Enrichment Donations
February 19, 2016
Enrichment is a wonderful way to improve the lives of the animals living at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The enrichment that we employ at Turpentine Creek is geared to stimulate multiple senses for our animal residents. Thanks to generous donations – both monetary and objects – we are able to give our animals enrichment often.
Recently, we received a large donation from Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute and the University of Arkansas Recycling Center. They donated numerous cardboard tubes and boxes to give to our animal residents. We utilize these donations by adding scents, spices, and non-toxic paints. Sometimes we give the animals regular tubes and boxes, other times we use the tubes and boxes to create cardboard ‘prey’ for our animals to ‘hunt’. Either way the animals at TCWR love the enrichment items that we give them.
Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute holds a special place in the hearts of our founding family. Many members of the founding family have had to spend time at Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute. It was during one of the stays at the facility that Miranda Smith, daughter of Tanya Smith and Scott Smith, noticed all the cardboard being discarded by the facility. Miranda approached the staff and told them about our mission at TCWR. They were excited to help our animals out and ever since have donated on a regular basis to help our animals.
We have many supporters who donate items that we can use for enrichment, including: Christmas trees, pumpkins, boxes, tubes, bags, spices, burlap, cedar chips, and more. The animals and staff are grateful for these donations. You can help too by saving and donating your own boxes and cardboard tubes!