.
Spring is just around the corner. Soon our crape myrtles and azaleas will be in full bloom; and baby animals will be born. During spring wildlife rehabilitation places like the Owls Nest
are inundated with babies. While some of these babies are injured there are many that are picked up and taken to a facility prematurely. They have been removed unnecessarily
from their parents and are now taking up room at rehabilitation centers where the sick animals should be the top priority.
Many times, a baby is left while the mother searches for food. Deer, for example, may leave
their babies in the strangest place, even next to your front door. The mother is usually
close enough to nurse a few times during the day without bringing attention to predators. She will be back at night so if the fawn is laying calmly leave them alone. The mother
doesn’t like the smell of humans on her baby but will not abandon their offspring if they smell like humans. Unless the baby is crying or lying on its side, leave it alone.
When is it a good time to bring a baby or any animal to a licensed rehabilitation center?
: you see the mother is dead
: the animal is shivering
: a cat or dog brings you the animal
: the animal is crying and wandering
: animal shows signs of injury; broken limbs, bleeding, asymmetry in the eyes, limbs or wings
Baby birds that are handled by people will not be rejected by their parents. This is what we have all been told but it isn’t true. If you can put a featherless baby back into the nest,
then do it. If you can’t reach the nest, then get a wicker basket and hang it on a branch you
can reach. The basket should not be too deep, or the parents won’t jump in with the babies. Fledglings are babies that have all their body feathers but not fully developed tail feathers. Birds learn to fly from the ground up. Fledglings hopping around are preparing for flight. Their parents are watching so don’t remove the babies. However, please remove all cats and dogs. Our domestic animals do not mesh well with our wildlife.
Opossums carry their babies in their pouch until they are about 7 inches long then they are considered adults. If you find a very small opossum by itself, then chances are good
the mother has died. In this case, take the baby to the nearest rehabilitation center.
Licensed rehabilitation centers only take native wildlife animals. Muscovy ducks, although wild animals, are not native to Florida and will likely be turned away. Chickens are
domesticated animals and will also be turned away.
Our Keystone community is lucky to have our own licensed wildlife rehabilitation center: Owls Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife
You may drop off wildlife from 9-6 at 18707 Rustic Woods Trail. 813-598-5926 Texting is easier for them to respond. Email for more information about their facility or inquiring about donating, not for rehabilitation. Owlsnestsanctuarywildlife@gmail.com
If you are in a place where you are not near a wildlife rehabilitation center and you are in the Tampa Bay area. Contact the Southwest region of the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC). Allie McCue, Regional Director 863-648-3200
Please know it is illegal to keep a wild animal. You may transport the animal to a wildlife facility, but you are not to treat or care for the animal yourself. Many people have very
good intentions but feeding bread is not what any animal needs. Much of the information for this article was obtained from the website. Humane World for Animals. There is so much more
information to read about. Thanks for reading and enjoy watching the spring babies. Please visit their website:
JANAURY MEETING UPDATE:
BYLAWS - PASSED and GRANTS RECEIVED
AMENDMENT 1: ARTICLE I - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & MEETINGS
Section 1. Membership shall be individual, family or business. A voting member must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have her or his primary physical address (personal or business) located within the Keystone boundaries. The KOCP boundaries will serve as KCA membership boundaries. An individual membership shall have one (1) vote, a family membership shall have (2) votes, and a business membership shall have (1) vote.
AMENDMENT 2: ARTICLE I - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & MEETINGS
Section 3. Dues are payable on an annual basis. The amount of the dues shall be established by the Board with the approval of the general membership.
AMENDMENT 3: ARTICLE II - OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Governing Board (referred to as the Board or Board of Directors) shall consist of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer and up to nine (9) directors. There must be a minimum of 5 directors (referred to as the Board or Board of Directors) present in order to conduct any business that requires a vote. The immediate past President following his/her term of office shall fill the position of ex-officio, with voting privileges, for a term of one (1) year. In the event the current President succeeds to another term, the past President may serve as a Director for an additional year.
AMENDMENT 4: ARTICLE III - MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
Section 3. A Quorum of the board must be present in order to conduct any business that requires a vote. (A Quorum is calculated by counting half of the members present plus one). There must be a minimum of 5 directors (referred to as the Board or Board of
Directors) present in order to conduct any business that requires a vote. Virtual/Electronic meetings are allowed.
MEMBERS - YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO OUR BYLAWS ON THE KCA WEBSITE:
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JANUARY RECIPIENTS
OF $500 GRANTS!
Lady Bug Sanctuary and American Legion
Feel free to nominate someone! Here's a link to the form: https://www.keystonecivic.org/communitygrants
Thursday, February 27 General Membership Meeting 6:30 Social / 7:00 Start
Saturday, March 1 Board of Directors nominations due Click to go to form
Thursday, March 27 General Membership Meeting 6:30 Social / 7:00 Start
2025 Elections
Thursday, April 24 General Membership Meeting 6:30 Social / 7:00 Start
Saturday, April 26 SPRING FLING at Keystone Park 10am -2 pm
REGISTER TO BE AN EXHIBITOR or VOLUNTEER!
We are lining up our sponsorships to start April 2025 - please reach out if you are interested to find out more how we can highlight your business to our members and the Keystone community! Thank you in advance for the support! kcapresident@keystonecivic.org
Looking for an adult or student volunteer to help create our
newsletter and website - Know of someone? Send us a shout at info@keystonecivic.org
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