News
How One Kitten Helped Inspire a Refuge for Animals
January 28, 2008, 5:55AM MT
By Jennifer S Hayes
Support Oasis Sanctuary in their efforts to provide shelter for homeless animals.
Support Oasis Sanctuary in their efforts to provide shelter for homeless animals.
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff
Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, approximately 2 ½ hours from New York City, lies a very special place. The Oasis Sanctuary has been a safe haven for hundreds of animals. After years of helping pets and farm animals, now they could use your assistance.
(Casper, available for adoption at Oasis, would much rather snooze on your lap than the floor.)
Sanctuary Founder and Brooklyn native, Eddie Lama originally had no interest in animals whatsoever. However, after pet sitting a friend’s kitten named Habibi, an unknown passion for animals was awakened. Not only did he become a vegetarian, but he began attending various rallies and demonstrations on behalf of animals. As he learned more, he decided to share his new found knowledge with others. He launched FaunaVision, an innovative method of communication. Utilizing a van equipped with monitors, a scrolling marquee, and speaker system, he literally takes his message of compassion for animals to the streets of New York City. He stages a multi-media presentation to bring animal welfare issues to the forefront and informs the public about the cruelty of animal exploitation.
(Let Glenwood walk right into your life, just like he did Lama’s home.)
For his work on behalf of animals, Lama was featured in the documentary, The Witness. The film profiles his transformation from someone who was silently aware of abuse to an advocate who became a voice for animals. Lama has also been the recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award, given by The Peace Abbey Multi-Faith Retreat Center to “promote the causes of peace and justice, non-violence and love.” He joined the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa as other past honorees.
It is through FaunaVision, that Lama and his friend Eddie Rizzo established the Oasis Sanctuary in December 1998. The 60 acre former dairy farm is now a place of safety for many homeless animals that had experienced abandonment or neglect. Now the organization houses approximately 225 animals, including cats, dogs, geese, goats, turkeys, and even some pigeons.
Making a difference:
Under the guidance of Rescue Coordinator, Tammy Heeber, the Sanctuary is now receiving a facelift for its soon-to-be 10 year anniversary. Already a Best Friends Ambassador, Team Leader for the both the Connecticut and Rhode Island communities, and former volunteer for the rescue effort at Pets Alive, Heeber has now joined the effort to assist Oasis.
(“Come to me,” implore Tutu’s eyes, hoping to enchant you to fall in love.)
She has been making the 3 ½ hour drive to Oasis every weekend since mid-December to help. Her core volunteer group includes other fellow Pets Alive graduates Becky Tegze DeGiovanni, Debbie Vermuelen, Wendy Gavis, and Frannie D’Annunzio; however, there are many others who came out a few weeks ago for a huge cat room overhaul. While the lead photo shows everyone enjoying a vegetarian pizza party, in reality they all got down to business and seriously worked for a full weekend. They carpeted poles and ramps, replaced the door between cat rooms, and most of all, put in a Herculean cleaning effort. “Their dedication is mind boggling. I am humbled by their dedication to the animals,” says Heeber. Of course everyone had to take an occasional snuggle break, but overall, truly made a difference.
In fact, the kitties enjoyed the company so much; they want more folks to come out regularly. While there is plenty of cleaning to be done, some of the shy kitties would really benefit from some extra attention. Just a little socialization may be all that is necessary to transform a wallflower into a love bug. Heeber states, “We would welcome anyone, any day. There are so many great cats that just need someone one to love them.”
(Frannie D'Annunzio and Toni O'Brien, veterinary technicians who had volunteered to do feline health assessments)
Needing Homes:
Something truly beautiful about Oasis is that despite the number of animals, Lama still knows each by name. “He greets them, like they’re a long lost buddy,” comments Heeber. “To Eddie, they’re not just cats; they are personalities with souls attached to them.” Here are only a few of the many fabulous felines who would love to join your family.
Andy was originally found by Lama on the lower East side in New York City. He suffered from open wounds and had lost an eye from a tough life on the streets, but was quickly taken to the “Angel of Critters,” Dr. Andy Kaplan. Once treated, Andy was given the honor of being named after the veterinarian and has lived at Oasis for the past seven years. Lama says, “He’s very charismatic” and his fabulous personality has made him a mascot for the Sanctuary. He loves to be held and gets along well with his other feline friends.
Casper is another lucky rescue. While crossing a road, Casper was within a whisker of being run down by a speeding car. Lama witnessed his close call and scooped the fortunate feline up. This very handsome boy was adopted to a family with a black cat named Halloween. Continuing the theme, they named their new white cat, Casper. While the two felines became buddies, the friendly ghost was “spooked by dogs” so ended back up at Oasis. Casper requests that his next home be off limits to canines.
Eric displays a slight head tilt, as though he is carefully considering what you have just said. This gray and white tabby charmer is a big boy, named after the former Outreach Coordinator for Oasis, Eric Weiss. He is not only affectionate and friendly with the people he meets, but gets along well with the other Sanctuary cats.
Glenwood, named after Glenwood Road in Brooklyn, is a relative newcomer to Oasis, only having been rescued about three months ago. He appeared on Lama’s porch one day and casually strolled into the house. It is no surprise that as a stray he was not neutered. He is now fixed, but still displays the wide jowls of a tomcat. However, his life on the streets has left him with FIV, though he appears to be the very picture of health and can have many happy years ahead.
Negrito was found at the intersection of 33rd and 3rd streets in New York, in a Brooklyn Latino neighborhood. His formal name is actually Negrito Lindo, meaning Beautiful Blacky. Please do not let those intense eyes and crumpled ear fool you, he real charmer. Still a youngster at only three years of age, he is very playful and sweet.
Tutu has exquisite eyes that draw you in. It is easy to get hooked on such a big, sweet, gray tabby boy. He is very curious and playful, but that does not take away from the time he enjoys spending on laps. If you are looking for an “all-around great cat,” he is your man.
A link to the other Oasis animals will soon be available on Petfinder.
***Stay tuned for more information on an Oasis Sanctuary February adoption event in New York.***
Wish List:
• Clumping cat litter
• Walmart gift cards to purchase clumping cat litter
• Volunteers
• 9Lives® brand canned cat food
• Leashes for 40+ pound dogs
• Blank metal ID tags
• Metal food bowls
• Grooming supplies for both cats and dogs
• Rechargeable flashlights
• Portable electric heaters
• Pine and cedar wood chips
• Cracked corn and turkey pellets (for the Oasis birds)
• Pig feed pellets
How you can help:
Please help be a part of this volunteer effort to make a difference for these deserving animals.
• Volunteer Cat Caregivers are needed on weekends at the Sanctuary. There is a house available on the grounds for “free indoor camping.” Bring a sleeping bag and join the party. Amenities include heat, running water and now a microwave, television, and VCR. A shower is lacking, but that is more than made up with the camaraderie between the dedicated volunteers.
• Homes are needed for the many adoptable animals. Transfers are also welcome to other no-kill shelter and rescue organizations.
• Additional venues are needed for large adoption events in the New York City, Northern New Jersey, or other central locations to try to find homes for these loving pets. Space would be needed for approximately 15 cats, a few dogs, a meet-and-greet area, and several tables. Once planned, volunteers will be needed to help at the event and for home checks.
• Volunteer groomers are needed to help get the cats and dogs looking their best for future adoption events.
For more information:
• Contact Tammy Heeber at 860-543-4213 or tammyh@bestfriends.org if you are interested in volunteering, adopting, donating, or can help in any way. All assistance is much appreciated.
Oasis Sanctuary
130 Dyker Road
North Branch, New York 12766
Photo credit: photos taken by Tammy Heeber and Becky Tegze DeGiovanni.