Page 8 - Talk of Tequesta - March '25

Page 8, The Talk Of Tequesta

nonprofiT news

The Pet Cottage Wins $10,000

In Great Charity Challenge Pet Parade

Southeast Equestrian Takes First Place, Bringing The Mission Of The Pet Cottage To Life

The Pet Cottage is thrilled to announce that its • Children dressed as seniors, walking alongside “This was such a beautiful and joyful moment for The
incredible team, led by Southeast Equestrian, won first beloved pets Pet Cottage,” said Lisa Gendal, Chairman of the Board.
place in the Great Charity Challenge’s highly anticipated • A miniature replica of The Cottage, complete with a “We are incredibly grateful to Southeast Equestrian for
pet parade, securing a $10,000 prize to support the real dog inside, symbolizing the safe and loving homes the their dedication, talent, and generosity in representing our
organization’s mission of providing lifelong care for pets organization provides mission so beautifully. Winning this award means even more
in need. • Adorable miniature horses, adding a magical touch to resources for the pets and people we serve, and we couldn’t
With outstanding creativity and heart, the Southeast the performance be more excited!”
Equestrian team brought The Pet Cottage’s mission to life • Incredible teamwork and leadership, making this The Great Charity Challenge, hosted annually at the Winter
in a visually stunning way. The parade entry featured: inspiring vision a reality Equestrian Festival, brings the equestrian community together
to support local charities, with millions of dollars awarded to
deserving organizations. The Pet Cottage is honored to have
been a part of this impactful event and deeply appreciates the
support of all who made this victory possible.
For more information about The Pet Cottage and how to
support its mission, please visit www.thepetcottage.org.
About The Pet Cottage
The Pet Cottage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing lifelong care for pets who have lost their humans
due to death, disability, or deployment. Through its unique
guardian program, The Pet Cottage places these pets with
Forever Guardians, providing companionship and purpose
for seniors while ensuring the pets receive love and stability
for the rest of their lives.

norThern noTes

Loggerhead Shrikes – Nature’s Butcherbird

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

The Loggerhead Shrike making the prey safe
is a gray and white bird that to eat after a few days.
resembles a Mockingbird For instance, impaling a
at first glance. Both are toxic monarch butterfly
types of songbirds with a helps break down toxins,
similar overall gray, black making it safe to eat after
and white pattern and are a few days.
about the size of a cardinal Another reason for
or robin. The shrike has their macabre tendency
blacker wings, a larger to impale their prey is
head, a black mask, and a due to their tiny feet
heavy, hooked bill, unlike and legs. Their beak
mockingbirds that have grayer wings, a smaller head and and hunting abilities are
a thinner bill. The Loggerhead Shrike’s black mask acts similar to hawks and falcons, but their passerine feet They particularly like tree snags (dead trees), where they
like the black paint athletes wear to keep the sun’s glare are similar to songbirds and can only perch on branches can perch high up to look for prey.
from impeding eyesight. instead of using them like hawks and falcons to rip and These vicious, intelligent, ruthless birds are amazing
Where they truly stand out is in their unique hunting tear. The barbed wire and sticks hold the prey in place so animals in our area. Next time you see a gray and white
techniques. The shrike, a carnivorous bird, has a preference the shrike can eat it. Don’t judge their feet too quickly, bird, look closely and see if it might be nature’s butcherbird.
for lizards, bugs, and small animals, unlike the seeds and though; shrikes have been known to carry prey the same NPDES tip: Safely use and dispose of pesticide. If all
berries that mockingbirds enjoy. Their hunting style is both size as themselves. of the pesticide cannot be properly used, check with your
fascinating and terrifying for their prey. Shrikes hunt from Loggerhead Shrikes are typically found in open areas solid waste management authority to find out when and
above, diving down to snatch their prey in their hooked with scattered shrubs and trees, but the species can also where to properly dispose of this type of hazardous waste.
bill. The upper part of the shrike’s hooked bill features a be found in more heavily wooded habitats with large Photos by Lucas Shaffer,
pair of built-in projections called “tomial teeth.” These openings and very short habitats with few or no trees. NPBCID Environmental Manager
specialized “teeth” are used to dispatch rodents by striking
the nape of the neck, instantly paralyzing them, and then
shaking them with enough force to break their necks. They
are quick and efficient hunters, earning them the nickname
“butcherbirds.” Their genus name, Lanius, is derived from
the Latin word “butcher.” Shrikes can also hover over prey,
waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
These remarkably intelligent birds then impale their
prey on barbed wire, thorns, tree branches, or other sharp
objects to immobilize and kill it, if their beak hasn’t
already done the job. This practice, akin to a human’s
pantry or larder, also helps them store food for days if
food is scarce. A large pantry can serve to attract mates or
747-PALM
feed juveniles. This practice can also help remove toxins,
747-7256