Local animal sanctuary enriches habitats with old Christmas Trees
January 8, 2020
Vinnie Roberts
With Christmas wrapped up and the new year already upon us, some citizens in Barry County are undoubtedly looking for a place to get rid of their natural trees. Thanks to a popular Eureka Springs attraction, residents in the surrounding areas have had a way to both rid themselves of troublesome foliage and do some good for the environment.
Turpentine Creek, a big cat sanctuary in Eureka Springs, Ark., spent the weeks after Christmas taking in wayward trees for the purpose of enriching their habitats. Turpentine Creek’s mission is to rescue abused and neglected big cats, giving them a home and care while offering the public a special type of viewing experience.
According to communications director Lisa Brinker, the trees are somewhat of a delicacy around the habitats of the big cats.
“The Christmas trees are great scent enrichment and textures for that cats,” explained Brinker. “We love giving them to the cats and just watching them tear the trees to pieces.”
Brinker continued, explaining that some special considerations had to be taken in order to ensure that these trees didn’t agitate the diets of the cats.
“We needed to make sure that all of the decorations are off, and this next part is important, if they decorated the tree with tensil, we cannot accept them,” said Brinker. “There’s no way for us to get all of that tensil off, and it’s bad for the cats.”
The refuge also turned away trees that were already in advanced stages of decay, so as to provide their animals with the best, most fresh products they could find.
“We don’t want really dead or brown trees that are falling apart, they just make a mess,” Brinker explained.
Through private donations and one bulk donation from a private business, Turpentine Creek was able to take in well over 200 trees between Christmas and Wednesday, January 8. At this time, the sanctuary has stated that no more trees are needed, but that this drive occurs annually and will occur again next winter.
For any questions regarding tree donations, contact Turpentine Creek at (479) 253-5841 or visit their location at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, in Eureka Springs, Ark.
Vinnie Roberts
With Christmas wrapped up and the new year already upon us, some citizens in Barry County are undoubtedly looking for a place to get rid of their natural trees. Thanks to a popular Eureka Springs attraction, residents in the surrounding areas have had a way to both rid themselves of troublesome foliage and do some good for the environment.
Turpentine Creek, a big cat sanctuary in Eureka Springs, Ark., spent the weeks after Christmas taking in wayward trees for the purpose of enriching their habitats. Turpentine Creek’s mission is to rescue abused and neglected big cats, giving them a home and care while offering the public a special type of viewing experience.
According to communications director Lisa Brinker, the trees are somewhat of a delicacy around the habitats of the big cats.
“The Christmas trees are great scent enrichment and textures for that cats,” explained Brinker. “We love giving them to the cats and just watching them tear the trees to pieces.”
Brinker continued, explaining that some special considerations had to be taken in order to ensure that these trees didn’t agitate the diets of the cats.
“We needed to make sure that all of the decorations are off, and this next part is important, if they decorated the tree with tensil, we cannot accept them,” said Brinker. “There’s no way for us to get all of that tensil off, and it’s bad for the cats.”
The refuge also turned away trees that were already in advanced stages of decay, so as to provide their animals with the best, most fresh products they could find.
“We don’t want really dead or brown trees that are falling apart, they just make a mess,” Brinker explained.
Through private donations and one bulk donation from a private business, Turpentine Creek was able to take in well over 200 trees between Christmas and Wednesday, January 8. At this time, the sanctuary has stated that no more trees are needed, but that this drive occurs annually and will occur again next winter.
For any questions regarding tree donations, contact Turpentine Creek at (479) 253-5841 or visit their location at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, in Eureka Springs, Ark.