One featured animal in the show is the Eastern Box Turtle, which is actually “the official state reptile of both North Carolina and Tennessee,” (http://www.boxturtles.com).

Did you know that it is illegal to have a turtle as a pet in Tennessee?

Eastern Box turtles are considered a threatened species (step prior to endangered) and thrive in their natural forest habitat filled with dense leaf cover. “Their territory consists of an area less than 200m in diameter,” (http://www.bio.davidson.edu) but their survival is threatened with urban development. The loss of rich habitat and an increasing number of accidents (hit by cars, trains, lawnmowers etc.) are greatly affecting their lifespan and ultimately their future.

If you find a turtle, what should you do?

Eastern Box Turtles were created with an amazing homing sense. This is especially important if you find a turtle crossing a busy street and want to help. Make sure you pick up the turtle and place him/her across the road in the direction he/she was heading. If you take him/her backwards, he/she will just try to cross the street again. If you just spot a turtle in the wilderness, leave him/her alone. If you find an injured turtle, contact our local wildlife center, Walden’s Puddle,  and record the “EXACT location where it was found so it can be returned there when it has recovered,” (http://www.waldenspuddle.org).

Other fun facts:
They are “The only turtle in Tennessee that can completely close itself in its shell (and very tightly) due to its broad hinged lower shell.” (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org)

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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Read the Full Report: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/states/humane-state-rankings-2013-mt-wy.pdf

A few Highlights: Tennessee Legislation DOES NOT INCLUDE

-“Require state emergency response plans to include pets.” Those of us who remember the 2010 flood know the importance of having a plan in place to help families and their pets when emergencies occur.

Cruelty: TN Does NOT

-“Felony penalty for cockfighting”
-”Place limits on the inhumane chaining of dogs”

Animals in Research: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the use of animals in product testing when an approved alternative exists”
-“Prohibit research facilities from obtaining pets from animal shelters”

Puppy Mills: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the stacking of cages at puppy mills”
-“Prohibit wire flooring at puppy mills Includes a puppy lemon law”
-“Restrict the sale of animals at outdoor sales and/or flea markets Includes a pet store disclosure requirement on the source of animals”
-“Limit the number of breeding dogs confined at puppy mills”

Misc: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit the sale of dog and cat fur”
-“Restrict the consumption of dog and cat meat”
-“Prohibit greyhound racing”

Farm Animals: TN Does NOT

-“Include protections for farm animals”
-“Include protections for downed animals too sick or injured to walk”
-“Include humane slaughter standards”

Wildlife: TN Does NOT

-“No Felony penalty for illegally hunting an endangered species”
-“Prohibit the private possession of primates as pets”

Horse Related: TN Does NOT

-“Prohibit horse tripping, or roping the legs of a galloping horse”
-“Prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption”

Want to get involved? http://straymagnet.com

Engage with HSUS’s Tennessee’s efforts, learn more

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Middle Tennessee is fortunate to have a “professionally-staffed wildlife rehabilitation and education facility in Middle Tennessee” called  Walden’s Puddle. Walden’s Puddle “provides care and treatment to sick, injured and orphaned Native Tennessee Wildlife.” They don’t “charge for services and receive no federal or state funding making donations critical to their success helping “2500 injured and orphaned animals annually.”

Their Chairman/CEO and acclaimed singer songwriter, Lane Brody, noted that 90% of their yearly budget goes directly toward the mission and animals and the majority of people advising and staffing the organization are volunteers, from the board members to those providing animal care. Brody noted “volunteers mean everything” and that they rely heavily on the “generosity of donors.” It is a true testament to the organization and what they do that so many have given so generously of their time, treasures and talents. If interested in supporting them, you can volunteer, donate to the organization by visiting their website, or attend their Fall Fundraiser “Fall Call of the Wild. ”

This year marks Walden Puddle’s Second Annual “Fall Call of the Wild,” scheduled for Thursday, October 25th at 7p.m. The fundraiser will be held at the Sound Kitchen Recording Studio in Franklin Tennessee. Proceeds will directly benefit their mission to care for sick, injured and orphaned animals in Tennessee. The event will feature a fabulous spread by the Bound’ry, wine and cigar bar, a silent auction including local treasures like artwork, jewelry, guitars signed by local stars including George Strait, jewelry and more. It wouldn’t be a the same with out some of Walden’s Puddle’s own Animal Ambassadors, those non-releasable animals that help with education and outreach! Guests might get to see Maverick the red-tailed hawk, Phoenix the kestrel, Carson the screech owl or maybe the opposums Radar or Penny.

There will also be a special premiere viewing of the DVD: “Giving Wildlife a Second Chance, You Can Feel Good About It!” It’s Walden Puddle’s new video created by their Chairman/CEO, Lane Brody, which presents their mission and illustrates Walden’s Puddle’s “service to the community to people and animals.”

Tickets in advance are $45 per person or $80 a couple, $75 at the door. To charge by phone, call Lane Brody at 615-714-4002.
To pay by check, mail to:
Walden’s Puddle, P.O. Box 641 Joelton, TN 37080.
Please include your phone number, e-mail and address to receive a confirmation.

Click here to learn more about Walden’s Puddle
Click here to download the invitation
Click here to view the event flyer

Photo Credits: Brenda Walker Photography
Brenda, a former Walden’s Puddle volunteer, serves as a contact for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department helping transport injured animals to Walden’s Puddle. She used to train dogs in Search work for the deptartment for 15 years. In addition she donates her photography services to help Walden’s Puddle and has taken many animals there to be healed over the years.

Read the stray magnet baby opossum rescue story.

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One morning as he was headed off to work, the kids and I walked him to his car. Looking off into the yard I saw something unusually big on the ground. I asked him to check it out. As the kids and I walked through the gate to the backyard so we could play on the swing set he walked back by to get a shovel. Apparently, our dog Winston had found a opossum the night before and sadly killed it. (Doesn’t he know we are an animal loving family?)

As my husband was disposing of the opossum I noticed he was looking around and I wondered if there were babies. He walked by me and I said “do I want to know?” He said “no”. I assumed there were dead babies but they weren’t. He just assumed they wouldn’t make it because they were so small. He went off to work and I immediately went into rescue mode.

In his efforts to help, he had made it even more difficult to find the babies. He had only seen three but had scattered them outside our yard so the dog couldn’t get to them. In the end, we found seven babies, many of which had gotten buried and tangled beneath our dense ground cover. In fact, I used our dog to flush out the last couple since I couldn’t see or hear them but he could smell them.

I put them in a shoe box with a towel to help keep them warm and then I called Walden’s Puddle. It is a non-profit organization that treats “sick, injured, and legitimately orphaned Native Tennessee Wildlife.” We are so fortunate to have them in Middle Tennessee. Their admissions line is (615) 299-9938. You may have to leave a message but they were quick to respond back to me and I was able to drop off the baby opossums that morning.

They said the babies were actually pretty old and should make it. My 2 and half year old still looks under the deck and asks for the babies? I hid them under the deck in their shoebox for a few hours between when we found them and were able to deliver them to Walden’s Puddle. Don’t worry she never touched them but I did let her look at them in the box. I tell her they are in their new home now whenever she asks.

Over the last few months when my husband has told this story, most people have been shocked that I would or anyone would want to save an opossum and many would have responded the same way he did not thinking that they would have a chance to live without their mother. Opossums are God’s creatures too and deserve to live. Sadly, I see too many on the side of the road but any animal you can help is worth saving. Anyone can save a life!

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