As we begin another year I think back over all that happened in 2010: the good, the unfortunate and the seemingly neutral, normal things that collectively make up the bulk of our days. Though the high and low events are the ones I remember best, and often judge our successes or failures by, I think it’s actually the simple, everyday occurrences that define us in the long run, and here at the sanctuary every day finds us focused on the basics of assuring a quality of life for those we’re humbled to serve.
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While war raged in different parts of the world, legislation was passed that aimed to assist humans and animals. While adversarial politics and environmental tragedies filled the daily news, ordinary people empowered themselves and those around them to spread an active message of hope and compassion by taking action on even the smallest scale to end suffering wherever it was encountered.
Staff members and volunteers of Born Free USA worked hard to spread the message of compassionate action, and each and every day at the sanctuary we delivered quality food, fresh water, stimulating environments and appropriate medical care to the primates in our care. Now those daily activities aren’t often seen as newsworthy and are rarely perceived of as glamorous, but they’re vital to creating a quality of life for everyone sharing this planet, and the best part is that no one has to be a public figure to affect real change.
An elderly long-tail residentrelaxes in a large open enclosure,
his days of isolation and
steel cages long behind him.
We are grateful to have been in a position to provide a new life for those in need, including Tyler, Bo and Poco, and we’re honored to have been part of a collaborative effort among five organizations to assist and provide permanent homes for 15 of the long-tailed macaques rescued from a New Jersey lab. We are also deeply humbled by the support of our contributors, without whom we could not do what we get up each and every day to do: our best for the animals entrusted to our care.
This new year is sure to be filled with highs and lows, setbacks and invigorating successes, and with your help the days will take care of themselves one after the other as we continue to focus on simply doing the best we can — each and every day.
Until next time …
Tim