The Big Rescue in Montana

We’ve been watching a rescue situation in Montana with a heavy heart. A private ranch in Montana recently revealed that they  could no longer care for the animals they had taken in. In truth, they  hadn’t been able to care for them for some time. Over 600 assorted animals were involved. At times, it seemed an impossible task, but the power and love of dedicated volunteers has turned this into a victorious and heart warming situation. Read this post from Jerry Finch for a great update!

If you can help out, please do! Your donations are critical to Llama Rescue. AZLR is standing by to assist and will need more resources to finance this project.

 

 

More llamas find new homes!

The AZLR team is glowing this month with yet another success store to share. Cinnamon, Anabelle , and Raven, all llamas in our care , found new homes this month too. The new owner has outstanding experience with animals and a beautiful home environment for our furry friends. We excitedly wish these three great llamas all of the best in their new home. They deserve all of the happiness of a stable and loving permanent home.

“…follow the yellow brick road…”

Dave had some exciting news to share this week. He wrote:

” I’m happy to report that Ron and Twiggy Smith will be adopting Topaz and Suzette.  And yes, they live on Yellow Brick Road in Chino Valley, AZ.  They have two and a half acres and one female llama already – Zoe.  They have good fencing, shelters, and all their animals look very well cared for – chickens, dogs, and goats.  I will be transporting these two from Snowflake to Chino Valley on September 30th.”
We are thrilled to find a wonderful home for more of the llamas in our care. These llamas deserve wonderful, permanent homes with loving families.

Getting to know Norman

Norman is an alpaca being cared for by AZLR at our Navajo County facility just east of Snowflake, AZ.  Temperatures will occassionally hit the mid-90′s for a few hours on these July afternoons.

The llamas will regulate their body temperature by resting in shade, standing in a water tank, or finding a wet and breezy area to stretch out during the hottest hours of the day.

Norman is special as you can see in the attached photo.  He prefers straddling a sprinkler to literally, “cool his heals.”

Oil spills and llama fiber… can you help?

Azlr shares this information on behalf of the Matter of Trust.

If you have any clean llama fiber or hair you don’t have a use for, the Matter of Trust is in need of VM free wool and hair for the oil spills.

Go to the this  link for specifics on packaging and shipping.

Thanks for your support!!  Alone we Struggle . . . Together we Thrive!

Rabies hits Colorado

Colorado Department of Agriculture
www.colorado.gov/ag
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2010
Contact:
Christi Lightcap, CDA, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>
Mark W. Salley, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, (303) 692-2013

Horse Confirmed with Rabies in Colorado

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture is encouraging livestock and pet owners to discuss animal health concerns, including the rabies vaccine, with their local veterinarian after a horse in eastern Arapahoe County tested positive for rabies.

“The department would like to stress two very important points,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.  “One—animal owners need to be aware that rabies is transferring from one species to another and they should monitor their animals for symptoms; and two—local veterinarians are a valuable resource to help producers decide the best course of action to protect their livestock and pets from rabies.”

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in 2009, there were a total of 103 rabies cases in 20 Colorado counties; one of those cases included a horse.  In September 2009, a horse in El Paso County was euthanized and subsequent tests determined the horse was infected with rabies; public health experts believe the horse was exposed in July 2009 to a skunk on its home property in the Black Forest area.

As of April 12, a total of 28 animals have tested positive for rabies in Colorado in 2010: 25 skunks (13 from Elbert County), 1 domestic cat from Prowers County, 1 muskrat from Morgan County, and the 1 horse from eastern Arapahoe County.

Rabies is a viral disease infecting the brain and central nervous system. The clinical appearance of rabies typically falls into two types: “aggressive” and “dumb.”  Aggressive rabies symptoms include combativeness and violent behavior and sensitivity to touch and other kinds of stimulation.  There is also a “dumb” form of the disease in which the animal is lethargic, weak in one or more limbs, and unable to raise its head or make sounds because its throat and neck muscles are paralyzed.

Rabies can be passed from animals to humans.  Elisabeth Lawaczeck, state public health veterinarian at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment added, “The best way to protect your family from rabies is to keep your pets currently vaccinated for rabies through your local veterinarian, humane society, or animal shelter. Rabies vaccination performed by owners will not be recognized by local public health or animal control agencies for licensing or in the event of an exposure to a rabid animal.”

Rabies is spread primarily through the bite of rabid animals, resulting in the spread of the disease through their infected saliva. Rabies also can be spread when saliva from an infected animal gets into open wounds, cuts or enters through membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.  No cure exists for rabies once symptoms appear although there is a vaccine to prevent the infection.  Livestock and pet owners are urged to discuss the vaccine with their local veterinarian.

“Animal owners need to primarily look for any dramatic behavioral changes.  That is typically one of the hallmark signs that the animal may be suffering from rabies,” said Roehr.

Examples of unusual behavior include: wild mammals that show no fear of people and pets; nocturnal animals that are active in daylight; and bats found on the ground, in swimming pools or that have been caught by a pet.  Rabid carnivores, such as skunks, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, dogs and cats, may become aggressive and may attempt to bite people, pets and livestock.

In addition to ensuring that pets and livestock are vaccinated properly against rabies, residents are encouraged to follow these prevention steps:

• Don’t feed wild animals or allow your pets around them. Be sure to teach children to stay away from wild mammals.
• Contact your veterinarian if your dog or cat is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, such as a skunk, bat, fox or raccoon.
• If you suspect you’ve been exposed to rabies, contact your physician without delay.
• Discuss rabies vaccination of your livestock with your veterinarian. Vaccination should be considered for horses and other equines, breeding livestock, dairy cattle or other high-value livestock, especially in areas of the state where skunks have been diagnosed with rabies.
• If you observe a wild mammal acting strangely, especially a skunk, or if you find a dead skunk that isn’t on your property, stay away from it. Strange behavior for a skunk would include being out and about during daytime hours.
• If you must remove a dead skunk on your property, wear rubber gloves or lift the carcass with a shovel or other tool, and double-bag it for the trash.
• Do not allow pet dogs or cats to roam freely, as this increases the chance they may be exposed without your knowledge. Keep dogs in a fenced in yard.
• Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander.
  

Additional Resources
Colorado Department of Agriculture
www.colorado.gov/ag/animals <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies/ <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>

Colorado Division of Wildlife
http://wildlife.state.co.us/About/OfficesAndPhone/ <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/ <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>

Colorado State University
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/livestk/01819.html <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>
http://csuvets.colostate.edu/equinehospital/Equine_Rabies_For_North_Forty_News_March_2009.pdf <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>
http://www.dlab.colostate.edu/ <http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BD4CE4200032FE90000529122230650629B0A02D29B9B0EBF980E0307029A96?cmd=Show&no=5040&uid=2150876&sid=c0>

Llamas, Volunteers and Businesses Join in Effort to Protect Fossil Creek

Sedona, Ariz. – As the U.S. Forest Service prepares for the thousands of recreationists expected to splash down in Fossil Creek this summer, volunteers and local businesses are helping to clean up the area and spread the word about campfires, parking and camping changes at Arizona’s newest Wild and Scenic River.

Charged with maintaining and protecting Fossil Creek’s special values, the Forest Service has prohibited campfires and camping in much of the area. New regulations are posted on area signs and bulletin boards.

In recent weeks, Forest Service crews have demolished as many as 300 campfire rings, installed new signs and set up boulders to discourage off-road driving.  “We’ve been contacting as many visitors as we can to inform them of the new regulations,” said Payson Ranger District Assistant Recreation Staff Officer Chelsea Muise. “There is some confusion over the new rules, but the majority of the folks are happy to see the changes and ready for them to be enforced.”

Muise says the campfire ban is to protect the soil and the trees. “So many have been chopped down for firewood. The loss of trees means a loss of shade and a hotter river that will have a negative impact on the fish and wildlife. We also have been concerned about the threat of wildfire caused by abandoned campfires.”

Since the March 8 implementation of new regulations more than two dozen citations have been issued, mostly for illegal campfires.

In March, the Cinder Hillbillies 4-H Club of Flagstaff sent down a subgroup known as the Llucky Llamas to join in the effort to protect Fossil Creek. The group, mostly youth and their parents, packed out some 200 pounds of garbage on eight llamas, including ash and cinders from campfires as existing fire rings were dismantled by the Forest Service and Coconino Rural Environmental Corp.

“It’s such a beautiful riparian area and it’s being trashed because of the numbers of people impacting this desert oasis,” said Llucky Llamas group leader Eric Souders. “We want our 4-H kids to understand the importance of preservation of our natural areas and the destruction that can be done by those who do not understand the accumulative damage of seemingly small actions of cutting trees to build fires and leaving trash in these fragile areas.”

John Bittner of the Fossil Creek Creamery also helped haul out trash and reminds campers who stop at his store near Strawberry about the new regulations. “We are glad to see the enhanced protection of Fossil Creek and have signs posted about the changes. No camping on the creek is being widely received. Most campers appreciate it. The biggest change is the need to pack in a camp stove if you’re planning to cook down there.” Under the new regulations only gas fired stoves and grills are allowed.

As the Forest Service develops a long-term Comprehensive River Management Plan, rangers are stepping up their efforts to inform recreationists about how the area is being managed and launching the Respect the River campaign to connect people to their riparian environments. Efforts to educate visitors and restore riparian habitat are supplemented by the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission.

Forest Service officials suggest Fossil Creek visitors be prepared to pack out all garbage to appropriate disposal sites and plan their food, shelter and clothing needs to accommodate the no fires policy. For more information, log on to:  www.coconinoforest.us  or www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call the Red Rock Ranger District at 928-282-4119 or the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900.

Dave’s adventure with Lakota

It wasn’t the best day to travel; but Kathy Lohr was very excited to meet Lakota

Lakota has a new home!

and welcome him to his new home in Mayer, Arizona.  I hit my first snow between Camp Verde and Strawberry, and then as I started up the Mogollon towards Forest Lakes and Heber found the 4-wheel-drive a necessity with snow and wind staying with me all the way to Snowflake

Traveling with me today from Queen Creek to Snowflake was our recent alpaca surrender – Bandit (a.k.a. Norman).  He also seemed happy with his new space; flirting with the girls and running through the snow along the guy’s fence line.  We’ll start working on his some of his social inadequacies after he gets acclimated.

Nash  had been weathering the storm all afternoon and wasn’t too excited about his new roommate.

Meet the Llamas in Tucson this weekend

Arizona Llama Rescue will be at Reid Park in Tucson,Arizona this Saturday 2/20. Come visit the llamas and learn about these amazing animals. The AZLR team will be on hand to answer questions and talk about adoption with interested families.

Hopi and Navajo made today’s news

AZLR board member Barbara Peacock made the news today talking to the East Valley Tribune about the economy’s effect on llamas. Read the full story here.  They’re not loosing their jobs – but their owners are. As families are hit with economic challenges, llama’s are being displaced in record numbers. Homes are lost, jobs are lost, money is tight.

Remember the Arizona Llama Rescue in your donations. Just $15 will buy a bale of hay and the AZLR and the llamas appreciate that support! Any donation is genuinely appreciated and put to good use.  AZLR funds are carefully used to rescue llamas. The AZLR team  boards llamas while we care for them and  prepare them for new homes. Some fund are available to help distressed llamas when we get a call. The need is constant and ongoing.  We appreciate your ongoing interest and support.