Noah's Ark Revisited
By Allan Heller

Cats are more intelligent than many give them credit for. Years ago, there was a system for teaching them how to use a toilet. So are they capable of learning to drive? Of course not, and that's not the aim of the Topanga, Calif.-based charity. Rather, humans are encouraged to donate their old or unwanted vehicles, the subsequent sale of which will fund room, board and veterinary costs for homeless animals. Cars for Cats handles all of the paperwork, and even arranges free vehicle pick up. Traditional donations of time and money are also accepted. This organization doesn't limit the scope of its adoption outreach to felines, but it probably reasoned that Cars for Cats was a better name than Autos for Animals.

Contact information:
Cars for Cats
P.O. Box 296
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-3606
www.cars4cats.com

Viewing this Web site, one can't help thinking of The Island of Misfit Toys in the 1964 Bass and Rankin Christmas special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Mainly dogs and cats, the animals listed are blind, lame, diabetic or missing limbs. Some are terminally ill. Most people would simply think to put these hapless pets to sleep, but not Heather Gearhart, who maintains the Web site. DPN is not a shelter, only a cyber-presence, where Gearhart posts notices of handicapped pets, usually along with their photographs. Those people who have a disabled pet for whom they cannot care may list the animal via the online form. Be warned: Viewing the listings can be heartbreaking, especially if you're one of those people who visits shelters and wants to take them all home.

Contact information: http://disabledpets.tripod.com

The pet ferret craze that swept the nation several years ago has subsided somewhat, leaving a lot of displaced, furry little polecats. Since its inception in 1987, GCFA has taken in more than 3,000 ferrets in an attempt to place them in good homes. Those who aren't adopted are given permanent refuge at the shelter, and none have ever been turned away or euthanized. To help offset the cost of this all-volunteer charity, GCFA has several annual events, such as the Ferret Circus, Walk-A-Thon and Picnic, and Christmas party. More than just an animal shelter and adoption service, GCFA seeks to educate the public on the joys of ferrets.

Contact information:
Greater Chicago Ferret Association
P.O. Box 7093
Westchester, IL 60154
(708) 442-8650
www.gcfa.com

"We can make an ass out of anyone!" This flippant statement is intended to arouse interest, not ire, in visitors to the Web site. If you wanted to adopt a dog or cat, you wouldn't have to search too many shelters. But a donkey? That being said, you can't just plop down the $400 adoption fee and walk away with a pet donkey. These are special animals with special needs, so Mark and Amy Meyers carefully screen all applicants. Many of the residents of the Agua Dulce, Calif., rescue were previously neglected or abused, but even those donkeys who can't find new homes will always have a place at Peaceful Valley. If you're looking for that special burro, or you need to board the family donkey while you're visiting Aunt Ethel in New York, PVDR can help.

Contact information:
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
P.O. Box 223
Acton, CA 93510
(661) 273-0422
www.donkeyrescue.org

A sanctuary for psittacine1 citizens, this Cascabel, Ariz., shelter has been home to hundreds of exotic avians-parrots, macaws, cockatoos, conures and lovebirds. The Oasis neither sells nor adopts out the birds, but functions as a retirement home for them. Much of this eclectic flock is former breeders, displaced pets, or sick and injured fowl. Birds are not "easy" pets, according to Oasis director Sybil Erden. As a result, many wind up at the Oasis because their owners were overwhelmed with the responsibility. Food, housing and medical expenses for the 400 birds currently at the Oasis exceed $300 per day. Three paid staff members and one volunteer live on the 71-acre property, ensuring that no bird's needs are overlooked. Those who wish to visit may do so by making an appointment, and donations are appreciated.

Contact information:
The Oasis Sanctuary
P.O. Box 30502
Phoenix, AZ 85046-0502
(520) 212-4737
www.the-oasis.org

1Of the parrot family.

Your monthly donation can help a needy pig, rabbit, duck or chicken at PigHoppers, a Whitaker, Mich., shelter mainly for pigs and rabbits. Not exactly an animal UNICEF, PigHoppers also has animals for adoption. Many of the residents narrowly escaped being eaten, or becoming laboratory test subjects. Others were bunnies purchased at Easter and discarded by Christmas, or refugees of the pot-bellied pig craze. Founders Mark and Lake Jacobson work to dispel myths surrounding these creatures-that rabbits require little care, and that pigs are lazy and dirty. (The reason that they roll in mud puddles is because they do not have sweat glands, and need to cool off). Due to an upcoming (human) addition to the Jacobson family, PigHoppers is currently for sale. The founders still want to remain active with the organization, but need someone with the ability and drive to take over.

Contact information:
PigHoppers
P.O. Box 7
Whittaker, MI 48190
(734) 461-1726
http://vegsource.com/pighoppers

Halloween is the only time that most of us give any thought to bats, but the volunteers at Bat World Sanctuary think about them constantly. To founder Amanda Lollar, polishing the bat's tarnished image is almost as important as saving this endangered mammal. Falsely maligned as bloodsuckers and rabid vermin, bats help pollinate many different kinds of flora, and are a major factor in controlling the insect population. Bat World has nine branches, in six different states, and sponsors "Bat World Boot Camp," where interested people learn about the rescue and care of bats. Bat World does not offer the animals for adoption, but focuses on the rehabilitation and release of sick or injured bats. However, Bat World has photographs online of bats you can sponsor for $35. In addition to the boot camp and annual workshops for wildlife professionals, they offer tours.

Contact information:
Bat World Sanctuary
217 North Oak Avenue
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
(940) 325-3404
www.batworld.org

Most people understandably underestimate the problem of homeless llamas in the United States. Julia Clark, office manager for Llama RescueNet, knows of more than 200 of these indigenous South American pack animals awaiting adoption. Her organization works with foster care providers across the country to find good homes for them. Most llamas need some preparation prior to being adopted, and rehabilitation entails correcting inappropriate behavioral traits as well as treating adverse physical conditions. In some respects, it's similar to llama obedience school. Obviously, llamas are not for everyone, and LRN meticulously screens prospective adopters and foster care providers. Adoption fees run about $200 per llama, and help offset the cost of food and veterinary care.

Contact information:
Llama RescueNet
P.O. Box 291
Dexter, OR 97431
(724) 238-2275
http://members.aol.com/RescueNetOffice/lrn.html

An overview of animal rescue organizations would not be complete without one that specializes in the placement of iguanas, the most popular of domestic lizards. When home situations change, pet iguanas are often the first casualty. Taking one to the pound is generally not an option, but Iguana FIRST will pick up your iguana for a $50 donation, or allow you to post an adoption notice for free on its Web site. It also provides detailed information regarding iguanas' care-how to prepare their food, what type of ultra-violet lighting tubes to buy, and how and when to take them outside for a natural dose of vitamin D. You can't simply chain yours to the mailbox and let him snack on dandelions. Although Iguana FIRST focuses its efforts on Virginia and North Carolina, it provides links to organizations in other states.

Contact information:
Iguana FIRST
P.O. Box 1113
Glen Allen, VA 23060
www.iguanafirst.com

GRASP^TM works to secure legal personhood status for "non-human great apes"-chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons and monkeys. Citing a close evolutionary link with humans, GRASP™ equates man's domination of fellow primates to slavery. Together with organizations like the International Primate Protection League, GRASP^TM seeks to end the capture of apes for breeding and exhibition. It doesn't propose freeing all the primates in zoos, but supports relocating them to private sanctuaries, where they can live out the rest of their lives in peace. GRASP^TM takes an active role in the rescue of captive apes, particularly those who have been subjected to medical experimentation. Granting apes legal personhood status would not mean giving them the right to vote or hold office, but would guarantee certain constitutional protections covered under the Fifth, Eighth and 13th Amendments. A controversial issue, but one that is gradually gaining momentum.

Contact information:
Great Ape Standing and Personhood (GRASP^TM)
2321 Tucker Lane
Baltimore, MD 21207
www.personhood.org