July 27 , 2023 The Beacon • 19
Airmid Place rescues furry and feathery critters
By Jen Jones
Angie Pyle , co-operator of Airmid Place with her husband Shane , said her kids often call her Snow White because she ’ s always carrying a critter around that needs care .
Airmid Place began five years ago , but the Pyles had been thinking about starting a rescue for a while .
“ We have cockatoos , and it seemed like people thought since we had big birds , we knew how to help any bird that was hurt ,” Angie Pyle said .
One day while Pyle was sitting in their office on Main Street , a hawk flew into the picture window . It was only stunned , but the Pyles decided that was a sign from God . It was time to start their rescue .
“ It took a while to research how to even get started . It ’ s illegal to take in wild animals . Initially , rescues are not allowed to take fawns or coyote , due to federal regulations . Some larger facilities are taking them in now to try to set procedures in place so other rescues can do it too . Maybe next year , we ’ ll be able to ,” Pyle said .
They have helped squirrels , bunnies , raccoon and opossum , just to name a few . They are one of the few rescues in the state that will rehab raccoons .
Airmid ( Goddess of Healing in Irish ) Place can take in almost anything with fur or feathers .
“ If it ’ s furry , I get it . If it has feathers , Shane gets it ,” Pyle said .
They have helped squirrels , bunnies , raccoon and opossum , just to name a few . They are one of the few rescues in the state that will rehab raccoons .
“ Raccoons are the most difficult . They are expensive to rehab , and they take longer . When they leave us , they have been wormed and vaccinated against distemper and rabies . They won ’ t be able to carry those diseases . Coshocton has one of the lowest numbers of rabies in the state .”
Pyle said people often have the wrong idea about raccoons .
“ Most people believe they are just a nuisance . But I believe they have a purpose in our eco-system . God put them here for a reason ,” she said .
“ We go to classrooms or other groups and educate people about what we do and the animals we are helping . Other than healing , our main job is to educate the community about animals — to help them understand the animals so we can all co-exist .”
While Airmid Place does not take snakes , it can find help through its network of other rehab places in the state .
“ When a rescue starts , it is a Category 1 ,” Pyle said . “ They can only take small animals , and they have to volunteer with larger facilities . After three years they can become a Category 2 facility , which is what we are . I also took a rabies vector class , so that ’ s another specialty we have .
“ I fell in love with the little animals . Shane has rehabbed everything from hummingbirds to a bald eagle . With protected animals , we do triage and get the animal stable , then transport it to another facility within 24 hours .”
Pyle estimates they rescue and release an average of 100 animals a year . “ I had 40 baby raccoons earlier this year , so I ’ m sure we ’ ll be over that number by the end of the year ,” she said .
Once animals are healed or grown , she works with them to teach them everything they need to know to survive in the wild .
“ I use a baby pool and minnows to train the baby raccoons to fish . And we are lucky to have woods on our property so I can take animals out so they learn to dig for worms or climb trees . I have to be 100 % sure they will survive before I can release them back into the wild ,” Pyle said .
Pyle ’ s advice for anyone who sees a baby animal is to just wait and make sure the mom has abandoned the baby .
“ People find nests of baby bunnies in their yard , and they just know the mom has abandoned the babies . The truth is that momma isn ’ t going to come back while people are standing around the nest or sitting in the yard watching . I can give you ideas on how to be sure the nest has been abandoned ,” Pyle said .
If you find an injured animal , Pyle said , “ If you are able to move it safely , take it to a warm , dark place and keep the animal as calm as possible until we can come and get it . Don ’ t feed it . Everyone thinks animals are hungry , but some things aren ’ t safe for them .”
Pyle also reminded everyone it is illegal for anyone to take in a wild
animal and try to raise it .
“ Wild animals need to be wild ,” she said . “ People take in critters that they thought would be lifelong pets , and when the pet wants to be wild , they don ’ t want it anymore . It ’ s not fair to the animal , and then I have to retrain it so it can be safely released .
“ God put animals here for a reason . We need to learn to co-exist and do what ’ s right for the world . We have a favorite quote that says , ‘ It ’ s not whether animals will survive ; it ’ s whether man has the will to save them ’ — anonymous .”
Airmid Place accepts donations to buy what the animals need . Anyone who would like to donate or has an animal that needs help can reach out to the Pyles through the Airmid Place Facebook page or by calling 740- 610-5162 .
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