It started when Jen Rutherford borrowed a trap to catch her bantam, Brownie. By Jen Rutherford
IT ALL started when I couldn't catch my little brown bantam, Brownie, to bring her to the house we and the other chooks and ducks had moved to.
Brownie lived on her wits for a week and a half with no protection from predators while we tried everything to catch her. My daughter Steph and I scoured the property for her each evening. We discovered her perched high up in a spindly native frangipani. So clever; because the trunk was so thin there was no way a fox or cat could gain traction with their claws to climb up it. I used a ladder to reach her but when i went to grab her she flew down, nearly over the fence with the ferocious dogs next door!
IT ALL started when I couldn't catch my little brown bantam, Brownie, to bring her to the house we and the other chooks and ducks had moved to.
Brownie lived on her wits for a week and a half with no protection from predators while we tried everything to catch her. My daughter Steph and I scoured the property for her each evening. We discovered her perched high up in a spindly native frangipani. So clever; because the trunk was so thin there was no way a fox or cat could gain traction with their claws to climb up it. I used a ladder to reach her but when i went to grab her she flew down, nearly over the fence with the ferocious dogs next door!
Maybe I could catch her with a trap? I posted to our good community on Facebook for the loan of a humane animal trap. Someone suggested One at a time Pet Rescue in Lang Lang. Michelle, the manager, answered, 'sure thing' to my request.
She wasn't there when I arrived but a volunteer met me with the cage and I could see many different kinds of animals that had landed on their feet and into the safe and loving arms of some very caring humans.
I took the trap home. Actually we hadn't seen hide or feather of Brownie for a few days and I suspected she was already a goner. The second morning who should be sitting inside tha trap but Brownie! I carried her home and put her in the chicken coop. She got straight into the nesting box and we didn't see her for the entire day.
I cleaned up the trap to take back, picking up a box of cakes from the Lang Lang Bakery on the way. A volunteer greeted me warmly. She said she’d adopted a cat and she was so grateful for the love and care with which the animals were housed that she now worked there two days a week.
Soon afterwards, Michelle arrived from having some cats desexed at the local vet. It was a powerful introduction to one of the world's heroes. Her home is a haven for uncared for animals. I wondered where was the time and space for her?
When I asked her what she needed she said “Some fencing repair and a new cat enclosure”. I said I would gather some handy folk to help. I actually planned to come back and do a bit more of an interview with Michelle but she’s a hard woman to catch.
Me: “Hi Michelle, is Friday still OK for me to come and visit?”
Michelle: “No, I'm so sorry I'm at the vet. Next Friday?”
Next Thursday: Me: “Hi Michelle, How are you? Is tomorrow still OK for a vist?
Michelle: “Sorry, Jen, a grandma has died in Leongatha and I need to go over and collect her six cats.”
So I thought I'd go with my impressions from two short visits and try get some maintenance done and make all their lives a bit easier. If you’re handy or have some materials you can donate, I’d love some help.
One at a time Pet Rescue (Lang Lang) working bee, Sunday November 10 from 9 am. Morning tea and lunch provided. RSVP on 0438 682 597 or email [email protected] if you can lend a hand or want to volunteer your time for this amazing organisation.
She wasn't there when I arrived but a volunteer met me with the cage and I could see many different kinds of animals that had landed on their feet and into the safe and loving arms of some very caring humans.
I took the trap home. Actually we hadn't seen hide or feather of Brownie for a few days and I suspected she was already a goner. The second morning who should be sitting inside tha trap but Brownie! I carried her home and put her in the chicken coop. She got straight into the nesting box and we didn't see her for the entire day.
I cleaned up the trap to take back, picking up a box of cakes from the Lang Lang Bakery on the way. A volunteer greeted me warmly. She said she’d adopted a cat and she was so grateful for the love and care with which the animals were housed that she now worked there two days a week.
Soon afterwards, Michelle arrived from having some cats desexed at the local vet. It was a powerful introduction to one of the world's heroes. Her home is a haven for uncared for animals. I wondered where was the time and space for her?
When I asked her what she needed she said “Some fencing repair and a new cat enclosure”. I said I would gather some handy folk to help. I actually planned to come back and do a bit more of an interview with Michelle but she’s a hard woman to catch.
Me: “Hi Michelle, is Friday still OK for me to come and visit?”
Michelle: “No, I'm so sorry I'm at the vet. Next Friday?”
Next Thursday: Me: “Hi Michelle, How are you? Is tomorrow still OK for a vist?
Michelle: “Sorry, Jen, a grandma has died in Leongatha and I need to go over and collect her six cats.”
So I thought I'd go with my impressions from two short visits and try get some maintenance done and make all their lives a bit easier. If you’re handy or have some materials you can donate, I’d love some help.
One at a time Pet Rescue (Lang Lang) working bee, Sunday November 10 from 9 am. Morning tea and lunch provided. RSVP on 0438 682 597 or email [email protected] if you can lend a hand or want to volunteer your time for this amazing organisation.