{"id":54133,"date":"2017-01-04T12:32:09","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T16:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=54133"},"modified":"2017-01-06T09:22:03","modified_gmt":"2017-01-06T13:22:03","slug":"willows-wings-is-a-one-of-a-kind-animal-sanctuary-and-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2017\/01\/04\/willows-wings-is-a-one-of-a-kind-animal-sanctuary-and-rescue\/","title":{"rendered":"Willow\u2019s Wings is a one-of-a-kind animal sanctuary and rescue \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Willow\u2019s

Pictured are two dogs, including Scooter on the right, from Willow\u2019s Wings Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Maine, N.Y. that is devoted to caring for animals in need. (Provided Photos)<\/p><\/div>\n

Willow Sullivan, founder of Willow\u2019s Wings Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Maine, N.Y., is devoted to caring for animals in need. Described by some as an \u201cangel to animals,\u201d Sullivan\u2019s furry friends include domestic pets, farm animals and multiple exotic birds, among others, and a majority of which have been abandoned, abused, neglected or disabled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe animals that arrive here are not only welcome into my home,\u201d Sullivan said, \u201cbut also into my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

On her 20-plus acre property, Sullivan today cares for approximately 130 animals, a majority of them sent to her via referrals from veterinarians, or by owners who have entered a nursing home or assisted living facility or who have passed away, and sometimes by those who have some other difficulty in caring for their pet.  Through the power of social media, particularly Facebook, connections come from all over the United States and more recently, as far away as China and Thailand. <\/p>\n

\"Willow\u2019s

Pictured is Petunia, a victim of the 2011 flood, who had no fur and rotting teeth and was anemic with a UTI. Today, Petunia’s hair has grown back and is happy and healthier with help from Willow’s Wings, an animal sanctuary and rescue located in Maine, N.Y.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cSo many times people choose euthanasia as an easy way out,\u201d Sullivan explained, and added that more often there are animals that can be saved if given the chance and attention.<\/p>\n

Sullivan commented, \u201cMy goal is to make animal lives better.\u201d  Animals roam free on the property, and it is also Sullivan\u2019s goal, too, to find forever homes for some of the animals.<\/p>\n

An effort that started several years ago, and a love for animals that goes back to her childhood, it was in December 2015 that Sullivan saw the focus of her work become even more critical when Willow\u2019s Wings was approved for nonprofit status.  Through fundraising, donations and grant opportunities, the wingspan of what the organization can cover has expanded significantly. <\/p>\n

Primarily a one-woman show, Sullivan does receive help from faithful volunteers, and explained that she is always looking for new volunteers, especially during the daytime hours. Sullivan\u2019s day starts at 6 a.m. with feeding and giving animals daily medications, cleaning litter boxes and transporting animals to veterinary clinics and Cornell University, among other tasks. The work is nonstop caring for parrots, horses, cats and dogs, ducks, geese, chickens, pigs, rabbits and more.<\/p>\n

It is a tremendous amount of work, but Sullivan said, \u201cIt is always rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Willow\u2019s

A rescued cat hangs out in the cat room at Willow’s Wings Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Maine, N.Y. that is devoted to caring for animals in need.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sullivan started out caring mainly for cats and dogs, however over the years her efforts have turned into a sort of Noah\u2019s Ark.<\/p>\n

One rewarding story centers around Chamalea, a dog that was having issues walking. Chamalea was taken to Cornell on Dec. 22, where a CT scan was done and determined that the patellas, or kneecaps, had shifted to the insides of her legs.  With surgery, which is estimated to cost $6,000, the Cornell veterinary team assured Sullivan that Chamalea should be able to walk again normally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like people to understand that every animal\u2019s life has value,\u201d Sullivan shared. Sullivan explained that just because an animal has aged or requires extreme medical care that does not mean that people should give up on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is frustrating and depressing,\u201d Sullivan commented, referring to how the well being of animals is sometimes dismissed.<\/p>\n

One of Sullivan\u2019s most recognized rescues is a story about Scooter, a two-legged dog who suffered severe life-threatening injuries.  Now hailed a \u201cMiracle Dog,\u201d Scooter has become a celebrity at Willow\u2019s Wings, and along with continued care, can now run freely on the farm with a custom fitted cart. <\/p>\n

Sullivan keeps in contact with a few original owners of animals that have come to her sanctuary, and often snaps photos of a few parrots, and then emails updates to owners, most of whom are elderly residents in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.<\/p>\n

\"Willow\u2019s

Andy, a 40-year-old gelding that is treated daily for Cushing\u2019s Disease, is one of many animals at Willow’s Wings Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Maine, N.Y. that is devoted to caring for animals in need.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sullivan remembers fondly that her mother, who has passed away, called her daughter a \u201cPied Piper,\u201d and recognized that she bonded with animals easily as she took them under her wing, hence the organization\u2019s name, Willow\u2019s Wings.<\/p>\n

Sullivan shared that regular volunteers are welcome and has also hosted individuals and groups of visitors, many who have volunteered their time on the farm.  Sullivan asks that potential visitors contact her via email to set up a date to visit.<\/p>\n

As a nonprofit, Willow\u2019s Wings relies on donations and fundraisers, and welcomes an experienced grant writer for future projects.  Even as a nonprofit, there are rarely any discounts for Sullivan at area veterinarian facilities.   <\/p>\n

One upcoming fundraiser, \u201cDoug\u2019s Fish Fry,\u201d is scheduled on Friday, Jan. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tractor Supply located in Vestal, N.Y., and benefits Willow\u2019s Wings.      <\/p>\n

For more information about Willow\u2019s Wings, visit willowswings.com<\/a> or find them on Facebook.  Send inquiries or PayPal donations to willow6226@gmail.com<\/a>.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Willow Sullivan, founder of Willow\u2019s Wings Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Maine, N.Y., is devoted to caring for animals in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":54136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nWillow\u2019s Wings is a one-of-a-kind animal sanctuary and rescue \u00a0 - Owego Pennysaver Press<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2017\/01\/04\/willows-wings-is-a-one-of-a-kind-animal-sanctuary-and-rescue\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Willow\u2019s Wings is a one-of-a-kind animal sanctuary and rescue \u00a0 - 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