If today’s lunch forage were a contest, Missy definitely took first prize!
chimpanzee
Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day
Caregivers are the heart and soul of every animal sanctuary. To recognize their vital contribution to the well being of thousands of rescued animals around the world, the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance has teamed up with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries to create a day in their honor. Today, we are proud to celebrate the first annual Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day!
Here at CSNW, it’s impossible to overstate the love, dedication, and commitment that our caregivers demonstrate every day. Every moment of playfulness we share on this blog, every picture of contentment you see, is the product of thousands of hours of hard work by CSNW’s caregiver crew.
The staff and volunteer caregivers clean for five hours a day, seven days a week. It is a never-ending job.
They prepare the chimps’ many meals, forages, and food puzzles each day.
They invest countless hours in training so that they can help serve those meals safely.
They wash and fold 70 or more blankets a day so the chimps can build fresh, clean nests.
They plant gardens and tend to them throughout the summer so that they chimps will have the freshest produce possible.
They throw parties for the chimps to keep life exciting and interesting.
They spend countless hours building trust and developing friendships.
They tend to wounds and ensure that medications are administered daily.
They engage in hundreds of hours of positive reinforcement training so that the chimps learn to cooperate with physical exams.
They walk for miles around Young’s Hill in the blazing sun and the pouring rain to keep Jamie and her friends company.
They work weekends and holidays because the chimps never take a day off from needing our care. And when Jamie insists on staying out all night and walking in the moonlight, they are there too – even when they might rather be home in bed.
Caring for chimpanzees is hard work. It’s physically demanding and, at times, emotionally draining. But it can also be unbelievably rewarding. We are lucky to be surrounded and supported by people who find fulfillment in working hard for the benefit of others; people who measure success by the amount of good they can do for the animals who so desperately need our help.
To Elizabeth, Katelyn, and Anna, who dedicate their lives to the Cle Elum Seven, to the dozens of selfless volunteers and interns who give up their free time to serve these deserving chimpanzees, and to sanctuary caregivers around the world: Thank you for all you do and Happy Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day!
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Happy Birthday, Donna!
There has been a lot of thought around the chimpanzees and sanctuary this week as so many generous supporters have been including the chimps in their lives by sponsoring a day of sanctuary! It makes us so happy to see the chimps included in so many of your memories and celebrations and we’re grateful beyond belief for the difference you make in their lives.
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by a long-time supporter and friend of the chimps, Donna Dinsmore! Donna shared, “This is my birthday and I would love to have the chimps celebrate it with me!”
Donna, Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your kind and generous heart. We’re all so happy to be able to celebrate with you and are wishing you a beautiful day filled with adventure, contentment, and all your favorite things:
Jody:
Lunch
Considering one human is responsible for keeping seven hungry chimps happy at meals, most of them go remarkably smoothly.
Happy Birthday, Karen!
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie Olson to celebrate her sister, Karen Olson! Julie and Karen are long-time friends of the chimps and we’re so happy to join them in their festivities today! Julie sends this message about today:
“I am sponsoring a day for the chimps in honor of my sister Karen’s birthday. She introduced me to the chimps and I am so glad she did! She truly loves all creatures great and small except for spiders :-D”
Julie, thank you so much for sponsoring today in Karen’s honor! Your compassion and generosity ensure that every day is one of sanctuary for these amazing chimps and we’re truly grateful to you and Karen.
Happiest of birthdays to you, Karen! We hope your day is filled with Annie-Missy style joy and love! Well, maybe not the games of wrestling and chase at dangerous heights, but still the joy and love. 😉
For Angela and the chimps!
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Brian Dixon in honor of his wife, Angela Demele, on her birthday! Brian shared that Angela inspired this gift and felt what better way to celebrate with her!
Brian, thanks so much for including the chimps in your celebration of Angela! We really appreciate you honoring her by making a difference in the chimps’ lives.
Happy Birthday from all of us here at CSNW, Angela! We’re so happy to celebrate your special day with you and hope it’s the best one yet! Thank you so much for caring about the chimps and including them in your life.
Burrito and Foxie always know how to celebrate:
Today is in honor of Robert Ruggeri
It is a beautiful and peaceful day morning here at the sanctuary. The chimps started their day, as they do most days this time of year, basking in the early morning sun coming into the greenhouse, and our neighborhood elk, Ellie, was still dozing in the shaded green grass when I arrived. Such a day couldn’t be more fitting as we celebrate a day of sanctuary sponsored in honor of Robert Ruggeri by his daughter, Rachel Ruggeri. Rachel shared this beautiful and touching message about her father:
“This day is in honor of my father, Robert Ruggeri, who would have celebrated his 81st birthday on June 6th. Though he passed away four years ago this July, his vital spirit continues to remain present in our minds and in our hearts. His love of animals was part of the fabric of his being – always with a dog by his side and happy to see all creatures enjoying their natural habit and the freedom that ensued. He would love nothing more than to see the chimps enjoying a sense of well-deserved peace and harmony among the acres of Eastern Washington, the place he himself fondly called home.”
Rachel, thank you so very much for your generous gift for the chimpanzees in memory of your father. We are honored to celebrate Robert and our hearts are with you and your family, hoping that the incredible memories you must have of him fill you with love and comfort. He sounds like such an amazing being and we’ll be holding thoughts of his special spirit here with us all.
Burrito, in all his courage, on top of the Twister:
Jamie and Foxie:
Annie (below) and Missy (top):
Master Forager, Jody:
Negra:
Sunset over the sanctuary:
