The Leader • Saturday, September 7, 2019 • Page 1B
Critter crisis
Hoot you gonna call? By Betsy Denson bdenson@theleadernews.com Wildlife rehabilitator Bonnie Bradshaw started 911 Wildlife in 2006. She was familiar with other companies that remove unwanted animals and thought she could do it better. “I was extremely frustrated by the thousands of raccoons, squirrels and other wildlife unnecessarily orphaned every year in every city in the U.S. by homeowners and wildlife control companies,” Bradshaw said. “I trained with a company in Canada that already had perfected the techniques for humanely evicting and excluding wildlife from homes and businesses without causing orphans.” Her company, which started in Dallas, expanded to Houston in 2010. Its Houston office is located in the Heights at 448 W. 19th St. There are also 911 Wildlife offices in Austin, Denton, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Bradshaw said most of the company’s staff members have construction experience. “Our technicians need to be comfortable working on roofs and under crawl spaces because that’s where most of the animal entry holes are,” Bradshaw said. “Each employee receives several months of in-depth training in wildlife biology and behavior.” Most of 911 Wildlife’s business involves trapped snakes, birds, opossums, skunks, raccoons and squirrels. In Houston, Bradshaw said the company receives significantly more calls about bat colonies in apartment buildings. Removal services do not
typically extend to coyotes or bobcats. “We solve coyote and bobcat problems by teaching homeowners how to reduce the food supply, restrict access to den sites and apply hazing techniques,” Bradshaw said. “The trapping and relocating animals is neither humane nor effective.” Some seasons for 911 Wildlife are busier than others. The peak is in March, April and May because that’s the birthing season for squirrels and raccoons. “Lots of homeowners hear noises in the attic and call us,” Bradshaw said. “During those months, we’re booked solid every day from dawn until dusk.” That was the case with Woodland Heights resident Emily Williams, who heard scratching in her ceiling. When she and her husband investigated, they found a raccoon in the insulation. It wasn’t alone. The mother raccoon had given birth to three babies. Williams asked for removal company recommendations on NextDoor and someone suggested 911 Wildlife. Williams also saw it listed on the Wildlife Center of Texas website. “It was a great experience,” Williams said of working with technician Nick Freeman. “He ran down the options that were available.” The one she chose involved building a one-way door that would bar the mother from the attic when she left again. Freeman was able to gather up the babies and place them in a reunion box on the Williams’ front porch. Over the next day, they observed the mother carrying them to a
entry hole on a roof or under the foundation of a house. The animal exits to find food and isn’t able to re-enter. “It works much faster than setting a trap and it’s much more humane,” Bradshaw said. The company provides a 10-year guarantee. In urban areas, Bradshaw said raccoons, squirrels, opossums and skunks will have multiple den sites within their home territory – like brush piles or hollow trees. “We evict and exclude them from human structures and they immediately move to one of their other den sites,” she said. It may seem counterintuitive, but Bradshaw said most wildlife problems occur in older parts of the city where there are large, mature trees and older homes with maintenance problems.
Contributed photo Nick Freeman, a technician for 911 Wildlife, handles a baby racoon that he found in a Woodland Heights home.
secondary, outdoor den. Williams said she appreciated being able to have the opportunity to coexist with wildlife. “(Raccoons) have such a tough life already,” Williams said. “I wanted to be respectful. They’re an important part of a backyard ecosystem.” The company doesn’t use traps of Contributed photo any kind. Bradshaw said her employees Removing owls from homes is a service use a one-way de- provided by 911 Wildlife, a Dallas-based vice that fits on the company that expanded to Houston in 2010.
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Doggett Ford dealership breaks ground on upcoming showroom By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Doggett Industries recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new $24 million construction and economic development project, Doggett Ford Dealership and Showroom, along with the Houston community and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Turner honored the team with a City of Houston proclamation for Doggett Industries Day during the ceremony for providing economic development and jobs for Houstonians. Currently operating in temporary buildings at 9225 North Fwy., Doggett’s Ford dealership is ranked as one of the fastestgrowing Ford dealerships in the U.S. The newest expansion to the Doggett Auto Group will bring a modern Doggett Ford dealership and showroom to a lot that is immediately north of Doggett Industries. Revive Salon and Spa expands Revive Salon and Spa – which already has a location
Contributed photo Doggett Industries CEO and president Leslie Doggett, left, poses with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner at a recent groundbreaking.
at 209 E. 20th St. – recently announced the opening of a second location in Oak Forest at 1822 W. 43rd St., the former home of Salon Studio Dean McNeely. Revive’s Arthur Rodriguez will manage the new spot. Oaktoberfest coming to
Candlelight Park Booth spots are now for sale for the upcoming Oaktoberfest event happening Oct. 26 from 3-7 p.m. at Candlelight Park. With area sponsorship, the plan is for the event to include neighborhood vendor booths sponsoring trick-or-treating, a costume and cookie-decorating contest, a pumpkin patch, a hayride and food trucks and food-and-drink booths. Early bird pricing of $25 for the opportunity to promote your local business and hand out treats to neighborhood kids is now available. For more information, visit OFHA.org. Pediatric dentist signed for Ella Oaks Center Revive’s Monica Danna said Dr. Christopher Chance is its first tenant in the new medical building on the corner of 34th Street and Ella Boulevard. Chance said he anticipates opening in early February with four staff members, but will grow to potentially 12-15 on staff.
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Registration for the National League of Junior Cotillions of Garden Oaks/Oak Forest is now open.
“New neighborhoods with few trees and brand-new houses rarely have wildlife problems,” Bradshaw said. “Older neighborhoods have up to 50 times more raccoons, squirrels, opossums and skunks. Those animals are generalists that find more food and more den sites in urban areas.” A lot of the company’s education efforts go toward helping others make their homes and neighborhoods less critter-friendly. “Most people don’t realize that they often unknowingly ‘invite’ wildlife into their home by providing food and den sites,” Bradshaw said.
National League of Junior Cotillions registration is open Tonia Harrison, along with
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co-director Carolyn Holy, heads up the National League of Junior Cotillions (NLJC) Greater Houston Chapters, which includes a chapter for Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and the Heights. The program’s motto is: “To act and learn to treat others with honor, dignity and respect for better relationships with family, friends and business associates later in life, and to learn and practice ballroom dance.” Registration for the Winter 2019-20 season of events is now open for students in sixth grade and up. More information is available at nljc.com/chapter/gardenoakforesttx.
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