I have been a volunteer with our local wildlife sanctuary for several years now. I don't exactly go there to clean or anything like that. Instead I am listed on their answering machine as a person to contact for help and advice. From time to time I will be asked to go out and capture some animal in distress. I will even take in a dog or cat from time to time. Just like on the animal cop shows I have rescued injured and starved animals. The domestics I have in my home right now are stories that you have seen on TV's Animal Planet. My cat came to me as a ferral kitten with a real bad attitude. When he was old enough I had him neutered. Every night after my grandchildren went to bed, I would go to the cage, take him out and work with him. Every night that I did this, he tore me up big time. After 4 months, I released him from the cage figuring that if he left, he would not be reproducing and I could always keep food out for him so that he would never starve. Three years later, he still lives at my house, very loving towards me but avoides everyone else. For this reason I am not able to place him in another home. As a kitten he earned the name Demon. My next rescue is the result of a call from a vet. If I hadn't gotten to the vets office before animal control, this dog would have been put to sleep because of the injuries she recieved in the care of her previous owner who refused to get her help. She is a one year old akita and her left elbow joint had been dislocated. I took her to a vet who does orthopedic work and unfortunately the scar tisue damage was so great that the leg could not be saved. I have had her several months now and she is healthy, happy and active. She's great with children and completly housebroke. Almost 3 months ago, I received 2 female chihuahuas that were severly malnurished. One of these girls was pregnant. One week after recieving her she gave birth to 4 puppies. Due to the malnurishment, I lost the 2 males with in the first week. When the girls were 2 weeks old, mama kept trying to bury the small female, so I took her and stared handraising her. Mom dried up when the pups were 5 weeks old and so the other little girl had to go on formula for about 2 weeks. Both girls are 9 weeks old, very healthy and happy. Mom and the one baby have been placed into a great home together and I still have the one that I started caring for at 2 weeks of age. Some of the rescues I am not real fond of, but they are living creatures and deserve a chance at life. I have rescued racoons, squirrls, oppossums, wild baby birds, a fox, a ball python and a turkey vulture. I also do the grooming of one of the dogs at the sanctuary and when possible will take part in their fund raising events. I am very lucky to have a local vet help me with medical care of these animals for a reduced price, ortherwise I would not have been able to save as many lives as I have.

Wow-o! That is a good story but if I must ask. I understand that you put animal rescuer not hero. But wouldn't saving animals make you a hero? I believe you are a hero in every animal's eyes. That is enough don't you think? A fox?! Wow! I only rescue dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, once a oppossum. I am in love with foxes and they are me and I am them.
Anyway I liked the story on the cat, Demon. Stick to your gut and listen to your heart. Follow your dreams!! Good luck and have fun. Animal Hero!!

To me a hero is someone who risks their lives to save another life. I have not seen where I have risked my life yet. Growing up my father had his own Marine Exhibit and we have been raised around all kind of exotic animals. During the off season for us it was not uncommon for the large alligator to have full run of the yard, the baby gator in my parents bedroom, sea lions in the bathroom, iguanas running loose throughout the house and so forth. So at a very young age I had learned how to handle all types of animals, so basicly my life has not been at risk rescuing the animals that I have. Usually I have dealt with babies, my only adult rescue has been a turky vulture with an injured wing. With vultures the only risk that you take with them is them throwing up on you and you can prevent that by putting a towel or something over their heads when handling them. They won't throw up on themselves. So when I risk my life to save another then I would be proud to have the title of hero.