New Beginnings

So, This is me. I just celebrated my 25th birthday.

I've always believed in animal rights, in varying degrees. I've also always enjoyed visiting zoos, safaris, aquariums and so on.

Most 'animal rights' people will tell you zoos are horrible. I agree some zoos are horrible, But I believe in zoos as a whole. Some animals, such as red wolves, have been declared extinct in the wild and have survived solely because of zoos. The efforts zoos have made has led to a reintroduction of red wolves in protected wild areas.

Steve Irwin often said that "People will save the things that they love." He ran his zoo in such a way that you could meet many animals you normally wouldn't be able to interact with. He believed if you could meet these animals, you'd want to save them. I entirely agree.

Last spring my friends and I visited a small zoo in New Jersey I had never heard of, Bridget's Animal Kingdom in Bordentown. It was a nice little zoo. What I found extraordinary about it was the closeness and ability to interact with an animal I've never been able to touch.

There was no sign with this little guys name on it, But he was quite friendly. He came up to the fence to get some love and attention. It was a low wooden rail that served as the fence, so you could get quite close. We nicknamed him Harry. Harry is a Tapir.

Most people don't even know what a Tapir is. I had seen them in zoos before, but knew very little of them. That experience insured that I'll always remember Harry and always be excited when I see them in zoos from now on.

I've had similar cool experiences like this in the past. This just served as a perfect example as to why zoos should not be shunned by the average animal lover or animal rights activist, but endorsed.

Popcorn Park

This is currently someplace I spend a lot of my free time at. This little zoo is amazing.
Popcorn park zoo info

This is a small zoo and animal shelter in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. All animals in the zoo were rescued. The shelter also happens to be one of the nicest I've seen. They have dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and sometimes other small animals such as gerbils and hamsters for adoption.

They also have a share-a-pet program for dogs and cats. They live on the Animal Haven "farm."
The cats have what I can only describe as the nicest "cat room" I've ever seen. Sky lights, stairs, fish tank and a television. I'll add a picture of the cat room soon. The dogs are in kennels, as they are in most shelters, But this kennel has a twist. These kennels have doggie doors to allow the dogs to let themselves out into nice yards.
But heres where this is different then any other shelter asking you for your money to sponsor an animal... You can visit your dog or cat...Play with them, love them.

The dog that's currently in my banner is Darby. She's a share-a-pet dog. Darby is deaf and has neurological issues. Popcorn Park saved her life. Most kennels would have put her to sleep, as she would be a hard dog to find a home. Popcorn park has given her a home for life and given me a wonderful new friend.
On Christmas eve last year, My friend and I decided to start visiting Darby on a weekly basis. Since then we've added several more doggie friends, as well as become friends with a family that also spends their time there. The experience has been amazing.