CATS • DOGS • EQUESTRIAN • EXOTICS • HOMESTEADING • WILDLIFE
Vol 1 editiOn 7 - SPRING 2017 …………………………………………………
PriCelesS
OCEAN Gardening keep your own bright, beautiful coral reef
pg 09
Snakes
HENHOUSE
in the
which species to look for as snake season gears up pg 15
y l d n e i r Dog-F
Savannah 11 restaurants to take your pup pg 13
03 Friend Me | Adoptions - Sponsored by Ligato's Fine Jewelry 07 Of Cocoons and Corgi-Russells - Hannah Seigworth 09 Ocean Gardening | Coral Reefs - Josh Kirkland 11
Pledge the Pink
12
Working Dog: Dorian of the Ridgeland Police Dept
13
Dog-Friendly Savannah Restaurants - Brittany Parker
15
Snakes in the Henhouse - Justin Smith
17
The Buzz | Upcoming Local Events
18
Q & Animal with Erica Veit
19
Exotic Top 10 | Bugs
21
Barking Bluffton | Business Share Page
22 Beewatch | Honeybee Swarming - Vivian Hansen 23 Fonzie's Story
- Vanessa Lewallen
24 Books for People Who Love Animals & Books | Amadeus the Leghorn Rooster - Linda Burton 25 Critter Collage | Photo Page 27 Coloring Pages 29 Squawk | Animal-Supporters' Local Business Directory 30 Contributors and Classifieds
CATEGORY KEY CATS
DOGS
EXOTIC
WILDLIFE
EQUESTRIAN
HOMESTEADING
PEANUT GALLERY
VOLUME 1
09
Ocean Gardening: Coral Reefs
12 15
SPRING 2017
Dog-Friendly Savannah Restaurants
Snakes in the Henhouse
Publisher Ande Nehila Managing Editor Joe Nehila Editor Hannah Seigworth Creative Direction Nosoco Designer Two Rivers Creative: Vivian Hansen Contributors Justin Smith, Hannah Seigworth, Linda Burton, Josh Kirkland, Vivian Hansen, Vanessa Lewallen, Brittany Parker Community Liaisons Justin Smith, Nicole Moore Nosoco dba Tails of the Lowcountry 175 Boardwalk Dr. Suite H Ridgeland, SC 29936
843-882-7803 info@tailsofthelowcountry.com www.tailsofthelowcountry.com
Copyrighted. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Tails of the Lowcountry magazine are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. Tails of the Lowcountry retains the right to refuse any advertisement. For questions of animal health, wellness, and safety, readers should consult professionals.
Cover Stories
EDITION 7
Aspen
Blackie
Jasper Animal Rescue Mission
Batman
Chester
The Tabby House
Cooper
Chop Suey
Hadley
Mila
Ranger
Matthew
Tony
Trinity
Murphy
Oscar
Tipper
- jarmission.org
Lester
Lovable Paws Rescue
Checkers
Chewbacca
- lovablepawsrescue.com
Margie - tabbyhousebeaufort.com
Mollie
Palmetto Animal League - palmettoanimalleague.org
3
Dabby
Mahi
Morgan
Penny
Sweet Pea
Tabby Tales Rescue - tabbytalesrescue.org
Ado andpt R es todcue ay! Artie
Breeze
Beaufort County Animal Shelter
Emma
Tiger
- bcgov.net
If your walls could talk, they’d thank you.
waiting at your
local shelter Adopt today
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Amy Bowman, Agent 1284 Ribaut Road Beaufort, SC 29902 Bus: 843-524-7531 amy.bowman.g6j7@statefarm.com
Your best friend is
Corriveau Ins Agcy Inc Andy Corriveau CLU, Agent 2048 Pearl Street Beaufort, SC 29902 Bus: 843-524-1717
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912.395.1212 OATLANDISLAND.ORG
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL
4
april
You can make a difference in our “Like the Love” campaign! Each month, we select a charity who will benefit if you like our Official Tails of the lowcountry Facebook page: Facebook.com/ TailsoftheLowcountrY. Tell your friends & help these two charities win if we reach 250, 500, and 1,000 new likes!
A non-profit therapeutic riding program created to enhance the development, both physically and mentally, of special needs individuals utilizing the unique assets provided by horseback riding and human interaction.
www.horsinaround.org
www.tailsofthelowcountry.com
may
Educating the state of Georgia about the wonderful world of reptiles through membership, outreach, and social media.
gareptilesociety.org
us
/tailsofthelowcountry
on
CONGRATS To the participants in last issue’s Like the love campaign
One Love Animal Rescue
SD Gunner Fund helping to provide and maintain service animals for disabled children and veterans
VISIT US @ oneloveanimalrescue.com
SD GUNNER FUND No disability shall go unseen. No Veteran shall be alone.
Rescuing animals and finding forever homes by partnering with local shelters and groups in Savannah
www.facebook.com/sdgunner 6
of
Cocoons and
Corgi-Russells by Hannah Seigworth
S
pringtime is a time of new beginnings - of transformation. And what better vehicle for transformation than a cocoon? So simple and yet so complex, it is a real-life fairy realm where magic happens. For Ann Marie Fiore, the owner of the Cocoon store in Bluffton’s Promenade, this little piece of nature holds many meanings.
When I asked her where she got the name for her store, she told me this: “There were just two girls in the family, and my father desperately wanted a son.” She recounted that her late father was a man who liked to tell stories when they were growing up. “One of the stories he would tell is that if I wanted to be a handsome boy for my father, I needed to collect string and ribbon and be good and put it in a box.
“I put it in my little Capezio ballet slipper box . . . and when the box was full I went to my father and said, ‘Ok. I am now ready.’ I picked out a tree in the backyard, because he had told me he would teach me how to spin a cocoon. I’d go in a girl, and I’d come out a handsome boy for my father. And I was all ready, and then he finally had to tell me I couldn’t really do it.” Perhaps that was devastating news for an elementary-aged girl, but it was a source of inspiration for her adult counterpart. When the little girl Ann Marie grew up, she worked in retail for m a n y years,
7
moving up through the ranks while she collected various skill sets along the way. Upon moving to the Lowcountry, she decided to open up a store of her own in 2012. “When it was time for me to pick a name for the business - and the business was originally more home goods and custom bedding, so when you think of home and being cozy, it’s your cocoon, and the name just came to me. . . . It’s what the store is about, but it’s also a very personal name for me.” Because her father was so influential in the name, Ann Marie says that she is thankful that he was able to see the store’s creation before he passed away a couple years ago. Over the past five years since its inception, the store has made a transformation similar to that of a creature inside a cocoon. Though it began more as a homewares shop, Ann Marie claims it has now morphed into a collaboration between her desires and that of her customers’. “The business has really evolved to what my customers are telling me they want it to be and they need it to be, so now, we are predominantly clothing - I’ve just started venturing into shoes . . . jewelry . . . books . . . baby goods. . . . When they ask me to get something in, I explore that avenue.” Considering that her career roots began in clothing retail at Ann Taylor, she didn’t have a problem making the transition. Although the theme could certainly be deemed “coastal,” its influences come from more places than just the Lowcountry. Having spent many summers on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Ann Marie became a lover of navy blue and striped awnings. The bright colors in her store harken back to her family’s years spent in the Florida Keys.
But with her childhood home in New Jersey and her oldest son still in Key West, how did her husband and Ann Marie decide to move to the South Carolina Lowcountry? “This whole area is really just a blend - and the whole look is just a blend - of . . . Long Beach Island and Key West . . . which is why we settled here. We thought it was just a nice combination of the two.” The fact that Bluffton is halfway between the two locations doesn’t hurt either. In 2015, the store moved from Sheridan Park to the Promenade, and Ann Marie couldn’t be happier. “This move has opened me up to a much wider customer base. . . . Definitely tourists, but my main clientele base is . . . the ladies of the gated communities who love to come down here for lunch with their friends.” Although Ann Marie doesn’t have time for much else beyond her store, that’s okay in her eyes. “They’re very loyal customers, and that’s probably the most rewarding part of it; building these relationships with the customers who support my store and getting to know all of them, I feel like it’s a very personal store.” One of Ann Marie’s other “personal” touches to Cocoon included the addition of her greeter, guard dog, and friend, Mia. A Corgi-Jack Russell Terrier mix, Mia was a rescue dog that Jerry and Ann Marie adopted from Rogue Rescue after the death of their two other dogs. She was originally part of a litter of seven, and her mom had been hit by a car and killed. Mia, or “Misty” as she had been called in the shelter, was the last one of her litter to be adopted. “I had already picked the name of Mia, so it was a very easy transition for her. And actually,
our black lab’s name was Bella, but we called her ‘Bella’ so many times that we nicknamed her ‘Mia Bella,’ so she’s our beautiful girl.” Fortunately, Mia has adapted to the retail lifestyle quite nicely and greets all the customers before making her way back to her bed. Or her fort. Or one of her other hideouts. “I like to say, when she’s at work, she’s a Corgi. When she gets home, she’s a Jack Russell.” Translation: while Mia may be calm and content to fall asleep on the job during the day, when she gets home, she’s a flying furball of energy. But that’s okay, because springtime is also a time for frolicking, right?
FAMILY OLD FASHION
Above: Ann Marie and her father. Below: Mia greeting customers.
FUN POPCORN BLOCKBUSTERS ADMISSIONS ADULTS - $7
KIDS 5-12 - $3
KIDS 4-UNDER - $FREE
MILITARY (W/ID) - $6
SENIORS - $6
8
HWY21DRIVeIN.COM
OCEAN Gardening By Josh Kirkland
A Saltwater Reef Aquarium is not complete without a reef, meaning corals. Corals can be easily maintained or extremely difficult to care for and grow, and different corals have different requirements. Here's a quick guide to getting started with your ocean garden. Fortunately, there are many requirements common to most corals including: proper lighting, water movement, and stable water parameters. Corals are cultivated three different ways: mariculture, aquaculture, and wild grown. Maricultured corals are those cultivated in an enclosed section of the ocean or a raceway filled with seawater. Aquacultured coral is coral that has been grown in a completely controlled environment such as a home aquarium. Wild grown coral is that which has been cut from a reef in the ocean, imported, and then sold. When I purchase coral, I like to always try to purchase aquacultured coral, as it has a much higher survival rate in your aquarium. Additionally, one is not supporting the pillaging of what few natural reefs still remain on Earth. In this article I will explain the informal classification of coral categories within the hobby. This is not a scientific categorization.
Jaw Dropper Acropora
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Soft Corals In the Saltwater hobby soft corals are corals that do not have a calcareous skeleton but are made up of “soft” flesh. The soft coral group includes: zoanthids, palythoas, and sinularias, just to name a few. Soft corals do not require strict water parameters, can thrive in low water movement, and usually grow quickly. They are recommended for beginners in the hobby and tend to be favorites with them as well. Soft corals are also very easy to propagate, but most are extremely poisonous to humans. Safety protection must be worn when propagating most soft corals . The Neon Toadstool pictured bottom right is a favorite among all hobbyists. LPS Corals LPS (large-polyped scleractinian or largepolyped stony) corals have a calcareous skeleton and as you can probably guess, a large polyp and soft flesh covering its skeleton. These corals require more stable water parameters than soft corals because LPS corals use calcium, carbonate, magnesite, and strontianite from the water column to build their skeletons. LPS corals also have stinging tentacles that are used to capture prey or ward off adversaries. They are photosynthetic, meaning that they make food from light, so they need the proper lighting when kept in an aquarium. LPS corals are always fun to feed and can come in very extravagant colors, such as the one of a kind Rainbow Acanthophyllia pictured in the center. SPS Corals SPS (small-polyped scleractinian or small-polyped stony) corals are mainly calcareous skeleton and have very little soft flesh. These corals are also photosynthetic, require very stable water parameters, and usually medium to high water movement. SPS corals use the same elements from the water column to build their skeletons as LPS corals but usually consume a greater amount at a faster rate. Most SPS corals require adequate distance from other corals as well because they also have stinging tentacles that can kill other corals if they come in contact. These corals not only thrive on light, elements, and minerals from the water column but also dissolved organic matter and zooplankton. SPS can be extremely expensive and have very elaborate color patterns. The Jaw Dropper Acropora pictured on the far left can easily sell over $1,000.00. There are some corals that are just not meant to be owned.
NPS Corals NPS (non-photosynthetic) corals do not use light at all as a source of energy. Instead, these corals rely on feedings to thrive and grow. NPS corals ingest phytoplankton, zooplankton, and nutrients from the water column. Some of these corals have a calcareous skeleton, and some do not. Water parameters must be stringently maintained for NPS corals to grow and thrive. Most of these corals are considered to be extremely difficult to keep in the home aquarium, mainly because they require feedings multiple times a week. Though NPS do not use light, they express quite the color scheme, and most are very unique. A good example is the Sun Coral, pictured upper right. There’s nothing like taking a small fragment of a coral and growing it into a large colony. It is very rewarding and certainly gives one a feeling of accomplishment. Growing coral is, by far, my favorite part of the hobby. Remember that this is a hobbyist’s categorization of these coral groups, so there are many corals that will fall into a gray area or have characteristics of more than one category. All corals require stability rather than the perfect water parameters. There is no need to
10
chase numbers, but rather one should keep the numbers they have close to those of the ocean and its water parameters. And keep them constant. In the saltwater aquarium hobby one is not really caring for the animals and corals, but they are really caring for the water. Always research a coral of interest before purchase so that you may see if your lifestyle is compatible with the care and attention that coral requires. Happy Reefing!
Pled ge th
e
pi n k
Wh y t h ousand s
are pl
edging the p
ink (an d
It’s a call that’s been answered by hundreds of locals and thousands more visitors from all points of the globe: come on and do the LoCo Motion (with me!). This year, even more will come, drawn by a new call: Pledge The Pink.
The name change is just one of the many exciting things about this While she’s not looking to top that record, year’s installment of a fun, friendly three-day walking race that Morgan promises to find new ways to has broken world records, raised thousands for local breast cancer surprise and excite participants for the 2017 prevention screenings and has inspired more than a few outrageous installment. costumes over the years. (As these photos can attest). “Every year, we look for some way to top what The one thing that won’t change is the fun and frivolity of this we did last year,” said Morgan. “This year, we beloved local event. Through three days, nearly 1,500 participants realized that we had to completely change the will join together in one of the most fun walk/run races in the world. game.” The bonds of friendship formed during the race assure that no one Changing the game started with changing the ever run or crawl that last mile alone. name. The LoCo in LoCo Motion is shorthand This year the event is painting three marvelous venues pink: Hilton for Lowcountry, and while the race is still Head Island, Daufuskie Island and Callawassie Island. With ten run here and funds raised still stay here, the miles a day, Pledge The Pink lets you explore some of the most race has taken on a global focus. With the beautiful parts of our Lowcountry home. introduction of “virtual LoCo” last year, the And, yes, you can still expect some crazy costumes, a festival event’s organizer suddenly found themselves atmosphere and an unbridled sense of humor and shared joy. After comparing times locally against runners all, how many breast cancer fundraisers can say they hold the all over the world, from as far away as Paris, Guinness World Record for the longest line of garden flamingos? France. As an added fundraiser last year, participants were invited to “We sent medals and race swag to people all “adopt a bird,” namely a plastic garden flamingo in honor of the across the planet, and we unknowingly created events mascot Fancy the Flamingo. The result was a sea of 1,058 a world-wide event,” said Morgan. flamingos and official recognition from Guinness. But don’t be fooled by its global reach. This is “That was a fun one,” said event founder Laura Morgan. still very much a local fundraiser, with benefits “I was so thrilled when we received the letter that stay right here in the Lowcountry. Last Pledge The Pink, the area's from Guinness. To see so many people year’s event, for example, raised $40,000 for signature footloose foot race raising step up to ‘adopt a bird’ and help us Hollings Cancer Center and helped provide funds to fight breast cancer. set this record was something mammograms to countless locals. Sept. 21-24 really special.” Pledge The Pink returns Sept. 21-24 this Hilton Head Island, Daufusie Island and year, but locals are encouraged to sign up Callawassie Island early using the coupon To hit our goal of $200,000 in funding the fight against code IMALOCAL breast cancer right here in the Lowcountry. for an immediate Visit pledgethepink.com As the event approaches, 10% discount off Of course! We love our locals. Enter coupon code those who are signed up will their registration. IMALOCAL and sign up before April 15 and we'll hook you be among the first to hear up with a 10 percent discount. about great contests and the It's not required, but yes. The brighter the better. latest updates. Find out more, Yes! Leashed dogs welcome! and get signed up, at www.
FAQ What:
When: Where: Why: How: Discounts?
Wear pink? dogs?
you sh ould, too!)
pledgethepink.com. 11
WO RKI NG
D
G
Dorian
of the ridgeland police dept
Dorian is a handsome, black German Shepherd who’s been in service with the Ridgeland Police Department since 2010. The 7 ½ year old, Romanian born, canine has been trained to do a handful of jobs since he’s the only k-9 on the force. Dorian was certified through the American Society of Canine Trainers and knows commands in German and English. He’s kept busy with jobs finding narcotics, tracking, and patrolling. Dorian stays busy in Ridgeland, having made
some significant drug busts in his time. This working K-9 has had a few handlers in his time with RPD but his current handler is David Swinehammer. The two teamed up in late 2016 and have been rolling the streets since. In his downtime, Dorian enjoys going on walks, going to the park, and being social since he loves people!
ex liv ten br e m sive un us w ch ic in & d nig e li inn ht st er s
Ridgeland is an interesting little town. It has some cool places like The Morris Heritage Center, a handful of restaurants, and some buildings that seem to be preserved from a Lowcountry long ago. This small town has a small police department but they’ve got a four-legged secret weapon in the form of Dorian, a German Shepherd, their working dog.
visit us on facebook /thecollinsquarter
Dorian is one of many working dogs that help law enforcement do and find things they might not have! Working K-9’s are essential to getting drugs off the streets, finding criminals, and keeping us safe with skills like bomb detection. Thanks, Dorian!
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mother’s day brunch & dinner reserve online at OPENTABLE.COM OR the collinsquarter.com
y l d n e i r F g o D
Savannah dog g pu p o an d pe a res pprovr tau ed r an ts!
N
ow here is a subject that is near and dear to my heart: FOOD! Savannah is an excellent city for food lovers. It is also an excellent city for those of us with four legged children, especially for those of us who like to bring our four legged children with us everywhere. What a combination: food and great company! My husband and I have an 89lb American Staffordshire Terrier. He is a rescue that previously had zero manners, but he is my perfect little gentleman now. However, not all establishments love my Dozer as much as I do. As you can imagine in a hustling and bustling city, not all establishments have ample amounts of space for an 89lb bully booty. Not to fear though! There are a TON of dog friendly establishments in Savannah, but here is a list of my absolute favorite restaurants that my pup and I frequent on mommy and son dates.
By Brittany Parker and Dozer
J Christopher’s
SUPER dog friendly breakfast/lunch spot. They have a lot of outside seating with shade available, with water bowls if you do not travel with your own. All of their staff is super friendly and not resistant at all to Dozer. They even have dishes for doggies on their menu. J Christopher’s is a short walk from Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah, so it is the perfect spot for a Saturday morning stroll through the Forsyth Farmers’ Market and then off to breakfast or lunch with your dog.
Firefly Café
They do not have a ton of outside seating, but their tables do have umbrellas for shade and there is a nice corner table for a bigger doggy to not be in the way of downtown foot traffic. Great human food!!
Huey’s on the River
This restaurant right on River Street has three outside tables with a beautiful view of the river. Depending on the time of year and day you go, it can be really busy with foot traffic on River Street, but the food is worth trying to see if your pup will do well in that environment. They have a New Orleans style menu, and a mimosa that is to die for. Mimosa + good food + view of the river + your doggy = a winner!!
Zunzi’s
Made top three of “Best Sandwich in America”‘nough said. Must try! Granted, it is not an actual sit-down restaurant with seating inside. You order at the counter inside and get your food there, but they have an outside patio area with plenty of tables and umbrellas for shade. The line to order can get quite lengthy, but it is sooooo worth it. I recommend you bring your big girl/boy eating skills though, because those sandwiches are very big and messy, and we all know your puppy will not mind cleaning up your scraps for you. On second thought, be messy and drop all the food you want! I’m sure your doggy deserves a yummy treat.
Leopold’s Ice Cream
Ok, so this is more of a selfish human stop because OMG, their ice cream is so dang good. They are dog friendly with outside seating, but you do have to go inside to order your food or ice cream and bring it out, so it’s not super conducive to just a mommy and doggy day. Also, if your pup doesn’t love crowds or gawkers, I would not recommend taking him/her here because it is always very crowded.
Sentient Bean
Right across from Forsyth Park, this is a great place for you and your doggy to go relax and eat a healthy breakfast after your morning workout. They have great coffee and hot tea options too (for those of us who aren’t adults yet and don’t like coffee). They also have lunch, but it is my breakfast go-to place after visiting the park in the morning. You do have to go inside to order at the counter, so you will either have to be ok leaving your pup outside or have someone with you to hold your precious four legged child. It does get crowded there though, and there are only a few small tables outside. It is worth the wait, I promise!
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Illustration by Vivian Hansen: tworiverscreative.com
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Savannah Coffee Roasters
Ok, to say this place is awesome and unique would be the understatement of the century. It is styled after an Australian café, and their menu reflects it. They have GREAT coffee and tea options for the morning, and the best out-of-thebox breakfast I have ever had. They do have lunch and dinner also, but I have never partaken in those lovely meals there. As far as dog friendly goes, they do have outside seating… buuutttt the tables are very close together. Bringing my big’ole dog there would only really be an option if he was dead tired already, due to the closeness of the tables, the crowdedness of the restaurant (totally worth the wait though), and just being on a busy corner in downtown Savannah. There is a lot going on for anxious pups!
On the subject of drinking (haha), Savannah Coffee has the best hot tea choices for those of us non coffee drinking weirdos. Hey, we are humans too and have to have caffeine! They do have a menu of baked goods, sandwiches, etc. Disclaimer: you do have to go inside and order and get your food/drink at the counter, so the puppy has to stay outside. They have nice outside seating though!
Vinnie Van Go Go’s
Most of the City Market area has outside seating in the middle of the street, and are dog friendly. I have a love for this particular City Market restaurant because they have the BEST. PIZZA.EVER. Plus, there are nice, secluded corner tables where my doggy can hide from the crowd if he gets overwhelmed. Bonus for any City Market restaurant: Woof Gang Bakery is right around the corner. You can go to Woof Gang and get your four legged a doggy ice cream or another treat, and then you can sit down and eat your pizza while your child gets their snack. It’s a win-win for both of you!
Six Pence Pub
If you and your pup are out and about for lunch, and you want a beer, this is your place to stop! They have awesome traditional English food. Bangers and Mash… open face roast beef sandwich… getting hungry just thinking about it! They have a good bit of outside tables and are perfectly dog friendly.
Moon River Brewing Co.
Yes, it’s a brewery, hence the name, but there is plenty of outside seating and an awesome pub style menu. There is even an outside hostess to seat you, so your pup never has to be left alone and you can get right to your table to drink you a cold one and enjoy a nice Savannah day.
To sum up: get out in Savannah with your doggy and try something new! Savannah is a beautiful city, with plenty of dog friendly restaurants just waiting for you to try them. 14
s e k a Sn
in the
HENHOUSE
by Justin Smith, Shark Wrestler
We’re lucky here in the South.
Compared to other parts of the world, and even the country, we don’t have much to worry about when it comes to the critters in our backyards.
Out west they have scorpions, tarantulas, and a handful of rattlesnake species, most of which aren’t considered deadly (except the rattlers of course). In other parts of the globe there’s the ever present danger of large predators like lions or crocodiles and countless species of very toxic snakes and even herding mammals. If you really think about it, we’ve got it good here on the coast.
In our area we have 38 species of snake but only 6 species are considered dangerous. Now it’s important to realize that whether a snake you come across is dangerous or not, these animals are still an important building block in the ecosystem. And despite the stigma snakes get they really do a lot of good as a vital part of nature. When it comes to rodent and pest control they’re the best at what they do, keeping rodent
populations down so that we’re not overrun with vermin. We even have a few species that specialize in eating other snakes! Since this is the homesteading issue it seemed like the perfect time to talk about some species that are commonly seen in rural areas and farms. These are species that I’ve found to be “regulars” on the property and in the chicken coop.
Yellow Rat Snakes aka Chicken Snakes These are easily one of the most common species we have in the area and they don’t call them Chicken Snakes for nothing! If you’ve ever noticed that eggs seem to be disappearing, there’s a good chance that these large snakes are the
culprit. Yellow Rat Snakes are one of the largest species we have in the area with individuals reach lengths of 3 feet all the way up to 6 feet! Every year, like clockwork, we find yellow rats in our chicken coop raiding the egg boxes. In addition to stealing the goods from your hens, these snakes eat rodents and birds regularly. This species is great at climbing which allows them to sneak into the lay boxes and get an easy meal. Yellow Rat Snakes usually aren’t very defensive with the exception of younger, smaller individuals but they don’t hesitate to release a musk that will really make you think twice about messing with them again.
Black Racers When you hear someone talk about seeing a “black snake,” this is the species they’re talking about since we don’t have Black Rat Snakes in our area. Racers are usually a species you’ll only notice as they’re speeding off in the other direction! They’re a very quick, high strung species that typically runs as soon as they’re spotted. However, if they’re cornered racers don’t hesitate to bite and are infamous for being bitey and unfriendly. Adults reach lengths of 3 or 4 feet but can sometimes reach 5 feet. Racers are one of the most adaptable species,
able to survive in just about any habitat in the area and eating just about anything that’s smaller than them or that they can over-power. Their diet is extensive, eating frogs, lizards, small mammals, birds, and other snakes including other racers!
15
Corn Snakes These are one of a handful of species native to the coast that get misidentified as one of the venomous species. Resembling a Copperhead, Corn Snakes are a relative to the Yellow Rat Snake but don’t normally get as big. Adults typically stay around 3 feet or so and eat a diet of rodents, birds, and lizards. Corns are personally one of my favorite species because of their colors and ease of care. Okatie and Jasper county in South Carolina is somewhat famous for the population of bright orange
corns native to the area. You can see why they get confused with copperheads due to the color and pattern being a little similar, even though buildwise, corns are much more slender in profile.
eastern hognose Ironically one of the most intimidating but also innocuous snakes you’re likely to come across is the Eastern Hognose. We have two native species of Hognose, the Eastern and the Southern, but the Eastern is far more common. What a lot of people don’t know is that Hognoses are, in fact, a
rear-fanged venomous species! The catch is they very rarely bite and their specialized diet of toads makes them basically harmless to people. This species in particular is interesting because they can do things other native snakes can’t. When threatened, this species will either play dead (you’d give them an oscar is you saw it) or they spread their “hood”, hiss, and false strike (strike with their mouth closed). It’s an impressive production for a snake that has nothing to back it up! They usually stay under 3 feet in size but come in a variety of colors that include jet black, some have patterns with a lot of orange and some have more yellow.
Copperhead I had to include the infamous Copperhead to this list! Of the 6 venomous species we have here, this species is the most common. Copperheads are a highly adaptable species that seem to do just fine in urban and rural environments. Adults stay around 3 feet in length but are a little stockier than other species like Corn Snakes or Racers. Their diet consists of lizards, rodents, birds, and other snakes on occasion. In their natural, wooded habitat this species is the master of camouflage having the ability to disappear in plain sight into the leaf litter. A
Snakes need to be respected. If you see one on your property or around your yard, the best course of action is to leave it alone. Most of the time once they realize you’re on to them they make
Copperhead bite rarely causes deaths but still requires medical attention as soon as possible! You’ll often see these pit-vipers at dusk or after dark when the heat of the day has passed as they look for food or mates.
tracks to somewhere safe. Keep in mind too, a majority of snakebites happen when someone is trying to kill the snake! Regardless of the species, snakes are all necessary for the environment and do more
good than people realize. Having a few on your farm isn’t a bad thing since they’re helping to keep your feed and crop pest free!
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z z Bu
April 1
The
pe n i p a h l loca
21st Annual KidFest 10-2 PM // Cross Creek Shopping Center, Beaufort Touch-A-Truck 11 AM- 2 PM // Tanger 1 Outlet Spring Celebration and Sheep Shearing 10-4 // Oatland Island Wildlife Center
n gs
April 1-2
April 8
Boat and Fishing Show April 1st: 10 AM, April 2nd: 3 PM // Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
Taste of Bluffton 1-5 PM // Calhoun St., Bluffton Savannah Women’s Marathon & 5K 10 AM- 8 PM // Forsyth Park, Savannah
April 14-15 CGBG’s Spring Plant Sale Coastal GA Botanical Gardens, Savannah
April 15
April 30
May 6
14th Annual Softshell Crab Festival Port Royal
MCAS Beaufort Air Show 10 AM // Beaufort
Faerie and Gnome Festival 10-2 // Oatland Island Wildlife Center
May 7
May 13
May 20
Annual Doggie Carnival 12-4 PM // Forsyth Park, Savannah
Bluffton’s Mayfest 2017 10 AM // Calhoun St., Bluffton
Beaufort Water Festival 5K/15K 7-10 AM //Beaufort
UPCOMING EVENTS Homegrown Heroes: The Lowcountry in World War II APRIL 1, 12:00-3:00 Living History with Captain William Hilton APRIL 12, 4:30 Meet and Greet with the Gopher Tortoise! APRIL 21, 4:30 Lafayette and the Rights of Man APRIL 27, 4:00 The History and Art of Indigo Dyeing MAY 6, 10:00-4:00 Steam Locomotive History MAY 31, 5:30 17
Q&
n i m a l
T
he beautiful and good-natured Marsh Tacky are as rare as they are cherished. It's no wonder that these horses, whose history is as rich as the Carolina marsh itself, attract good-natured humans to have a voice for them. Erica Veit is one of those people, and we caught up with her to tell us a bit about her non-profit, the Daufuskie Marsh Tacky Society.
How do you introduce yourself and your work? My name is Erica Veit and I’m the Founder and Executive Director of the Daufuskie Marsh Tacky Society. I have been a horse sports enthusiast and advocate for equine welfare since I could hold a pencil or read a book growing up in Ft. Worth TX. I have been in the Lowcountry since 1999 when I moved to Savannah to attend SCAD and competed with their equestrian team. When did you start the Daufuskie Marsh Tacky Society? We organized in September of 2015 and received our 501c3 charitable award status from the IRS in February of 2016. What is it about the Marsh Tacky that sparks so much interest? The horse is about so much more than meets the eye. The history, heritage and legacy that the Marsh Tacky represents for South Carolina belongs to all of us and it should be celebrated by everyone. What does the Society do? Our mission is to promote and protect the critically endangered Marsh Tacky through breeding, training and sales plus educational and special events programming. We have established the foundation for our main goal of breeding, by selecting a stud colt and broodmare which may be expecting this year! Why is the Marsh Tacky so unique to our area? The Marsh Tacky was brought by Spanish conquistadores and settlers alike on ships in the 1500’s. They were left upon our barrier islands here in the Lowcountry where they thrived independently in relative isolation for hundreds of years. They were eventually domesticated, and thanks to their contributions to agricultural, development, transportation and wartime efforts
the Marsh Tacky was designated our South Carolina State Heritage Horse in 2010 by Mark Sanford. Are the Marsh Tacky on Daufuskie different from other populations nearby? University studies have determined that the Marsh Tacky is genetically unique compared to other breeds of horses. They are prized for being smaller sized horses with cool, easy going temperaments that are easy to train in any discipline. They are also adapted to our hot, swampy climate. Some Marsh Tackies possess a unique, smooth, fifth gait which is called the Swamp Fox Trot. Do they have a historical significance? The Marsh Tacky was an integral part of South Carolina history, heritage and culture. They were the mount of choice for Francis Marion whom defeated British cavalry in the American Revolution. They were used to patrol against Nazi Uboats on Hilton Head by the Coast Guard Beach Pounders during WWII. After the Civil War, every Gullah family had a Marsh Tacky in their yard. What can people do if they want to get involved? We are currently seeking dedicated volunteers, student interns and staff positions. Furthermore we are seeking community partnerships and corporate sponsorships for upcoming events. Individual donors can find us on Guidestar.org. Please contact erica@ daufuskiemarshtackysociety. org for details!
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EXOTIC
10
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O
ur world is filled with pretty, cute, and elegant mammals and birds that are universally loved and adored. This list is going to have none of those. The top 10 for this issue is pulling it’s contenders straight from the underworld of creepycrawly creatures that look like aliens from another planet. This is the top 10 weirdest bugs in no particular order because they’re all awesome!
Giant Tailless Whip Scorpions The Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula: We just couldn’t resist adding a spider or two onto this list. We know, we know, a lot of people HATE spiders but there’s is absolutely no denying that an electric blue tarantula isn’t one of the coolest things you’ve ever laid eyes upon! Hailing from a very small range in central southern India, this species of tarantula has been highly sought after in the hobby even with their common availability. The genus these spiders belong to, Poecilotheria, are fairly large, arboreal tarantulas that are all native to India and Sri Lanka. Sapphire Ornamentals and their relatives all possess a potent, but non-lethal, venom and typically have a not so friendly disposition to match. Unfortunately, these beautiful spiders are listed as critically endangered due to habitat destruction in their tiny 39 square mile range.
Vinegaroons The funny thing about a lot of bugs is they look A LOT worse than they actually are. Vinegaroons and their relatives are a prime example! These bizarre bugs are in the Whip Scorpion family and look like the thing of nightmares. Believe it or not, these bugs are virtually harmless! Their main line of defense is the ability to spray a mildly irritating acid from the tail that smells similar to vinegar, hence their name. Their native range is spread from Florida to Texas and Mexico. Their diet consists of crickets, roaches, and other soft insects.
Taking the Freddy Krueger-esque nightmare creature to the next level are Giant Tailless Whip Scorpions. These bugs are particularly interesting because they’re prehistoric. There’s a lot of species in this group that range in tropical areas all over the globe. They use their long front pedipalps to grab their prey similar to a praying mantis except instead of being vertically oriented, they’re horizontal. These Whip Scorpions eat pretty much anything they can over-power, mostly being insects but on occasion small vertebrates. And just like vinegaroons, they’re harmless.
Brahmin Moth Caterpillars
giraffe weevil Certainly one of the oddest bugs you’ll probably ever see, the Giraffe Weevil is native to Madagascar. It should come as no surprise that their named giraffe weevils because of their strangely long neck that assists them in fighting and nest building. They feed on a specific tree in their range but there’s not much information on the species since their discovery back in 2008!
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It’s hard to believe that something so sinister-looking can be completely harmless! Looking like it jumped straight out of a Tim Burton movie, Brahmin Moth caterpillars are native to Bhutan. Aside from their looks, there’s really nothing terribly exciting about the species. They feed on a few plant species until they pupate into adults that are a brownish color with some intricate patterning.
camel spiders
peacock spiders At some point we’ve all seen the little jumping spiders on our porch or in our house. Peacock Spiders are in the same family as those but they take it up a notch! There are several species of Peacock Spider but it’s the males that put on the show. They get their name because their mating behavior is incredibly similar to Peacocks. The males fan their abdomens to try and impress females as courtship and either the female will be receptive or she’ll just try to turn him into a meal (typical of female spiders.) The whole Maratus genus is native to Australia.
With all the turmoil and news coming from the Middle-East, you’ve likely heard of Camel Spiders. They’re an odd, desert dwelling, arachnid that’s actually more closely related to scorpions than spiders but are nonetheless bizarre. Camel Spiders are the objects of a lot of myths. They’re nonvenomous contrary to popular belief and can’t do much more than pinch you with their powerful chelicerae that they use to eat other insects and small animals. Their size is often exaggerated as well with the biggest species reaching lengths of 6 inches.
From the East Asian tropics come Flower Mantids. These mantises look completely different from the ones we have here in the Lowcountry. Absolute masters of camouflage, these bugs are virtually invisible when waiting in ambush around Orchid flowers. Some species even have the ability to change color in coordination with their background in order to catch their prey of other insects.
scorpionflies Another prehistoric insect on the list, Scorpionflies look like some sort of mad experiment gone wrong when someone decided scorpions should have wings. But much like the other aliens on this list, Scorpionflies are harmless. These strange bugs are purveyors of dead organisms for which they feed on and are actually used by forensic entomology since they’re typically the first bugs to arrive at a cadaver.
antlions Antlions are kind of odd to put on this list. It’s not really the adults that are weird because the adults look similar to dragonflies. If you’ve ever noticed the small little funnel shapes in the loose sand here in the area, those are Antlion larvae. The funnels in the sand serve as an excellent trap for their prey where an ant or other small insect walks into the funnel and can’t get out. At the bottom of the funnel, just under the sands surface, the Antlion larvae use their large pincers to grab the prey and pull it under to enjoy as a tasty meal! Because the larvae are so small they’re completely harmless to humans and are usually so small that when you dig them up they’re almost hard to spot!
flower mantises
This list could go on forever with the endless number of species of insects our planet has to offer. The species mentioned were just some that we found the most interesting whether they’re found in our backyard or across the globe. Mother nature doesn’t disappoint when it comes to all the cool species of animals that we share this home with, bugs are certainly up there in oddity.
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Bees are a precious natural resource. From the huge commercial colonies that are tended to by teams of keepers to the wild pollinators that do their jobs without our care, they are vital to almost a third of our crops. But bees are in trouble - due to pesticides, habitat loss, and disease brought on by poor health (with no thanks to humans), we are seeing bees dying or simply disappearing by the millions. At this rate, we may see many species of bee go extinct in the next few years. Each issue, we will give updates on the bee plight, as well as information on how you can help.
Swarming Season
Ahh, it's that time of year - the days get warmer, the flowers start blooming, birds are drawing up blueprints for their nests, and honeybees begin to swarm. That last bit makes some people uncomfortable, but it's completely natural and typically a good sign it means that one hive of honeybees has survived the winter, successfully hatched a new queen, and has now taken half of that colony to start their own place somewhere. (Sometimes bees move because their colony has been encroached upon by territory loss or destruction by honey-eating animals. But in the spring, most of these bees are just coming out of hibernation ready to make a new colony and get to work!) They may look intimidating, but have no fear. Here's an overview of what's happening and what you should do.
Why are they here? Swarming bees are homeless and looking for real estate. But that doesn't mean that because they're parked on your mailbox, treehouse, or porch furniture that they're there to stay. Bees don't like busy places and won't be keen to build the hive there. They're actually just taking a rest. The Queen gets tired and stops, and the other bees swarm around her to protect her. They also send out other bees to scope out the area.
stay very long, it shouldn't be too difficult to just let them rest and wait for them to leave. Of course, keep kids and pets away. They'll leave you alone if you leave them alone.
What if I MUST move them? If for some reason you can't wait a little while for them to move on, the best thing to do is call a local beekeeping association. Many beekeepers will remove the colony (as safely as possible) either for free or for a low fee. You will have to schedule a time for them to come out to you, and you may find that the bees have gone by then! But of course, if you're concerned the bees look more like they may be trying to build a hive (which is unlikely but possible, especially if you live on a quiet, secluded property), you'll certainly want to give the beekeepers a call. Even most pest controls will request that you call a beekeeper. It's up to us to do everything we can to protect and conserve our bees!
"don't mind us, we're just resting!"
How long will they stay? Since they're just resting, it might be two hours or two days. Typically they're gone in a day, having gotten a good rest and are ready to continue their journey.
Are they dangerous? Because they don't have a hive or honey to protect, honeybee swarms are actually docile. They will only sting you if they feel like you're threatening their Queen. That means you shouldn't do anything to try to move them - put down that waterhose!
So, what should I do? Leave them alone! Because they don't typically
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find a keeper There are dozens of beekeeper associations in every state, plus hundreds of solo beekeepers who are skilled in relocating hives. Search online using your area code, or see specific listings by state at www.beeremovalsource.com.
Are you a beekeeper? We'd love to hear from you! We're always looking for news and tips that anyone can use to help bees. Send us an email at info@tailsofthelowcountry.com.
Fonzy's Story By Vanessa Lewallen
L
ooking at old photos, you would think that these two kittens were new intakes for the rescue. They look typical of kittens roaming the street – dirty, hungry, scared. But the photo is nearly 13 years old, and they are my cats, my first rescues. I didn’t intend to keep them. Relatively new to Savannah, finding help for these kittens proved challenging. I was told I could sit with an organization at Petsmart on the weekend, but they had to be tested for Feline Leukemia and current on vaccines. Ok, sure. I’m a single gal working two jobs to make ends meet, but I’ll make a ‘donation’ to their care if if means helping to find them a good home. And then I’ll head to Petsmart on a Saturday in July where I’m surrounded by people, not necessarily looking to adopt kittens, but bringing in their own cute, fluffy, wide-eyed and friendly kittens, also available for adoption. My first experience with kitten season in Savannah. I packed up my plain, terrified domestic shorthair kittens and went home discouraged. Later that week I heard something that caught my attention. My non-social cats were purring! They were curled up next to my dog. And that was that; they were mine for good. Fast forward 12 ½ years. (I got married and I became we.) In 2012 we had said a sorrowful goodbye to our dog; the female cat, Tess, who never really warmed up to any other human except me, became especially clingy after losing her canine friend. Fonzy has always been one to roll with the punches and adjust. Not long after the passing of our dog we started volunteering in animal rescue. We’ve fostered several dogs and literally, countless cats have come through our doors. Fonzy and Tess have said hello and goodbye over and over as we
we have worked tirelessly to help homeless animals recover from a myriad of illnesses and go on to find families of their own. But now we are facing an illness on the home team. Late summer 2016 we took Fonzy to the vet for his annual check-up. He’d been a bit cranky and had lost a little weight. Not terribly unusual for a cat making his way into his senior years, but worth mentioning to the vet. He has always had dental issues, so we attributed the weight loss to not eating well and scheduled a dental. (The crankiness we assumed could be related to the foster cat we had at the time, who seemed to want to rule the house.) After his dental in October and a re-check a few weeks later, he seemed to be better and had, in fact, gained a smidgen of weight. But through the winter I noticed that Fonzy was losing weight again. And more weight than the average ‘old cat.’ Another visit to the vet, labwork and yes please, let’s just do an x-ray while we’re here because traveling with this screaming cat gives me such anxiety I’m going to need medication. Oh, there’s something unusual in his abdomen. Referral to internist. Ultrasound. 3 cm mass. Needle 23
a spi r ate . Carcinoma. Pancreas. More tests? The dollar signs are making my head spin. Will they tell me anything that will alter treatment? No. Oncologist. And so here we are. Flush with emotion over the right thing to do for the cat. Make him comfortable? Treatment? How long? Is it growing slow or fast? We don’t know. Surgery – not a favorable option. Radiation? Again, not a favorable option. Oral chemotherapy drugs? Possibly, although visions of torturing my cat and chasing him through the house hoping to give him a pill are racing through my mind. He hates traveling. How much follow-up will there be? Will he feel any better? Will he start hiding from me? Will he become fearful of me? Can I do this? And is it worth it???
Books For People Who Love Animals
&BOOKS
Amadeus The Leghorn Rooster Genre: Children's Selection Written by Delores B. Nevils Illustrated by Jonathan Green
G
rowing up on a farm in New Jersey, I took care of different kinds of animals, but my favorite were the three baby chicks I got to take home from school one day in a little cardboard box, after watching them hatch in an incubator in my classroom. I was fortunate when those chicks grew into two hens and rooster, because my parents told me that meant we would have fresh eggs every day. Once the hens began to lay eggs, the fun I would have pulling on my dad’s big rubber boots and heading out to to the chicken coop each day, excited for the warm, brown eggs I would find in the nests. However, I would soon learn that the rooster was not very fond of me coming into the chicken coop. Those big rubber boots became more protection from the pecking and chasing around the barn yard by that rooster, and the ‘cock-a-doodling’ by that crazy bird was enough to drive a small kid crazy. But still, I strapped on those boots and tried to show that rooster who was boss. While this went on for quite some time, one day the cold Jersey winter got the best of that old rooster. I have to admit, collecting the eggs was a little less exciting from that point on, but I felt he was still in that barnyard, keeping me in check. So is the true story of Amadeus The Leghorn Rooster, by local author Delores B. Nevils and illustrated by the talented Jonathan Green. Ms. Nevils, the ‘Widow Lady’, writes of her small, colorful cottage on St. Helena Island and the two kittens, a mother cat and two dogs that live with her. One day, a magnificent leghorn rooster shows up, and in time begins strutting and cock-a-doodling all around the yard, showing the animals he is the boss. The other animals soon find they aren’t too fond of him, as he is taking all the attention of the Widow Lady, and try to find a way to get him to leave. The story includes vibrant illustrations that reflect the beauty of the Lowcountry and the stories that are a part of it. Maybe some day, if you are on St. Helena Island, you will be fortunate to hear the story of Amadeus from the Widow Lady herself. By Linda Burton, Beaufort County Educator
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Shelters & Refuges Georgia American Black+Tan Coonhound Rescue 912-398-0552 Coonhoundrescue.com Bryan Animal Caregivers 912-727-2694 | bryanac.org Bulloch County Animal Shelter 81 Mill Creek Rd, Statesboro 912-764-4529 bullochcounty.net/animal-shelter Chatham County Animal Control 7215 Sallie Mood Dr, Savannah 912-351-6750 animalcontrol.chathamcounty.org Coastal Pet Rescue PO Box 30462, Savannah 912-228-3538 coastalpetrescue.org D.R.E.A.M dreamrescue.org Dachshund Rescue of North America 127 Brandywine Rd, Savannah 912-398-1892 | Drna.org Effingham County Animal Control 307 GA-119, Springfield 912-754-2109 effinghamcounty.org F.A.C.T.S. 110 Olde Towne Rd, Savannah 912-484-4438 GRRR! Savannah | 912-656-9792 g-r-r-r.com Humane Society for Greater Savannah 7215 Sallie Mood Dr, Savannah 912-354-9515 humanesocietysav.org Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia Inc 4627 US-17, Brunswick 912-264-6246 | hsscg.org One Love Animal Rescue, Inc Savannah | 912-572-1251 Oneloveanimalrescue.com P.A.W.S (Pets Are Worth Saving) 410 Hickory St, Springfield 912-754-6033 Petsareworthsaving.com Retire Retrievers Rescue, Inc. Savannah | 909-802-6297 retiredretrievers.org The Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County 105 North College St, Statesboro 912-681-9393 statesborohumane.org Save-A-Life Savannah | 912-598-7729 Savealifepets.org Save Our Souls Dog Rescue (S.O.S) 1231 W E Callaway Rd Claxton 912-547-4129 saveoursoulsanimalrescue.org Second Chances Equine Rescue Inc | 7663 GA-196, Hinesville 912-385-8512 | Scer-ga.org Tabby Tales Cat Rescue Savannah, Ga tabbytalesrescue.org South Carolina Beaufort County Animal Shelter 23 Shelter Church Road Beaufort 843-255-5010 | bcgov.net Frances R. Willis SPCA 136 4 Paws Ln, Summerville, SC 29483 | 843-871-3820 summervillespca.org Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter 33 Poor Farm Rd, Walterboro 843-893-2651 | Foccas-sc.org
Hilton Head Humane Association 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island | 843-681-8686 hhhumane.org H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue 1044 Eagle Harbor Ln, Summerville 843-412-3519 hopeacresrescue.org Jasper Animal Rescue Mission (JARM) 1352 Carters Mill Rd, Ridgeland 843-726-7799 JARMission.org L.E.A.R.N. Horse Rescue 6854 Ethel Post Office Rd, Meggett 843-991-4879 Learnhorserescue.org Lovable Paws Rescue PO Box 688, Hardeeville 843-422-1549 lovablepawsrescue.com Maranatha Farm Rescue for Tails 342 Crabapple Ln, Ridgeland 843-816-6676 Maranathafarm.net Palmetto Animal League Adoption Center 56 Riverwalk Blvd, Ridgeland 843-645-1725 Palmettoanimalleague.org Rogue Rescue & Sanctuary 15 Tillman St, Bluffton 843-816-0097 | roguerescue.org Tabby House 2127 Boundary St, Beaufort 843-255-5031 Tabbyhousebeaufort.com Nonprofit Associations Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society Augusta Augustaaikenaudubon.org Charleston Natural History Society PO Box 504, Charleston charlestonaudubon.org Coastal Georgia Audubon Society PO Box 21726, St Simons Coastalgeorgiabirding.org Daufuskie Marsh Tacky Society Box 87 Daufuskie Island, SC 29915 843-290-9119 daufuskiemarshtackysociety.org Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center 243 Appaloosa Way, Guyton 912-728-3728 faithetc.org Folly Beach Turtle Watch Folly Beach | 843-588-2433 follyturtles.com Georgia Beekeepers Associations 534 Mt Gerizim Rd, Mableton 770-732-6007 Gabeekeeping.com Hilton Head Island Audubon Society PO Box 6185 Hilton Head Island Hiltonheadaudubon.org Heroes on Horseback P.O. Box 3678, Bluffton 843-757-5607 Heroesonhorseback.org Island Feral Cat Project 912-777-3289 islandsferalcatproject.org Lowcountry Raptors 2509 Lumber Rd, Ruffin 843-908-3235 Lowcountryraptors.org Oconee Rivers Audubon Society PO Box 81082 Athens oconeeriversaudubon.org Ogeechee Audubon Society PO Box 13423 Savannah, GA Ogeecheeaudubon.org SCDNR - Marine Turtle Conservation Program 217 Fort Johnson Road Charleston 843-953-9015 dnr.sc.gov/seaturtle
South Carolina Waterfowl Association | 9833 Old River Road, Pinewood 803-452-6001 | scwa.org The Bee Cause Project Savannah, GA thebeecause.org The Kiawah Conservancy 843-768-9166 kiawahturtles.com Waddell Maritime Center 211 Sawmill Creek Rd, Bluffton 843-837-3795 Wish Upon a Horse Therapeutic Riding Center 190 Greenwood Dr, Hilton Head Island | 843-671-2586 wishuponahorsehhi.org Zoos, Aquariums & Educational Centers Atlanta Zoo 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta 404-624-5600 | zooatlanta.org Bee City 1066 Holly Ridge Ln, Cottageville 843-835-5912 | Beecity.net Center for Wildlife Education 1461 Forest Dr, Statesboro 912-478-0831 academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ wildlife Coastal Discovery Museum 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island | 843-689-6767 Coastaldiscovery.org Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens | 2 Canebrake Rd, Savannah, GA 31419 | 912-921-5460 coastalgeorgiabg.com Edisto Island Serpentarium 1374 Hwy 174, Edisto Island 843-869-1171 edistoserpentarium.com Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta 404-581-4000 | Georgiaaquarium. org Georgia Sea Turtle Center 214 Stable Rd Jekyll Island 912-635-4444 | Gstc.jekyllisland.com Jacksonville Zoo 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville 904-757-4463 jacksonvillezoo.org Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah 711 Sandtown Rd Savannah 912-395-1212 | oatlandisland.org Port Royal Sound Maritime Center 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie 843-645-7774 portroyalsoundfoundation.org Riverbanks Zoo 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia 803-779-8717 | riverbanks.org South Carolina Aquarium 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston 843-577-3474 | Scaquarium.org The Center for Birds of Prey 4719 N Hwy 17, Awendaw 843-971-7474 thecenterforbirdsofprey.org Friends of Animals Amy Bowman, State Farm Insurance 1284 Ribaut Rd., Beaufort (843)-524-7531 Aunt Laurie’s Bluffton | 843-940-7116 Auntlauries.com Baleada Express 4 Oliver Ct #102, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-706-9996 | baleadaexpress.com Big D’s Royal Tees 175 Boardwalk Drive, Ridgeland 843-987-1517 | bigdsroyaltees.com
Canine Palace 2805 Bull St, Savannah 912-234-3336 caninepalacesavannah.com Cocoon 6 Promenade Street #1008, Bluffton 843-815-3315 | Cocoonbluffton.com The Collins Quarter 151 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401 912-777-4147 | thecollinsquarter.com The Cottage Cafe 38 Calhoun St, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-0508 Thecottagebluffton.com Erica Veit, Realtor 2 North Forest Beach Drive, Suite 119, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843-290-9119 | charteronerealty.com Highway 21 Drive-In 55 Parker Dr, Beaufort 843-846-4021 | hwy21drivein.com Hillbilly Hound Pet Boutique 61 Riverwalk Blvd Unit H Ridgeland, SC 29936 | 843-645-7777 /Hillbillyhoundpetboutique/ Hunter Cattle 934 Driggers Rd, Brooklet 912-823-2333 | Huntercattle.com Jack Frost Homemade Ice Cream 25 William Pope Dr, Okatie 843-705-5669 jackfrosticecream.com Ligato’s Fine Jewelry 80 Baylor Dr #106, Bluffton 843-757-8865 ligatosfinejewelry.com Noble Beast Dog Training Savannah (904) 571-0455 facebook.com/noblebeasts Nosoco 175 Boardwalk Drive, Ridgeland 843-882-7801 | Nosoco.com OCY Originals - Custom Dog Collars etsy.com/shop/OCYOriginals Pirate’s Island 8 Marina Side Dr, Hilton Head Island | 843-686-4001 Piratesislandgolf.com Pooler Veterinary Hospital 608 US-80, Bloomingdale, GA 31302 912-748-0709 | Poolervet.com Sprout Mama Hilton Head Island | 843-683-0827 sproutmomma.com Tails of the Lowcountry 175 Boardwalk Drive, Ridgeland 843-882-7801 tailsofthelowcountry.com The Cottage 38 Calhoun St, Bluffton 843-757-0508 thecottagebluffton.com The Juice Hive 14 Johnston Way, Bluffton 843-757-2899 thejuicehivebluffton.com The Sugaree 142 Burnt Church Rd, Bluffton 843-290-8585 Timeless Interiors 4376 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton 843-837-8088 timelessinteriorshiltonhead.com Treylor Park and Hitch 115 East Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401 | 912-888-TREYLOR treylorparksavannah.com Wright Square Cafe 21 W York St., Savannah 912-238-1150 | wrightsquarecafe.com Your Sound Stage Burnt Church Rd, Bluffton 843-683-7500
Vanessa Lewallen has always had a love for and deep connection with animals. Currently living with her husband in Savannah, GA, they share their home with 6 cats and a dog. Vanessa is the founder and president of Tabby Tales Rescue.
Brittany Parker is a native of Georgia, now living in Savannah. She has always had a love of animals, from owning horses as a kid to being a dog lover as an adult. Brittany rescued her dog Dozer, and also acts as a foster for a family run rescue. She and her family frequently act as bully breed advocates. Brittany is a Mortgage Banker for BrandMortgage. She works to give Dozer and her fosters the best life possible.
Linda Burton is a Beaufort County literacy teacher, mom to three great college kids, and lover of all animals. As a kid, she lived on a farm and had a favorite chicken named Henrietta. With her dogs, Daisy and Harley, she isn’t an ‘empty nester’ because they are the children who will never leave home. As much as she has tried, she has given up on the ‘no dogs on the couch’ rule. She just keeps the vacuum cleaner nearby.
Josh Kirkland is a 15 year marine aquarist. A Savannah native and currently resides within. Josh currently has a 90g and 75g mixed reef tanks.
Justin Smith is a lifelong lover of unlovable animals. He has kept a large variety of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids over the course of a passion that goes back to the young age of 6. In his spare time Justin enjoys cigars, music, reading, and annoying neighborhood wildlife with a camera. A Beaufort native, he resides on Lady’s Island. Justin is the owner and operator of Palmetto Coast Exotics
Hannah Seigworth counts her parents and cat, Buttons, as her biggest fans. Hannah will be the podcast maven of the upcoming Tails series and writes great articles in her spare time.
cl ssified Nubian Baby Goats for Sale Call Sharon • 843.694.3144
Huge, Gentle Chickens near
Great Milk Cow Needs New Home! Call Sharon • 843.694.3144
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Charleston. English Orpingtons & Brahmas. Contact Diana •
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Rabbits, Quail, Pot Belly Pigs. Call Bill • 843.726.1031
American, Olde English, English Call • 912.693.5703
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