HOME Living in North Georgia April 2020

APRIL 2020

YOU MAY THINK IT’S A PET BUT IT’S NOT PET STARS SHINE BRIGHT NEW PET FAMILIES MAY BE NEAR OR FAR $

4.95

THE PET ISSUE

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY AROUND PETS

• Always wash your hands—and your child's—after handling or being around animals or their waste, food, or supplies (like cages, water bowls, toys, beds, leashes, etc.). This is especially important before handling baby bottles and pacifiers or holding infants.

• Choose the right pets for your household. Do some research before getting a new pet. » Children under 5 years of age, adults over 65 years of age, and anyone with a weakened immune system should not have contact with rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry.

• Don't kiss, snuggle, or hold rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry close to your face.

These animals are more likely to spread germs.

• Always supervise children around pets. Don’t let them kiss their pets, hold pets close to their faces, or allow pets to lick their face or mouth.

• Keep pets and their supplies out of the kitchen or other areas where you prepare, serve, or eat food.

• Clean up after animals properly. » Scoop cat litter daily (especially if anyone in the home is pregnant) and change it at least twice weekly. Pregnant women should not clean cat litter.

» Always remove dog waste from private and public spaces.

» Clean cages, habitats, and supplies outside the home when possible to avoid contaminating surfaces. If that is not possible, then clean them in a laundry sink or bathtub and then disinfect that area immediately afterwards.

• Avoid rough play with animals to prevent bites and scratches. Teach children to play with animals appropriately. Do not let small children near pets that are eating.

• Clean bites and scratches immediately with soap and water, and seek medical care if the wound is serious or becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen; the animal appears sick; or if you don't know the vaccination status of the animal.

• Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance to avoid illness and injury.

www.cdc.gov/healthypets

311528-A

Accessible information: https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/publications/stay-healthy-pets.html

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APRIL 2020 6 8 12

SPOTLIGHT Some furbabies find forever homes far away.

GET TO KNOW Animals with the acting bug.

RECREATION Before you bring that pig home, read this.

ON THE COVER: Zeus, an adult male green Iguana, makes his home at Hand Me Down Zoo. Green Iguanas can grow to be 5 to 6 feet long.

Photo by Sarina Roth, Never the Rock Photography.

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8 THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Elberta McKnight

Elberta McKnight is an award-winning journalist, who has written for television and radio news, newspapers and magazines. Her experience includes creating unique live and taped segments for CNN and working for FEMA as a reservist in the External Affairs cadre. She was a double major at Centenary College of Louisiana, earning a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Psychology.

Pamela A. Keene

Pamela A. Keene is a journalist who writes for about a dozen publications across the Southeast and nationally. She frequently writes about travel, gardening and business.

She is also an accomplished photographer.

She lives in Flowery Branch.

April 2020 | HOME | 5

SPOTLIGHT

Going the Distance LITERALLY

TO HELP AN ANIMAL IN NEED

They are on their way to a better place. A new, loving home or perhaps an animal sanctuary.

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STORY BY ELBERTA MCKNIGHT

W

hatever the destination, it’s usually better than the set of circumstances they are leaving. They are rescues. They are abandoned pets. They are the cats and dogs that seemingly no one wants. Only somewhere, someone does want them. And the challenge now is to find a way to transport that animal to its new home, which could be in a different state. A network of volunteers, humane societies, veterinarians and animal groups in Hall County are making a difference.

Enter Diane Williams. When her Doberman Pinscher passed, Diane’s vet encouraged her to find a hobby that would bring her joy…make her feel like life is worthwhile. The answer seemed obvious. She joined Doberman Rescue of Atlanta and started going to meetings. She was eventually asked if she would volunteer to do a “transport,” driving a red Doberman named Honor to its new home in another state. “It was a fitting name for my first transport,” Williams grinned. When she reached her destination in Alabama, the new foster parent was running a little late, “so I wound up sitting in the back seat with this little boy having the best time while we were waiting on her. It was great!,” Williams said. That was her first transport; but certainly not her last. She was hooked. In fact, to this day, she still stays in touch with the woman who adopted Honor. And that’s part of the appeal.

Each volunteer drives roughly about two hours or so one-way; which represents “one leg” of the trip. For example, if ten drivers are involved, it’s a ten-leg trip. The drivers meet at a pre-arranged public place not far off the interstate to handoff the pet.

And the chain continues until the pet has safely reached its new location. And sometimes, it’s not just ground transportation; planes get involved.

There is a non-profit group called Pilots N Paws made up of people who own small private planes. The pilots volunteer their time and personal aircrafts to transport rescue animals.

“His name was Samuel,” Williams started, “and I took him to the Gwinnett County Airport and it was — for whatever reason — so emotional putting him in that plane and then just watching that plane as it ascended and became a dot and went away. It was “Not only do you have the chance to probably one of the more moving experihelp the dogs, but you meet friends,” Wil- ences I’ve had rescuing and it just gave me liams said. “I have friends on Facebook such an appreciation for these pilots who who are part of other rescue groups who volunteer to fly these dogs wherever they I’ve never met, but when something hap- need to go.”

Summer Andersen is a veterinarian pens with their dogs or one of my dogs, we all pitch in together and help with vet who lives in Hall County. “It’s emotional. bills. Or if someone’s dog passes away, we It’s emotional for the dog, too. It takes an emotional toll on you because you see all do something nice for that person.

“It’s just absolutely the best feeling kinds of situations. And they can’t speak for knowing that you are part of getting that themselves,” said Andersen. “But then you dog out of the situation that it was in — know you’re getting them out of that situwhich obviously was not good — and ation and that eventually they’ll be loved you’re a small part of bringing that dog to a in permanent homes.” A few groups she better life. It’s something money can’t buy. recommends are Evelyn’s Place Rescue in And it’s just a few hours of your time and a Gainesville, Perfect Pets Rescue, Inc. and a senior dog sanctuary in Winder called little bit of gas.”

Williams explains the transport process Frankie and Andy’s Place. like this: A rescue group, humane society or These non-profit organizations, like the veterinarian identifies an animal that needs humane societies, rely on donations, but to be placed in a new home and works to they need so much more. locate a new owner, foster home or animal “I think a lot of people think ‘I can’t help sanctuary for the pet. Volunteer drivers are the humane society because I don’t have a then sought to transport the pet to the new lot of money,’ but there are definitely ways location, which, many times, is in a new to help,” said Williams. “Do what you can. city or state. Most of the time, volunteer Don’t ever feel like what you have to offer drivers are found on Facebook. The rescue isn’t enough.” H group or humane society will post a message on their page and volunteers respond.

TOP LEFT: This abandoned stray was adopted Drivers are typically asked to complete an within two weeks from rescue. application to ensure the pet’s safety.

Taylor Lee, who has volunteered at a OPPOSITE PAGE: number of organizations, advises animal LEFT: Ms Darla, a pit bull, ultimately went to a lovers considering transport rescues to pit bull sanctuary in Tennessee.

RIGHT: A transport takes puppies to meet their “know their limits.” Know what they can new adoptive families in a northern state. and can’t do. “I wish I could do it fulltime,” she said. “The need is very high.”

Photos provided by Diane Williams.

April 2020 | HOME | 7

GET TO KNOW

Sprocket

Wags to Riches

CASTING LOCAL ANIMALS FOR THE MOVIES STORY BY ELBERTA MCKNIGHT • PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ANIMAL CASTING-ATLANTA

I

t’s 4:30 a.m. and they’ve already been working for hours. Today, they’re driving a load of goats to a movie set in Atlanta. Later in the week, it will be a snake. Next week? Who knows. They could be wrangling maggots for a seedier scene. Different day. Different script. Thus, is the life of Greg and Carol Tresan, owners of Animal Casting-Atlanta, the primary animal talent provider for movies, music videos, commercials and print in the Southeast. “I guess people don’t really think about some of the things we work with,” Carol said as she drove to set. “Like insects, bugs and roaches and crickets. We do those all the time. Rats. Things that aren’t really so glamourous. Then we’ve also done some really cool exotics, like lions, elephants. We did a rhinoceros for Black Panther.”

Some of the animals they own. Others they get through casting calls. Their data base has close to 5,000 available animals ready to go to set. “Everything from ferrets to parrots,” Carol quipped. She works with the furry, fuzzy guys, while Greg shares that mission and handles the calls for things like spiders and insects.

The Tresans operate a 15 acre animal training and boarding compound in Ball Ground, that’s equipped with a 3,000 square foot heated and air conditioned animalfriendly stage. That’s where they teach animal acting classes and hold their open casting calls. The next casting call is coming up; it will be this spring. And the Tresans will be looking for something very specific in each of the animals that audition.

“We look for that ‘look at me, I want to be here,’” Carol said. “When an animal walks into the room, we want it to be like ‘I own this room’. Like, for instance, we say one out of 100 dogs can make a film, and one out of 1000 cats can make a film because most of the time, if you take a cat to a new place, they’re going to hide under the couch or climb up the curtains to get away from it.

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Papillon, 5lbs Credits - Ozark, Insatiable, Venom, Star, Simon, Hilton, Dynasty, Ohio Lottery

Allie

Border Collie, 45 lbs Training - Animal Actor, Obedience, Agility, Sheep Herding Credits - The Walking Dead, Insurgent, Alvin and the Chipmunks 4, Insatiable, Bravecto, Multiple commercials

“We like the cat where you open his crate and he walks around and says ‘oh look, I have an entourage.’”

The next step is training. And Greg is quick to point out, some animals can be trained, others are simply wrangled and/or contained. “And when it’s wrangling days, like bugs or reptiles, you have to know those animals and what they want. What matters to them. What’s important to them.

And then you can motivate them,” Greg said. For example, a snake likes heat while a rat may be motivated by food or a safe place to hide. Others like touch or a toy. Whatever the motivation, Carol and Greg find it.

“There’s a lot to it,” said Greg. “It depends on what you’re trying to do, You have to discover whatever motivation you can that the animal has, and sort of manipulate the motivation.”

“We set up a positive working environment,” Carol elaborated. “So whatever it is that animal wants, they can get it.”

But beyond that, the Tresans feel some animals, like some people, truly do have acting ability. “I joke that we have some Border Collies that I just give them the script and meet them at crafty because they do everything else,” said Carol. “A lot of them, they get the feel of the scene and sometimes they improv. There are animal actors out there. And it’s so special when you do find those animals.”

Every animal…every insect, snake and spider all have contracts. And in those contracts, Carol and Greg request a representative from the American Humane Society be on set to ensure no animal is harmed during the filming. And there’s been a lot of filming. Carol and Greg each have their own IMDb page, which includes credits for The Hunger Games series, The Walking Dead, a number of Marvel flicks and scores upon scores of other films and television series.

Carol’s favorite set to work on so far has been the Sci-fi thriller ‘Insurgent’. She basically lived on set for three weeks with all of her horses and other animals. But it was the journey to set she’ll never forget. “I brought a bunch of our chickens and we hatched out chickens on the way to the set. Our incubator was plugged in to the truck because we needed chickens for a scene. They literally hatched out on the way to Insurgent.”

As for the actors the Tresans have enjoyed working with, Woody Harrelson, Ja-

Olivia

West Highland Terrier, 15lbs Credits - Widows, Game Night, Insatiable

son Bateman, Lenny Kravitz and Jennifer Aniston all top the list. But the real stars, in the Tresans eyes, will always be the ones that can’t sign autographs.

“Animals definitely have their own personality and like we said before, we like the ones who want to be on set. We’ll never take an animal to set who doesn’t beg to go.”

Monitor Animal Casting-Atlanta’s Facebook page for animal casting calls and other info. H April 2020 | HOME | 9

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THE 2020 WINNERS DIRECTORY

The listings below are from winners of Best of Hall 2020. For a complete list of winners, go to bestofhallcounty.com.

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DENTAL GROUP

FENCING COMPANY

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GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

770.532.7141 10 | HOME | April 2020

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THE 2020 WINNERS DIRECTORY

The listings below are from winners of Best of Hall 2020. For a complete list of winners, go to bestofhallcounty.com.

HEALTH FOOD STORE

HEAVY EQUIPMENT & TRACTOR

HOME AND COMMERCIAL GRADING

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UTILITY COMPANY

IN-HOME ELDER CARE SERVICE

MUSIC LESSONS

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PICTURE FRAMING

REAL ESTATE GROUP

AMBULANCE SERVICE/MEDICAL TRANSPORT

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678.780.0038

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USED CAR DEALERSHIP

770.532.9292 April 2020 | HOME | 11

RECREATION

Hand Me Down Zoo K MAKING A HOME FOR UNWANTED ANIMALS STORY BY PAMELA A. KEENE • PHOTOS BY NEVER THE ROCK PHOTOGRAPHY

erry Ervin readily admits she has a soft heart for animals.

It serves her well as owner of Hand Me Down Zoo in Winder, where she cares for abandoned animals, birds and reptiles.

“So many people purchase animals from pet stores because they’re cute, but when they get bigger, the owners don’t know what to do with them,” Kerry says. “When they purchase an iguana, for instance, they don’t realize the long-term complications and care requirements. Then they don’t know what to do with them.

That’s where Hand Me Down Zoo comes in. Kerry and her volunteers take

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these animals in for care for them, creating a menagerie that includes hedgehogs, chinchillas, ferrets, plus large reptiles like snakes and giant iguanas.

Kerry comes by her love of animals honestly. As an 8-year-old growing up in Florida, she negotiated with her mom to allow her to bring home turtles, reptiles and opossums she’d found injured.

“Mom told me I could have 24 hours LEFT: Kerry Ervin, founder of Hand Me Down Zoo in Winder, holds Bonnie, a Ball Python.

RIGHT: Cocky Cockatiel: 3-year-old Patrick is a Cockatiel who likes to perch.

with anything I brought home, then I had to let them go,” Kerry says. “I just didn’t want anything to suffer from an injury so she let me take care of them until they could be released.”

After high school, she joined the Army; she’s now active reserve. Kerry moved to Dahlonega in 2006 to continue her active reserve duty, where she also worked at an exotic animal sanctuary. Five years ago, she relocated to Winder and established Hand Me Down Zoo as a “silent surrender house” for people to bring animals, particularly exotics and birds they no longer were able to care for.

On a recent weekend, Hand Me Down Zoo accepted 16 surrenders.

Hand Me Down Zoo also works with not-so-exotic animals, such as bunnies, miniature pigs and canines.

“A family purchased a baby bunny for their young child, but when they handed the toddler the bunny, the child freaked out,” she says.

“One of our goals is exotic pet education, to help people understand that reptiles, amphibians and many mammals are not suitable as pets,” she says. “First, the child was way too young for any kind of pet, and second, he held on to it too tight and tried to pull on its ears. We ended up with the bunny here who will eventually be rehomed.”

Other pets who have come to Hand Me Down Zoo include a pair of miniature pigs adopted as babies. “The owners didn’t realize that even though they were called TOP LEFT: Romeo, a 2-and-a-half-yearold Bengal feline, is one of several cats who call Hand Me Down Zoo home.

TOP RIGHT: These Nigerian dwarf goats range in age from two weeks to two years.

BOTTOM LEFT: Even mini-pigs, like Hamlet, who is only 1 year old, can weigh up to 200 pounds as adults.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Ms. Mittens, an Argentine black-and-white tegu, may become 4 feet long.

‘miniature,’ they would grow to a mature weight of 200 pounds. They ended up bringing them to us.”

She says the same thing happens with reptiles, birds and other creatures. “A young python may be only five or six feet long, but they will grow to be more than 20 feet.” It’s the same with Iguanas, who as adolescents are less than a foot; they can be as long as eight feet when they mature.”

For the past three years, Hand Me Down Zoo has conducted tours by appointment for school groups. “We don’t need to advertise these; teachers hear about us and want to bring their students.”

The facility is also open to the public for April 2020 | HOME | 13

tours by appointment.

One of the challenges for Hand Me Down Zoo is feeding the animals and providing veterinarian care. Kerry has negotiated partnerships with animal food production companies, and purchases food in bulk. She works with several area veterinarians and clinics. She relies heavily on donations and work by screened volunteers, who help with constructing appropriate enclosures and habitats for the zoo’s residents.

“We have more than 250 animals —

about 100 different species — here and they all require particular care and have specific needs for food, shelter and habitat,” she says. “We appreciate donations and people who are willing to be ongoing volunteers.”

Hand Me Down Zoo is a United States LEFT: Spot is a Leopard Gecko who likes to be held.

RIGHT: Parakeets, like Jewel, left, and Harmony, have life spans of up to 15 years.

Department of Agriculture licensed facility and has satisfied legal conditions in Georgia to house animals, such as hedgehogs, that are not permitted in Georgia “If someone has a non-traditional animal they can no longer manage, they should not simply set it loose in the wild,” she says. “That’s cruel and in all likelihood the creature will not survive on its own.

That’s why we established Hand Me Down Zoo, to provide a safe place for them to live out their days.” H

Before You Adopt a Pet Hand Me Down Zoo supports pet adoption, but owner Kerry Ervin suggests the following tips before making a commitment to make an animal part of your family.

• Never purchase a pet as a gift for a holiday or special occasion.

• If you’re considering a pet, do your research about the species, its needs, environment, growth at maturity.

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• Avoid an impulse purchase because the pet is cute as a baby or adolescent. Are you prepared to care for it its entire lifetime?

• Remember that a new pet needs time to adjust to its new home and surroundings. Ease it into your home gradually, providing a smaller, quiet space for it to get used to sounds, smells and the environment.

For more information about Hand Me Down Zoo, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ handmedownzoo/.

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