October Partner Spotlight!
Christine Cummings
In this edition, we shine our CFA Partner Spotlight on A Place Called Hope! We interviewed Christine Cummings (Director) who shared her goals and vision so our members could learn more about the good work they are doing. Here is what they had to share with us…
Visit A Place Called Hope's website HERE
Q: What/Who is A Place Called Hope?
1) A Place Called Hope in Killingworth, CT is a wildlife rehabilitation and education center specializing in the care of CT's orphaned, injured, or sick predatory birds of prey. Our goal is to fix the issues these magnificent beings face living so closely to us humans and return them back to the environment whenever possible. Since 98% of the direct injuries we see at our Center have to do with human related conflicts, it is also part of our mission to help humans learn how to better co-exist with the wildlife in their own backyards. APCH admits between 300-600 bird patients per year.
Q: Where did it all begin? What motivates your organization?
2) It all officially began in 2005 when my husband Todd and myself attended an Adult Education Class titled Intro to Wildlife Rehabilitation offered through Middlesex County. We had been helping injured wildlife for years prior as my Veterinary Technician background and my animal related career brought animals to us as a logical attempt by finders to obtain some level of help. We decided that it was time to do this correctly, and legally, so we took the necessary classes to become licensed through the State of CT DEEP in 2005. APCH was founded in 2007 after spending 2 years volunteering for a Bird of Prey Center that no longer exists.
Q: Describe your experience, passion, and drive behind your mission?
3) I have worked with animals my entire life, and have always had a passion for animals since my young childhood. Animals need humans who are speaking on their behalf, and I have been a voice for so many in so many ways. I feel strongly that animals deserve protection and to be treated humanely and with respect. Becoming a Bird of Prey Rehabilitator has been an incredible journey that has added to my skillset of hands on medical care, education for all ages, and even raising awareness regarding animal laws. Not to mention the necessary skills to operate a facility of this nature, as well as to raise the funding needed to support our ongoing mission.
Q: What are the next steps for A Place Called Hope?
4) A Place Called Hope will continue to cater to birds via rehabilitation, re-nesting projects, returning recovered birds back to their territories, and by educating the public on ways to better co-exist with all native wildlife. APCH will also promote how important it is to preserve our wildlife for future generations. In person encounters with some of our Ambassador Birds through onsite tours or presentations helps us to ensure that memorable connections are made that we feel are necessary for humans to become better committed stewards. The more people learn in person, up close and personal, the more likely they will remain on board.
Q: What are some of the immediate and long-term goals for A Place Called Hope?
5) One of our Immediate Goals is to see lawmakers/legislation enforce a bill to ban the most deadly concoction of poisonous ingredients that make up Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides SGARS used to mis-manage nuisance rodents. These poisons are affecting way more than their intended targets and our wildlife is suffering because of it. We are raising awareness to the fact that poisons have a secondary effect on so many unintentional victims, and there is no such thing as a safe poison. To date, we have submitted 102 specimens for testing and our results show 78 have been poisoned from SGARS. We feel that this effort is urgent so we will continue to spread our message and push hard this next 2025 Legislative Session to put a stop to this unnecessary onslaught since so many safe, non-toxic alternatives exist. We have addressed this issue for four years now, and feel 2025 may be the year we get across the finish line. After we see to this ban, we will focus our attention on banning ceremonial balloon releases, as we are also seeing so many unintentional victims to balloon ribbon entanglements, or ingestion. We are committed to helping our wildlife in every way we can so that we can preserve our wildlife for the future.
Q: What do you see as the primary animal welfare concerns here in CT?
6) Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisons are affecting non-targeted animals as well as our environment. Scientific studies have proven that the ingredients involved have not only affected our domesticated pets and our wildlife, but it has also leached into our soil, our waters, our earthworms and our fish. These toxic chemicals are not safe to use and should no longer be acceptable as a method of resolving rodent issues since they have never and will never solve the issue. Basic Sanitation/Exclusion work along with safe, non-toxic alternatives are the real long term solution. Living so closely to wildlife these days is just a way of life. There are fewer and fewer wild spaces so learning how to better co-exist with all wildlife is critical for a healthy eco-system. We as humans must learn how to do better and it is no longer ok to let nature take its course, when the issues that arise are directly related to mankind. Conflicts may include vehicle strikes, window collisions, garbage entanglements, net entanglements, intentional shootings, toxicity poisonings, habitat loss, and dog or cat attacks. We need to act.
Q: How has your local partnerships impacted your mission and success?
7) Working alongside other Wildlife Rehabilitators, CT Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, The Humane Society, Friends of Animals, CT Votes for Animals, and other animal advocacy groups has helped to strengthen our message and impact our goals. Collaborating with other groups has helped strengthen our effort and has built some long term compatible relationships. We are all striving to protect our wildlife, and together we are a force worthy of joining.
Q: If someone wanted to learn more and get involved, what steps should they take?
8) APCH has a website at http://www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com with information on how to help us achieve our unique goals. Scheduling an onsite tour is a great way to learn more and to learn how to become directly involved with our mission as well as our legislative action to protect our wildlife.
Q: Finally, what would you like to tell our supporters they can do to continue this mission and how can they have the largest positive impact? How can we help?
9) If you should come across an injured, orphaned, or sick Bird of Prey, please reach out to our facility for special instructions on the necessary steps to take to safely help the distressed bird. These birds are Federally Protected and should only be cared for by Federally Licensed individuals or centers for the best outcome. We also encourage supporters to write their local legislators to let them know that you support a bill that would ban Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide poisons in our Stat of CT in 2025. We have no time to waste since these poisons are killing off the very predators designed to control rodent populations naturally. We also encourage supporters to sign up to testify at the CT Environmental Committee's Public Hearing in support of a Bill to Ban SGARS in CT. Sample letters are on our website.