Why We Should Help Wildlife

Why should we help wildlife?

In every day life we see raccoons, deer, opossums and foxes.  We aren’t paying attention and they die by getting hit by cars or eating poison or something that is bad for them. Every species of organisms has an important role in the Earth.

Raccoons help by maintaining healthy populations and distributing seeds.  Coyotes are important because they keep deer, rodent and rabbit populations down. Opossums benefit ecosystems because they eat ticks, rats, mice and cockroaches, which is really helpful. They are also scavengers so they clean up road-kill. Foxes protect gardens from pests that can cause damage like insects, rodents and rabbits. Deer are very important because they are predators and prey. They are called a “keystone specie” because their feeding activity can directly and indirectly affect many plants and animals in an ecosystem. 

These animals are all important to the ecosystem whether it is as a predator, prey, decomposer or a scavenger.  People are at the top of the ecosystem, so we must protect the ecosystem. That is why we should help wildlife.

So how do we help wildlife? If you see injured wildlife, Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital is a good place to go. Phone (770)926-5311. There is also an app called “Animal Help Now”. I also have some information on my website.

Rob Macmillan

How can you contribute to animals in need in our community?

If anyone wants to collect any pet food or toys for animals in need in the area get a Rob’s Rescues bin.

Starbucks at Canton Marketplace and Starbucks on Sixes Road held food drives for me for animals in need.

There is always a Rob’s Rescues pet food collection bin at Rebound Physical Therapy (980 Woodstock Pkwy, Suite 200, Woodstock).

If anyone wants to do a pet food collection for their birthday let me know. Kids like to collect for animals and a Rob’s Rescues bin at a birthday party is always a good thing. Some of the things from the last birthday bin went to Two Tailz Rescue and some went to the W-Underdogs. See my interviews with Freedom Flightz who are part of Two Tailz Rescue and the W-Underdogs in the interview section.

How else can kids help shelter animals? See Rob’s Rangers.

Any Paypal donations received go towards helping feral cats and shelter animals.

RUN WITH ROB 5K RACE: Registration, Sponsor and Information

robs rescues

Register online with Active.com.

When

Saturday November 9, 2019 at 8am.

Same day registration and packet pickup starts at 7am

Packet pickup will also be at the Playground Pavilion from 5pm-7pm on Friday, November 8, 2019. 

Where

Bridgemill Athletic Club, 1190 Bridgemill Ave, Canton, GA 30114

The start and finish lines will be at the Playground Pavilion. 

The race will be run, for the most part, through the golf course on the cart paths.

Who is The Grey Project?

Please read here about this volunteer run organization that is dedicated to TNR and providing for the free roaming cats in our community. Proceeds from this race will go towards their work.

Awards

Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/ Female, and top three Male/Female in standard age groups beginning 10 and under through 75 and over.

Timing and Results

Finish line management and results provided by Classic Race Services with results posted to www.classicraceservices.com, www.active.com, www.athlinks.com.

Donations

Participants are encouraged to bring a can or bag of dog or cat food. Financial donations will also be accepted either on race day or by mail.

Registration

Register Online here.

Registration can also be done by printing out this entry form and mailing it in.

Sponsor

Please consider helping to sponsor this event or hosting a water table!

Thank you to the following Sponsors to date:

Freshens

GSI Inc

Bridgemill Dentistry

Aroundabout Local Media

Hanging with the W-Underdogs

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the donations we took down to The W-Underdogs in east-ATL. We took pet food, blankets, towels, toys as well as some gift bags for the kids, warm hats, winter jackets, toiletries etc.

We enjoyed our time with founder Grace Hamlin and Thomas visiting the assortment of dogs and cats they collect on the streets – all of which are looking for homes. Rob’s favorite cat was Batman (see the photo of him on his head) and favorite dog was Sugar (however of all the animals there Sugar is not up for adoption – she is Grace’s dog that helps teach kids how to approach and treat animals).

Another donation drive will take place in October hosted by Starbucks at Canton Marketplace as well as Starbucks on Sixes/Ridge Roads.

Rob’s interview with Grace Hamlin about her mission with the W-Underdogs can be found here. She called it “the best interview she’s ever had”.

We need a Feral Cat Sanctuary Park in Cherokee County

This post appeared in the July 2018 edition of the Townlaker, Around Woodstock, Around Canton and Around Acworth magazines.

Last year I went to Spain and there is a feral cat colony in a town called Lloret de Mar that the community helps keep in shape. It is a park with benches and actually a bit of a tourist destination. People go and hang out with the cats and don’t disturb them.

Feral cats in a Cherokee County, GA neighborhood trailer park.

We have feral cat colonies here. There is one at Whispering Pines trailer park. This is going to be torn down soon and the cats need help. The Grey Project is only 4 women in Canton and they do most of the work with all our feral cat colonies. People often want to know how to help in the community.

Contact me or the Grey Project and help with spaying, neutering, feeding and healthcare of feral cats. I believe that we have to help these cats right now.

Feral cat park overlooking the town of Lloret de Mar in Spain.

 

Guest Performer with iThink Improv Troupe

Thank you IThink Improv Troupe for inviting Rob to perform with you at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village and raise awareness for shelter animals. A Rob’s Rescues bin also collected a lot of cat food which will go to feeding feral cats in our community cared for by The Grey Project.  It was a great night of fun and entertainment with this enormously entertaining group.

 

Rob received the President’s Volunteer Service Award

Rob was excited to be called into his school principal’s office a few days ago and given the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a signed letter from the White House.  The President’s Volunteer Service Award is presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service in recognition and appreciation for commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service.

Blessing Bags for the Homeless on the Streets of Atlanta with their Pets : A Thank you to Cherokee County Council of PTAs and Schools

For the Cherokee Council of PTAs (CCCPTA) 10th Annual Presidents and Principals Luncheon to ‘Celebrate the Season’, the Cherokee County schools PTAs and principals collected items for Rob’s Rescues.

I would like to thank all the schools and PTAs that donated stuff and to Ms Kathy Strom, Ms Monica Orrico, Ms. Amy Krumrey, Ms Heather Shaw and Ms. Beth Morrish of CCCPTA and also the Freedom Middle School PTA for choosing Rob’s Rescues this year.

We packed 46 blessing bags for the homeless people that live on the streets of Atlanta with their pets with blankets, food, gloves, bowls, treats, protein bars, toothbrushes and paste, gum, wipes and more. These have been distributed on the streets in Atlanta by Pet Buddies Food Pantry and the W-Underdogs.

This is exactly what was collected and packed into the blessing bags:

Dry dog and cat food : 110 lb
Cans of dog and cat food: 400
Bags of treats : 36
Carry Bags: 50
Gloves: 142
Blankets: 46
Pet bowls : 39
Bandanas: 17
Toys: 32
Tooth brushes: 44
Tooth paste: 36
Floss : 26
Soap : 18
Protein bars: 66
Packs of Gum: 57
Collars: 8
Leashes: 3
Wash cloths: 18
Hand warmers: 26
McDonalds gift cards:15
Dog coats:  6
Poop bags : 4
Hats: 11
Scarves: 4
Wipes: 22
Pet wipes: 4
Disposable razors : 10
Water bottles: 4
Bottles of Shampoo: 4
Additional carry bags : 36