The Oasis Sanctuary & Forever Home Donkey Rescue 3/19/2024
Trip Cost $20.00
This trip combines visits to two unique animal rescue facilities north of Benson, Arizona.
Established in 1997, The Oasis Sanctuary is a unique avian rescue and life-care facility, dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter and rehabilitation for companion parrots for which other rehoming options do not exist. In particular they are a refuge for exotic birds such as parrots, cockatoos, macaws and other Psittacine birds. Many of the birds in their care have “special needs”, little or no social skills or have suffered physical and/or emotional abuse resulting in undesirable psychological behaviors. The Oasis is often all that stands between life and death for these beautiful, sentient and endangered companion birds.
Upon arrival, we’ll divide into two groups, with each group given a 3-hour tour by Oasis Sanctuary staff. There are seven enclosures where the birds are not caged, and you’ll have ample time on the tour for some great photo opportunities. There’ll also be time for you to interact with birds that are so inclined. We’ll provide roasted peanuts in the shell for you to give as treats, so you may end up with a new avian best friend.
Find more information about the Oasis Sanctuary here. https://the-oasis.org/
We’ll take time out between 12:30 and 1:00 PM for a brown bag lunch at the Oasis (bring your favorite snack and beverage).
From there, we will make our way to the Forever Home Donkey Rescue. Forever Home has provided a loving home for donkeys since 1998. Many of these intelligent & beautiful animals have health issues because of neglect in their past. Others are in their 20s and 30s, requiring extra care and special feeds to keep them healthy.
The donkeys are roaming on 10 acres, and you can take pictures to your heart's content. If the donkeys don't want to come see you, you can walk within the Sanctuary to see them. If you have trouble walking, the Sanctuary will take you to them on a four-wheeler bike. Caretakers will be available to answer any questions and tell you the donkeys' stories--if you could understand what the donkeys have to say. The tour will last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Find more information about Forever Home Donkey Rescue Sanctuary here. https://foreverhomedonkeyrescue.com/
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (preferably close-toed), a hat and sunscreen, bring water, and be sure to pack a lunch or snacks.
For those driving, make sure you have a full tank of gas and good tires before setting out. The freeway exit is approximately 25 miles (40 minutes) from the Oasis Sanctuary, and the road to the Sanctuary turns from paved asphalt to a hard-packed dirt surface that can be a bit rough in stretches. Also, cell phone service can be spotty to nonexistent once you start heading north from Benson.
Meet at the Photography Club upper parking lot at 7:30 AM for carpooling, departure at 7:45 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.
Tom Parker will be our trip leader. Contact Tom at 618-304-1456 or tparker324@aol.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event.
GVR requires that every person participating in club's field trips must sign a one-time waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs.
Last date to cancel for a refund is March 12, 2024.
If you need to cancel please contact the Field Trip Coordinator Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.
NOTICE:
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
The club strives to provide several field trips specifically designed for members with physical limitations.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.