By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Animals are their business.
This is what can be said about Jennifer Boyer and Nancy Barrows, who own the Twisted Oaks Animal Rescue in Niles.
The pair asked that their exact address not be publicized for fear people will drop off unwanted animals without them being prepared to care for them.
In 2002, the two began rescuing dogs for the Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue, and noticed that as time went on they were receiving more and more calls inquiring as to whether they would be able to take a guinea pig, a goat, sheep or any other type of animals.
A short time after all the animals started coming in, they decided to adopt a donkey from the Indiana Horse Rescue. Soon after this adoption took place, the president of this organization approached them wondering if they would like to join the Animal Protection Agency and be its Exotic Division.
Now being named to the exotic division means they don't just take the usual cats and dogs, but also an array of rabbits, goats, ferrets, guinea pigs, chickens, horses, birds and other pets and livestock.
The animals are acquired through either relinquishment - meaning that the owner gives up all rights to the animal - or the animal is dropped off at their location or they rescue it from a location that the animal isn't doing well in for one reason or another.
Once these animals have arrived at the facility, the goal is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect which is all to often found with pets and livestock, and to find a permanent placement. Their hope is for these animals to be treated like members of the family, to be loved and nurtured for the duration of their lives.
Twisted Oaks is a non-profit organization, which means that their operation is run strictly on donations and out-of-pocket funds.
They are always looking for donations of things such as kitty litter, buckets, brushes, bleach, dirt/soil, gloves, blankets and a number of other things.
Over the three years that the rescue team has been in operation, they have adopted about 300 animals out to new and loving homes, and not just locally either. Some of the animals have gone as far away as Massachusetts, Kentucky, Wisconsin and California. People who have adopted from Twisted Oaks have often come back to adopt another animal. They also tell people they know, who will then too adopt an animal from them. The adoption process through the shelter is quite stringent. Prospective adopters must fill out an application, which is located on their web site. Once this occurs, the women go through a very in-depth review process. In the end, before any animal goes to a new home, they arrange a meeting with the person or persons looking to adopt.
The hope of the two women is that they really are making a difference in the lives of animals, even if it is a small one. They wouldn't trade what they do for anything in the world. For more information on the Twisted Oaks Animal Rescue check out their web site at www.twistedoaksanimalrescue.com or call them at 684-3578.