Miss Khaki 1994-2007

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007

There is a hole in my heart that can’t be healed. There is a face swollen from grief and tears. There is a hole in the ground that must be filled. As pain becomes unbearable, I think to myself, why? Why do I do this to myself? I didn’t have to be this raccoon’s mom; I could have a life. I could actually sleep from time to time if I didn’t rescue. Why do I do this?

Then I go to her room to retrieve her body and I see the bag of marshmallows. I begin to cry more and I remember the day we first met. It was April 1, 1994 when a wildlife officer called and said, “I need your help! Some college kid stole a raccoon from a nest to be a pet. He abused the raccoon. The raccoon looks really bad and none of the other wildlife rehabbers will take her.” Not thinking, I took her in.

Her name was Miss Khaki and she hated all humans. Khaki was afraid of water because her former “owner” held her under water. Her feet were oozing and infected from cigarette burns, and she weighed 45 pounds. I grabbed a bag of marshmallows and began the long process of gaining her trust. That day, I promised Khaki no adult wild animal would ever be turned away from our home.

I remember thinking no one person could change the world but, maybe two humans and a raccoon could. That night John and I sat in our finished garage with Khaki discussing our new little raccoon’s future and that’s when it hit us. This could not happen again! This was the birth of the 24-hour part of Foothills Animal Rescue.

I remember the first time Miss Khaki took a marshmallow from my hand. I remember the first time she chuckled at John. Now, as I lay Khaki to rest under our favorite tree, I remember why I do this. Miss Khaki taught me the meaning of friendship. She gave much more than she ever took. She gave me purpose. She gave me a mission. She gave me the courage to fight the good fight and I’ll never give up because of her.

Thank you, Miss Khaki. Piper will carry the torch you lit and everyday we will think of you.

- Tresa Adams, founder of Foothills Animal Rescue

Total Animals Released

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007

Foothills Animal Rescue accepted 3,282 rescues in 2005. That year, we had a 79% release rate.
In 2007, Foothills admitted 7,256, this time with an 80% release rate.
In the future, we hope to keep improving our success rate. It is because of donations made by the community that we are able to give these animals the care that they need. Please visit the "How YOU Can Help" section of this site and if you aren't using an item that is on the list, then please contact Foothills and make a donation. We always appreciate the help!