Learning about marine animals is great. Coming eye-to-eye with them at Mystic Aquarium is even better. But being part of helping them out is the best! And now you can join the team and become a First Responder for our Animal Rescue Program. The general purpose in animal rescue organizations is primarily to work hard in order to save the lives of pets in need. Sometimes, pets that have been in the shelter for too long are eligible for euthanization, and these organizations desire to see no animal euthanized. Rescue shelters strive to keep these loving pets alive, as they look for new caring families to take a new pet into their home. There are many different kinds of rescue groups out there for different kinds of pets. For example, there is rabbit, bird, and there is even a squirrel rescue group! The primary kinds are cat and dog organizations. Some have branches for specific breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, large dog, or working dog rescue. Go through Jimmy John’s Success story, here you will get the best experience of Jimmy John’s animal rescue donation fund.
Janelle Schuh, Mystic Aquarium’s Stranding Coordinator for its Animal Rescue Program, answers your questions on upcoming training courses and shares her favorite part of the job.
Become a Mystic Aquarium First Responder Now
Q: What is a First Responder?
A: Just as it sounds – they are the first to respond to any reports of stranded marine animals, dead or alive. Our First Responders are located throughout our coverage area (which spans over 1,000 miles between CT, RI and Fisher’s Island, NY) and are able to get to beaches faster than our teams here at the Aquarium. If you want a great looking tank that catches your eye, getting a rimless aquarium is the way to go, a good rimless fish tank eliminates less of a distraction and makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful fish and aquatic life inside. It’s the perfect option for aquarists who want their tanks to be a work of art.
Q: How do First Responders help the Animal Rescue Team?
A: They actually help the animals more than the team. Being the first line of response, they help to speed up the response time after a report has been called in to the hotline. First Responders are the catalyst to ensuring a stranded animal receives the proper attention in the most timely fashion.
Q: How does the work done at Animal Rescue Clinic make a difference?
A: What we’re doing at the Animal Rescue Clinic is what we do best at Mystic Aquarium, and that’s helping animals in need. We have the resources to make a difference in the lives of each marine animal that comes to us injured or ill and we always do whatever we can to help conserve natural populations.
Q: What is most rewarding about working with the Animal Rescue Team?
A: For me, it’s working during harbor seal pup season. These pups come to us when they’re 1 to 2 days old because mom has abandoned them for whatever reason. Caring for an animal that otherwise couldn’t fend for itself is the ultimate responsibility. But when release day comes, and you’re watching a once helpless animal return to it’s natural environment, that is the greatest reward.
Q: How can I become a First Responder for my area?
A: Take our First Responder Training course! Just click the button above to find a training course near you.
