Who are our Critters?
How do you take care of our Critters?
How do you sponsor one of our Critters?
Our New Additions
Thanks, Sponsors!

Join the Critter Crew and help abandoned pets who have a home at the Ecology Center.

There are two ways you can help: you can actually come in and help us take care of our animals and/or you can sponsor an animal.

2003-2004 Critter Crew Members:

• Ileana Becker
• Xena Becker
• Dracy Clayborn
• Naeem Davis
• Christoff Dennison
• Desmond Deshawn Hughes
• Elizabeth Guenther
• Alyssa Nichols
• Sarah Schiff-Berger
• Rebekah Schiff-Berger
• Quinn Sjogerman
• Will Steinman
• Sam Sprague

Here's Naeem Davis (11, Haven Middle School) with Nate the Corn Snake.

Michael Urbach, program director, with Jimmie the Skink.

Sam Sprague, 10, expertly catching on of three sister Brazilian degus.

Ileana Becker, 10, supervises children feeding the Tortoise and the Hare (Bernie, our Sulcatta tortoise and Fiver, our domestic Rex rabbit).

The Spragues with the guinea pigs.

Kristoff Dennison with our gerbil.

And yes, here's Naeem again, but don't worry, he and Nate are good friends!

Xena Becker, 8, gingerly holding our African pygmy hedgehog.

Will Steinman, 9, pats our hermit crab. Will was our Critter Crew award winner last year.

Desmond Hughes with one of our Brazilian degus.



Dracy Clayborn with Bernie.



Quinn Sjogerman, 10, gives two thumbs up for Nate the corn snake.

Our New Additions

The Ecology Center welcomes new critters! "The Three Sisters", Brazilian Degus, were donated by Joan Andler, a teacher at King Lab School. "Bernie" the desert tortoise was donated by our friends at Thee Fish Bowl. Our albino corn snake was donated by Heller Nature Center in Highland Park. We have two new water turtles in our collection. The map turtle was donated by Jean Esch and family. The common snapping turtle was donated by Brian Cullen. We have also added a crayfish, hermit crabs and toads to our menagerie. The Critter Crew has been happy to take on the extra duties!

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How do you take care of our Critters?
First, choose a day of the week (call us for availability at (847) 448-8256). Then once a week, you (accompanied by an adult) come in and help us feed and take care of our adopted pets.

Your name will be on the Critter Crew board at the Ecology Center.

To take care of critters, volunteers should be old enough to cut up fruits and vegetables.
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How do you sponsor one of our Critters? Examine the list of animals available for sponsorship, then complete and return the Animal Sponsorship Application form. Your donation is tax deductible.

For your sponsorship you will receive:

• an official Certificate of Sponsorship
• a fact sheet about your Critter
• your name displayed for one year on the Critter Crew board at the Ecology Center
• a reminder one month before your sponsorship period ends

Your donation will help fund the following:

• veterinary care
• quality equipment
• appropriate dietary needs
• loving care from volunteers

All sponsorships are subject to availability. All fees are shared sponsorships.

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Thanks, Sponsors!

The critters would like to personally thank the following people for their Critter Crew Sponsorship:

• Daniel Asseo (Snake)
• Ben Heany (Hissing Cockroaches and Gerbil)
• Cole & Ian Garland (Fish)
• Fran Landt & JRC Sunday Morning Pre-K Class (Hedgehog)

Your donations on our behalf help fund all our necessary supplies, including equipment, food and veterinary care if needed. You're the best!

If you are interested in sponsoring an animal, please call the Ecology Center for more information at (847)448-8256. If you don't have extra time, but do have a little extra money, you can still be part of the critter crew. Sponsor an animal at the Ecology Center and your donation will help fund veterinary care, quality equipment and dietary needs for one year. To find out more, click here or fill out an application now!

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