46 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2019
WILD THINGS
LIVING IN HARMONY
BY ALLISON MATOS
From deer and foxes to bats and birds,
Long Island is lucky to have an array
of beautiful wildlife. But this also
means learning to protect domestic
animals, as coexisting with wildlife
can be tricky.
Save the Animals Rescue Foundation
(STAR), a local nonprofit volunteer
organization dedicated to the welfare
of domestic and wild animals, says
it’s the responsibility of every Long
Islander and pet owner to protect
pets and wildlife from one another.
“Many wild animals actually provide
service in the grand scheme of life,”
says Lori Ketcham, a STAR Foundation
volunteer. “Without the predators,
the prey would overpopulate
and create new issues. We are the
ones who interfere with the balance.”
The group’s goal is to
provide a safe haven
for every
injured or
orphaned
Long Island
animal in
need of medical
care, rehabilitation, or humane
euthanasia, and return as many
healthy animals as possible to their
natural habitat. They have a Middle
Island facility where they house
permanent residents, administer
wildlife rehabilitation, and conduct
trainings.
STAR often receives calls from concerned
pet owners with small dogs
and cats when they see hawks in the
trees over their yards. The group
notes it’s important to remember that
hawks live on Long Island too and
are a protected species. To minimize
the risk to pets, STAR
offers these tips:
• Don’t leave small pets unattended.
Wildlife does not see a difference
between natural prey and a small
pet. Be there to intervene if need be.
• Do not feed wildlife. Secure your
gardens, never leave pet food outside,
and keep your garbage cans sealed
tight.
• Never use
poisons to
control a
nuisance situation.
Too many nontarget animals
will suffer, including dogs and cats.
• Trapping wildlife is illegal, so call
the experts if you need assistance.
“Having wildlife removed just
creates a vacuum, and new animals
will move in to fill the void,”
Ketcham notes. “Not to mention
that the unfortunate ones who
are trapped by wildlife removal
services are not released in a park
— they are destroyed as per New
York State law.”
The STAR Foundation can be
reached at 631-736-8207, info@
savetheanimalsrescue.org or
savetheanimalsrescue.org
PRESS PETS
Pet owners must be aware of local
wildlife risks, such as hawks.
Join the Celebration
75 Years of
No-Kill Action
and Compassion
A D O P T A P E T T O D A Y !
North Shore Animal League America has many
puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats to choose from.
Mixed-breeds, purebreds, and small breeds too!
OPEN FOR ADOPTIONS:
Friday • 4 PM - 9 PM
Saturday & Sunday • 12 PM - 8 PM
25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050 • animalleague.org • 516.883.7575 • RR006
FOLLOW US ON:
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CEMETERY & MEMORIAL PARK
Lovely & Quaint
Grounds Open Daily
Open To All Faiths Headstone, Flat Marker & Cremation
Grave Sites and New Mausoleum
Payment Options Available
For Pre-Need
500 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington
516 944 8530 • www.nassauknollscemetery.org
/savetheanimalsrescue.org
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