COMMUNITY
Last year, a new raptor flight cage replaced
one of Oaken Acres’ oldest cages. In
addition, a generous donor funded a
new mammal predator cage, another
group of wild animals many centers do
not accept. Pat Marshall Construction
was instrumental in building the new
enclosures, donating much of his own
time. But none of the new cages meet
the standards needed for eagles.
To remedy that, Oaken Acres’ 2014
project is, “Start Seeing Eagles!” The
new cage will be at least 100-feet long to
allow for extended flight and pre-release
conditioning. It also will be able to be
divided into three smaller flight cages
for large hawks and owls. Birds of prey
were one of the groups with the biggest
increase in admissions in the past year.
Stelford’s 30 years of experience and
exemplary reputation makes her qualified
to rehab these giant birds. However, she
said without the new cage, she will not
26
PEOPLE
receive the permit for eagles. The new
cage will cost about $25,000. A benefactor,
Caroline, has stepped up and started off
the fundraising campaign with a pledge
to match all donations up to $10,000.
Caroline first came to Oaken Acres
several years ago after she had hit a
gosling with her car. She is committed
to seeing Oaken Acres live up to its
potential and Kathy’s dream.
“Once my family responsibilities were
lessened, I wanted to start donating to
animal causes, something I’d always
wanted to do but couldn’t afford,”
said Caroline. “I have given to the
big national organizations but when
it comes to who will be there to help
ME when I need it—the people at
Oaken Acres are who I count on!”
DeKalb County residents will have
many opportunities to help Oaken
Acres. The annual spring fundraiser
DEKALB COUNT Y I NV I R O NM ENTS M AGA Z I NE • M A R C H- A P R IL 20 14
“Babies Gone Wild!” is planned April 26,
at the Regale Center in Sycamore. A live
birds of prey program will be featured along
with catering by Taxco Restaurant, live
and silent auctions, and a new, homemade
soap line called “Dollars & $cents.”
Stelford said Oaken Acres is closing in on a
pretty impressive number—13,000 injured and
orphaned wild animals cared for since 1984.
That’s 30 years of saving rescued animals,
answering tens of thousands of phone
calls about wildlife, educating people about
compassion towards wildlife, and training
a new generation to continue the mission.
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