DELTONA — A deer named Forest has a permanent home to come to in Volusia County alongside otters, red foxes and lots of other furry brothers and sisters. But first, his future caretakers need some help.
Deltona nonprofit 101 Paws and Claws is raising funds to take in Forest, a white-tailed deer that can’t be released into the wild. The nonprofit is working on building his accommodations, including a fence and a barn, to make Forest more comfortable.
“We’re going to try to make it as natural as possible for him. He’s going to live his life out here,” said Meagan Farley, CEO of the animal sanctuary.
Forest imprinted on humans
From what Farley has heard, Forest has suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg as a fawn. He was orphaned as a fawn. While being cared for and bottle fed, he imprinted on humans. He looks to people for food, so he is no longer safe to be released into the wild, Farley said.
An animal rehabber in Volusia County reached out to Farley about taking Forest.
“It was kind of a rush thing, so we have a month to pull this all together,” she said on April 17.
101 Paws and Claws plans to take Forest into their sanctuary as soon as they can get his enclosure ready, she said.
The facility offers private tours to raise money for animal care. The nonprofit also takes donations.
Forest will have a wooded area to hide away in, if he chooses. He won’t have to interact with visitors to the facility if he doesn’t want to.
“It’s entirely up to him whether he wants to come out and interact with people on the tour,” Farley said. “We won’t bring people into the enclosure.”
The fencing, the bigger expense, is expected to cost about $5,600. As of April 17, the nonprofit had raised about $500.
How to help Deltona animal sanctuary care for Forest
101 Paws and Claws is “a USDA and FWC licensed 501(c)3 nonprofit sanctuary and educational facility.”
The facility cares for about 100 animals, including squirrel monkeys, goats, pigs, emus, opossums and capybaras.
“101 Paws and Claws does not breed, sell or adopt any of our animals. We are a forever home to the animals that come to live with us,” according to the organization’s website.
The facility also takes donations and business sponsorships.
For information, visit 101pawsandclaws.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Orphaned as a fawn, Forest the deer will move to Deltona sanctuary
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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