Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Old opossum gets a cat bed of his own - Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

A woman called us stating there’s a big, possibly sick opossum in her outdoor cat bed. She was frightened so she wanted me to remove him. I arrived at her house and sure enough there is a big, old opossum curled up in a ball in her comfy cat bed. He was very big yet thin which means he’s an old man opossum nearing the end of his life. Sadly they only live about three years and he was definitely already three.

I picked him up and he didn’t even struggle. I put him into a crate to bring him back to our wildlife rehabilitation facility and sanctuary. Here he is in the crate after the ride home. He never snarled, growled or snapped at me ever.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

I wiped him down, put flea meds on him then gave him some wormer medication. When I examined him he was clearly a male but he seemed to have lost his testicles in an accident a while ago. It was probably the infamous opossum stuck on a fence accident. If you Google it, it’s kinda graphic. I put him in an outdoor enclosure and he took a look around. Even though he was thin and underweight he still weighed 18 lbs. Opossums continue to grow larger and larger until they die.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

Here he is yawning. He ground down most of his teeth and lost most of the rest. His canines are really worn down. He’s clearly super old.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

Here he is a day or two later when I was able to wipe him down better. He’s cleaner but still needs to gain some weight. He was very weak in the rear. With other un-releasable opossums we have them on exercise wheels so they don’t get weak in the rear until much later. This guy was beyond that.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

Because he was so old we decided to let him live out the rest of his life in our sanctuary. We even gave him a cat bed of his own. I threw a towel over it so I wouldn’t have to clean the bed as much. Here he is happily sleeping in his own comfy cat bed in his nest box in his outdoor enclosure.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

He lived two more months with us. We found him curled up in his bed just like the photo above. He was able to pass away in a warm, safe place with good food and care in a cat bed of his own. Below is a pic of his paw in my hand.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us

If you liked this rescue story, we’d love a donation to help other ill, injured and orphaned wildlife in Los Angeles, California. We rescue coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, moles, voles, gophers....and bats. We’re the only permitted facility in the City of Los Angeles. Link to our website and PayPal account. Thanks! http://www.animaladvocates.us

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

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Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate Services has been in real estate since 1983, over 35 years. She is licensed by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers. Mary Cummins was an agent and broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate selling residential income, commercial buildings, raw land and homes for Merrill Lynch Realty in Beverly Hills and Westside Properties in Los Angeles before concentrating on appraisals. Mary Cummins currently provides real estate appraisals, expert witness testimony, historical research, legal real estate research for mortgage brokers, banks, lawyers, factors, insurance companies, financial consultants and private individuals. Mary Cummins was born and raised in Southern California. Cummins attended Beverly Hills Good Shepherd Catholic School and Beverly Hills High School. Besides being on the Dean's list, Mary Cummins was a top ten national swimmer and competed on the men's water polo team. Mary Cummins began college at the age of 15 attending the University of Southern California on scholarship, majoring in Psychology/Sociology. http://www.animaladvocates.us http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Los Angeles County increases dog limit from three to four - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors increases dog limit from three to four, janice hahn, kathryn barger, sheila kuehl, mark ridley-thomas, hilda solis, mary cummins, animals, motion, approved, lift limit, increase number of dogs

Yesterday the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to increase the dog limit per household from three to four. San Diego and San Bernardino also provide a similar four-dog ordinance. Here is the motion. Text of the motion is below. This affects all people living in unincorporated cities in Los Angeles County. Those who want to have four or more dogs must be licensed as an animal facility, such as a groomer, kennel or pet shop. The permit application can be found at Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.

The City of Los Angeles which in the physical county of Los Angeles is an incorporated City so the limit is still three. Here is the list of unincorporated cities in LA County. Here is a list of the incorporated cities in LA County.
Animal Advocates sent the County's motion to all Los Angeles City Council members to ask them to make and/or second the same motion for the City.

AGN. NO.

MOTION BY SUPERVISORS HILDA L. SOLIS

AND KATHRYN BARGER July 11, 2017

Increasing County Dog Limit

Currently the County of Los Angeles has a three dog limit for households in unincorporated areas. In order to have four dogs or more one must be licensed as an animal facility, most commonly used for groomers, kennels or pet shops. Responsible pet owners who properly register their pets and abide by the residential dog limit are restricted from the opportunity to adopt an additional pet. With so many dogs available in Los Angeles County shelters, individuals who wish to add to their family by adopting an additional dog should be given the opportunity. Other counties in the State also provide a similar four-dog ordinance including San Diego County and San Bernardino County. This partnership between our Animal Care facilities and engaged community members is vital to our ability to care for the animals in the County, and this is a step to further that relationship.

WE, THEREFORE MOVE that the Board direct the County Counsel and the Director of Animal Care and Control to prepare a draft ordinance that amends Los Angeles County Code Section 10.20.038 to increase the number of dogs allowed in a single family residence without requiring an animal facility license from three to four.

# # #

SUP:HLS/mm

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Animal Activist, Writer, Singer, Producer Bill Dyer passes away at 83 in Los Angeles, California

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, was born March 21, 1934 in San Diego County, California, USA. He passed away today, July 11, 2017 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was 83.

Bill's parents were Andrew Dewitt Dyer (1896 - 1991) and Lucille Ameijeiras Dyer (1910 - 1991). He had a sister Grace Elizabeth Dyer Bower (1933 - 2015). He is predeceased by his parents, sister, brother in law. He is survived by thousands of friends.

Bill was an actor, singer, writer, lyricist and producer in New York and California. He was also an animal activist for In Defense of Animals. He attended Grossmont High School, Helix High School and San Diego State University all in California. He received three Emmy nominations for "Diana Ross, The Big Event" and "Ziegfeld, The Man and his Woman." He wrote two plays "The Fellowship" and "All This, and Heaven Too (Trolls)." He produced the plays "The Suicide" on Broadway and "Get Happy" at the Westwood Playhouse. He also produced movies of the week, television series Diana Ross specials, Mitzi Gaynor specials, The Tony Awards, The Family Holvak, The Greatest Gift, Dorothy, Many Miles to Morning, Columbo, Mac Davis and John Denver. He produced concerts for Melissa Manchester, Ben Vereen, Lorna Luft, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor and Pamela Myers.

Here's a great video of his life. First time I've seen it.

Bill Dyer became an Animal Activist in 1980. I spoke with him at animal services commission meetings, zoo commission meetings, Los Angeles City Council, public safety, Beverly Hills City Council, press conferences about Fur Free WeHo, the senseless killing of the young mountain lion in Santa Monica... Bill was everywhere helping cats, dogs, ground squirrels, bunnies, elephants, mountain lions, circus animals, zoo animals, animals for consumption, Kapparot... I remember my first Kapparot protest in 2006. He said he did that for years and they kept killing the chickens so he gave up. I tried for a few years as well then I got burned out. Finally a Jewish Rabbi and a few other groups got together and now fewer Temples are killing chickens in the LA. Progress. Maybe by the time I die they won't be killing chickens for Kapparot.

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Another great video.

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Friday, June 30, 2017

Crow rescue - fledgling crows are not baby, babies, orphaned, injured. - Animal Advocates, Los Angeles California

baby crow, nestling, fledgling, injured, orphaned, crow, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, mary cummins, animal advocates, los angeles, california, nestling photo credit wild care wildlife rehabilitation

We don't rescue crows as we only rescue native wildlife mammals. We have permits for all native small mammals coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, gophers, rats, mice, voles, moles ... all the way down to bats. This information is for educational purposes so we can just send someone a link instead of writing an individual response. During crow fledgling season we get 20 emails a day and ten calls.

Here in Southern California it's fledgling crow season from about June to July. Crows like most birds need to fledge on the ground from three to seven days to build their strength to fly. During that time they will hop around and fly maybe a few feet up in the air. Eventually they will be able to fly higher and higher and finally fly to a tree. Their parents and sometimes their entire family will be near protecting them. Parents will continue to feed them while they are on the ground. Eventually mom and dad will refuse to feed so the baby will find food on his own and eat it on his own.

Below is video of a fledgling crow. Notice the blue eyes. Adults have dark brown eyes. Notice the pink, red mouth when he gapes. Adults have black mouths. Listen to the call. It's very distinct from an adult crow call.

Now this is a baby crow, a nestling. Nestlings don't have all their feathers. They should be in the nest only at this stage. A young baby crow, only a few days old. Photo by Melanie Piazza at Wild Care. If you find this on the ground and can't get it back into its nest, call a wildlife rehabilitator to take it. Their nests are generally pretty high and impossible to re-nest.

baby crow, nestling, fledgling, injured, orphaned, crow, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, wildcare, california

Here is an adult crow. Dark eyes, all feathers, dark mouth (you can't really tell here).

baby crow, nestling, fledgling, injured, orphaned, crow, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, mary cummins, animal advocates, los angeles, california

Below is a parent crow feeding her fledgling babies.

Now if you see a crow with one wing hanging lower than the other, unable to stand, blood, bone sticking out, obvious injury, contact a rehabber at the links below. If you do pick up a fallen nestling or injured crow, the family, parents, mate may swoop your head. They are just protecting their family member. You will hear the family screeching at you generally before they swoop. Protect your head with a hat. Place the bird in a pet crate with newspaper on the bottom. Put a towel over the crate to keep it dark. Place the crate in a quiet, darken place away from other animals and humans while you find a rehabber. Thanks so much for caring about crows and wildlife!

In SoCal try California Wildlife Center. In NoCal try Wild Care. Here is a list for other wildlife rehabilitators in the US and the world by country, state, county and city.

http://www.mary.cc/How%20To%20Locate%20a%20Wildlife%20Rehabilitator.html

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Monday, June 19, 2017

Fox puppies offered for sale on Craigslist are now in a sanctuary thanks to Fish & Wildlife! - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

illegal animal sales on craigslist, fox, foxes, mary cummins, animal advocates, los angeles, california, pups, for sale, illegal, breed, dealer, seller, wildlife, rescue, animaladvocates.us, warden, fish & wildlife, fish and game, california

We generally skim the animals for sale on Craigslist checking for illegal exotic and wildlife sales. If you want to own an exotic animal or wildlife, you need special permits from Fish & Wildlife. They can only be used for educational purposes. You need at least two years of experience handling the animals under someone else's permits first. You then have to go through a long and expensive process to get your exhibiting permits. Because this is all a huge hassle and the desire to own a unique animal is high, people buy them on the black Craigslist market without permits.

Back in May 2017 I saw fox pups offered for sale on craigslist. Above is the ad. I reported it to the appropriate warden then I flagged the ad and it was removed. Two days later and the seller reposted the ad. Two women forward the ad to me. I forwarded that to the warden. These two animal loving people wanted to stop the sale and get the fox puppies to a sanctuary. Among all of us, I won't say how, we managed to drag the selling process out long enough for the warden to take the puppy/puppies from the illegal vendor. The vendor is a young guy living here in Los Angeles. We were able to track him down through identifying markers he left in communications.

The warden went on vacation so I hadn't heard what happened to the fox pups. Earlier today a volunteer with The Nature of Wildworks posted pics of herself holding the puppy on Facebook. One fox pup now named Michael J Fox aka Mikey is now at Molly Hogan's The Nature of Wildworks. I'm so happy the fox pup ended up in good hands. As for the vendor I don't know what actions Fish & Wildlife took against him. There are still penalties for selling wildlife or exotics without proper permits. Below are some pics of the fox pups the vendor sent to us.

Article continues below.

Below is a pic of the fox today. He's a little bigger.

This pet fox craze was started by a March 2011 National Geographic magazine article titled. "Designing the Perfect Pet." It was about research done by Russian scientists to find out how we domesticated wolves. They experimented on foxes. They would test the foxes for tameness. They would only breed the tamest of the foxes. The wild foxes were sold to fox fur farms. This continued for a few generations. Ultimately the foxes were as tame as dogs. They could be a house pet. They also noticed changes in the fox. Their ears drooped a little. They had different coloring.

More great follow up news! This is from The Nature of Wildworks email.

“Meet Mikey ( short for Michael J ! ), our new 9-week-old red fox pup.

The Nature of Wildworks, fox

Excuse me. Did you say Red Fox? He doesn't look red, does he? And he's not going to turn red later. Red foxes come in different colors like red, brown, black, and silver but they all have one thing in common-- a white tip on the end of their tail. Well, maybe more than one thing. As puppies, or "kits" as they are also called, they are about as cute as it gets and as adults they're absolutely beautiful.

The Nature of Wildworks, fox

And apparently a fox is a fox is a fox. When red foxes first meet, even though they weren't raised together and have never seen each other before, they literally almost die of excitement overload, fluffy white-tipped tails wagging in a blur and making their fox happiness noise, which I can't even pretend to describe. This is exactly what happened when Mikey fox met Fire fox.

The Nature of Wildworks, fox

Fire is our sweet adult female red fox and she loves everyone. Every person, every animal. I always say she has no appropriate relationships because when walked on a leash she rolls over on her back wagging her tail and whining in front of the mountain lion cage. "Come play with me, Pirate." Not a good idea, Fire. Fire loves Australian Shepherds and was raised by our Aussie dog Hopi. When Hopi passed away Fire moved on to love again with Aussie dog, Star, as her new playmate.

How did we get Mikey? Where did he come from? The foxes were in Sacramento but we met halfway in Bakersfield and there I got the whole crazy backstory. The following is from the Animal Advocates Blog, (Mary Cummings, who initially reported the ad. mmmaryinla@aol.com)

"We generally skim the animals for sale on Craigslist checking for illegal exotic and wildlife sales. If you want to own an exotic animal or wildlife, you need special permits from Fish & Wildlife. They can only be used for educational purposes. You need at least two years of experience handling the animals under someone else's permits first. You then have to go through a long and expensive process to get your exhibiting permits. Because this is all a huge hassle and the desire to own a unique animal is high, people buy them on the black Craigslist market without permits.

Back in May 2017 I saw fox pups offered for sale on craigslist. Above is the ad. I reported it to the appropriate warden then I flagged the ad and it was removed. Two days later and the seller re-posted the ad. Two women forward the ad to me. I forwarded that to the warden. These two animal loving people wanted to stop the sale and get the fox puppies to a sanctuary. Among all of us, I won't say how, we managed to drag the selling process out long enough for the warden to take the puppy/puppies from the illegal vendor. The vendor is a young guy living here in Los Angeles. We were able to track him down through identifying markers he left in communications.

The warden went on vacation so I hadn't heard what happened to the fox pups. Earlier today a volunteer with The Nature of Wildworks posted pics of herself holding the puppy on Facebook. One fox pup now named Michael J Fox aka Mikey is now at Molly Hogan's The Nature of Wildworks. I'm so happy the fox pup ended up in good hands. As for the vendor I don't know what actions Fish & Wildlife took against him. There are still penalties for selling wildlife or exotics without proper permits."

Well, it was a normal day at the wildlife center for me. Just minding my own business answering one rescue call after another, usually regarding an orphaned or injured squirrel or opossum, when a call from Fish and Wildlife came in. "We have a litter of foxes. Can you take one?" Yes! One of them was particularly friendly and I said, "Then he's the one for us. He'll be a perfect education animal for our outreach programs."

Mikey slept in his carrier the entire way home and who could blame him. But nothing like a red fox mom substitute to make you sit up in bed. Upon first sighting the tail wagging and whining began and hasn't stopped since. The first day it was pretty cute because Fire has a swing which is her favorite spot in the enclosure. In her old age she now spends much of the day napping and relaxing on her personal hammock and Mikey , uncoordinated puppy that he is, couldn't quite figure out how to get up there with her. It was making him crazy. But on the second day he had devised a plan and could walk from the shelf along the midline metal bar of the enclosure and then "jump". Fire growls a little at this invasion of her private island but she's an understanding mom and Mikey has now won his place at the top.

I was right, by the way, when I guessed he would be good at outreach. His first program was last Saturday at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles where he wowed everyone posing (and napping on stage) as a modern day dire wolf. We're happy in every way to have him with us. Right now...and for a lifetime.

If you'd like to meet Mikey up close and personal you can enjoy a private tour of the wildlife center, sign up for our on-site class "Clicker training with a fox" or schedule your own personal outreach educational program.

To sponsor Mikey please visit: Sponsor Mikey!

To learn more visit www.natureofwildworks.org

(Photo credits to Terry Matkins and Lorie Zerweck)”

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Friday, June 30, 2017

Monday, June 19, 2017