (she's remodeled her guest bathroom 3 times in the last decade). Mind you, the Waystation has been shut down to the public for the last decade! The animals are starved on Sundays. Over 90% of the animals have NEVER been rotated into different cages the are confined to tiny spaces that look worse than prison cells. SHe has been sued and LOST three times by the USDA! Fish & game have revoked her permits! The animal hospital is overrun with rodents and has been red-tagged for nearly a decade. She has illegal immigrants working for her, and she often skips or reduces their pay to nothing---and they have no recourse. Seeing the animals at teh Waystation is a heartbreaking experience. DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE! Before you donate, LOOK INTO THE ORGANIZATION. Martine Collette is a far graver danger than any fire. Help save the animals...and do what you can to make sure they stay in their new homes, rather than face the horror or small cages, inadequate food, water, & medical care....and blantant mistreatment that no living creature should have to endure. |
Dalma
Los Angeles | 6:01pm on Friday, September 4th, 2009 | Those poor creatures! Thanks for the article. I want to go visit this place. Hopefully the fire will not destroy it. Well written piece. Informational and entertaining. |
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