LOCUST VALLEY, N.Y. (Jan. 23, 2014) – This past Sunday, Jan. 19, the Molloy College cheerleading team visited the “Volunteers for Wildlife” at Bailey Arboretum in Locust Valley, Long Island. The team became a sponsor of a wild animal that has to be kept at the arboretum for its entire life due to permanent disabilities.
Head Coach Caitlin Donach and the student-athletes donated $100 to adopt “Baby,” a red-tailed hawk. All the money goes directly to feeding and housing the animal.
“The reason we did this was to raise awareness for the wildlife that Long Island has,” said Donach. “Red-tailed hawks are actually native to Long Island. I believe it’s important to learn about and respect the wildlife here. It is part of our history and its imperative to be aware of these animals for their safety and ours.”
Red-tailed hawks are not the only animals at Bailey Arboretum. It houses many other species from possums and squirrels to ducks and owls. Each animal in the arboretum’s care and facility is native to Long Island.
To learn more about “Volunteers for Wildlife,” please visit the official website here.
To learn more about the Bailey Arboretum, please visit the official website here.
VW’s Mission Statement:
Volunteers For Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife hospital and education center founded in 1982, located in Locust Valley, New York. We are a volunteer based organization dedicated to preserving Long Island, New York’s wildlife and natural habitats. Volunteers for Wildlife accepts and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. We strive to educate the public about Long Island’s wildlife through education programs with schools, scout troops, senior centers and others.
If you have found an injured or orphaned animal, please call the Wildlife Advisory Telephone at (516) 674-0982 or e-mail: wildlifeadvisory@gmail.com. After 5:00 pm, e-mail is the best way to reach them.