Page 7 - The Shores of Jupiter - November '20

The Shores, Page 7
Northern Notes

Please Don’t Feed Wildlife

By Katie Roundtree,
Finance Director, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District
As temperatures in Florida
start to drop in the fall, people
and animals will be outside quantity or types of feed being offered. Wild animals have of diseases that normally occur in low concentrations.
more often in the daylight a complicated diet with specific needs. If people feed them Feeding wildlife is generally discouraged and, in some
hours, creating the potential “treats,” they may not get the correct balance of nutrients to cases, illegal. In Florida, it is illegal to feed gopher tortoises,
for contact and conflicts. keep them healthy. All wild creatures have evolved over the sandhill cranes, bears, raccoons, foxes, manatees and
Throughout the years, The millennia with an instinct to locate and eat a diet best suited alligators. Intentionally placing food or garbage, allowing
Florida Fish and Wildlife to their own digestive systems. Thus, they have a specific the placement of food or garbage, or offering food or
Conservation Commission niche in the wild community where they feed and live in garbage in such a manner that it attracts black bears, foxes,
(FWC) receives many complaints regarding wildlife causing balance with all other species. This balance is interfered raccoons, gopher tortoises or sandhill cranes and thereby
damage to private property or creating a public safety issue. with when well-intentioned people feed what they think is creates a public nuisance is prohibited.
Many complaints are the result of communities where a healthy diet to wildlife. Because people establish an emotional connection with
intentional feeding of wildlife is tolerated or where domestic This practice also inevitably leads to unnatural concentrations wildlife that they feed, these situations often prove difficult to
animals are fed outdoors. of animals, both wild and domestic, looking for a handout. Wild resolve, because they involve changing peoples’ attitudes and
Whenever such conflicts arise, wildlife loses. While the animals are thus conditioned to associate humans with a feeding behaviors. Fortunately, educating individuals how to responsibly
species involved in each of these cases may be different, the opportunity and the results are predictable – animals become a attract wildlife often resolves the problem. Communities
issue is always the same. Concerned and well-intentioned nuisance to property owners. Artificially high concentrations of can pursue a variety of approaches to affect a remedy. In
individuals start feeding wildlife, often without regard for the wildlife found at feeding stations also increase the transmission communities with a homeowner’s association, residents may
apply remedies available to them through the association.
The FWC’s advice to anyone who enjoys wildlife is to
keep it wild! For those who enjoy viewing wildlife, the
safest and most effective way to attract animals is to provide
good wildlife habitat. This is best accomplished through
the use of native vegetation. The FWC has publications
online with information on developing your own backyard
wildlife refuge. For those without Internet service, copies or
more information about planting a backyard refuge may be
obtained by calling or writing your nearest FWC regional
office. (Source: www.myFWC.com)
NPDES Tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using
747-PALM up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen
levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill
747-7256 fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and
algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green –
unattractive for boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly,
pet waste carries diseases which make water unsafe.
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends and not the 45 to 50 they should. We gave them soft beds
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, November 2020 to rest on as their entire body looked skeletal with a thin
layer of fur covering their protruding bones. We offered
“ For the Love of them their first meal in weeks to months.
Animals” features real Their new names are Hope and Truman. Truman means
stories happening at Furry “loyal and faithful man” and he certainly was that, never
Friends in Jupiter. We are leaving his sister’s side. Pat Deshong commented that, “The
The Humane Society of good news is that we got them in time, I can’t imagine, in
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta another week or two they would have probably been dead.
and the only no-kill shelter They’re with Furry Friends, they’re getting the medical help
open to the public in northern they need, they’re safe, they’re getting fed and they will be Nizza came to us after a nice couple Bubba is one of our most handsome dogs
Palm Beach County. We’ve up for adoption in the near future.” Hope and Truman have found her in a car engine. She was and will make a wonderful companion
been rescuing, rehabilitating, a long road ahead of them, but they will receive the love just filthy. Once we examined for the right person. Bubba must be the
and re-homing the homeless and care they crave and deserve. her, we learned that her paw was only animal in the home as he has a
animals in our community When considering adding a furry family member to injured and she had a broken toe. strong prey drive. He can be strong on
Her injuries are healed and is now the leash when his instincts kick in so he
for more than 30 years. your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW looking for her forever family. She is not suited for neighborhood walks in
Our not for profit 501c3 Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 is a petite girl that has a fun and a busy community with other pets going
organization consists of our Jupiter based adoption center, Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE sassy personality. by. Therefore, this big fella would love
veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift store, and Palm CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER a home with a fenced yard with lots of
space to run and enjoy. Then after a
City Ranch. LOCATION DUE TO COVID19. good stretch outside he is happy to assist
Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all you in watching your favorite show or
for the LOVE of animals! reading your new book.

Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
Patricia Deshong, President 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
Proud Nonprofits First 2020 Hats Off 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
“Nonprofit Executive Of The Year” and ext. 3
“Nonprofit of the Year” Nominee “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
At Furry Friends, they never know what the day will happen for our Furry Friends”
bring, or what will come through the doors, but they are
always ready to help. One day in mid-October, President
Pat Deshong received a text she would not soon forget. As
she opened her messages, she was horrified at the images
of two emaciated dogs and immediately agreed to help. She
learned that an employee at a WalMart in St. Lucie County
had witnessed two sweet and incredibly neglected puppies
being abandoned near the dumpster. They immediately
called the local Animal Control, who in turn reached out
to one of our amazing rescue partners. After seeing the
extensive medical care the pair would need, she called Furry
Friends who transported them to our Jupiter facility. They
were too weak to stand and walk on their own, so we carried
them inside. The dark, brindled male laid his head on the
shoulder of one of our animal caretakers as if to show his
gratitude for being saved. They weighed 20 and 21 pounds Paid Advertisement