On March 13 2020, the Tara Na Ri Pub on the outskirts of Navan, Ireland, shut its doors. COVID-19 made re-opening a distant dream.
But as it is with so many abrupt changes, it was also a chance for a new beginning. Ireland had an urgent need for a wildlife hospital. The stables at the back of the pub became the solution.
The pub is now the location for Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, where native Irish wildlife are rescued and rehabilitated.
This story is near and dear to my heart - not only because of my love for Ireland - but because of my deep appreciation and gratitude for the people who tirelessly care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
It takes incredible amounts of dedication and grit to do what Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland is doing. I have seen this first hand, because there are facilities around me in New England that, out of nothing, managed to staff hospitals with volunteers working tirelessly helping sick and injured wildlife.
The National Marine Life Center in Bourne Massachusetts is now one of very few locations for marine mammal rehabilitation in New England. This should catch the attention of anyone who knows the New England coastline well, as there is a profound need for rescue and rehabilitation facilities in the area. Every year hundreds of marine animals strand needing medical care on Cape Cod alone. NMLC does everything they can to meet that need. They rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in addition to offering educational programs and outreach to the community.
About 45 minutes outside of Boston is the New England Wildlife Hospital. This facility was incredibly important to me growing up in Massachusetts. It was, ands still is, the only facility that offers veterinary care for sick or injured wildlife in the area. They helped care for the birds and squirrels that found their way to me as a teenager. Their mission is wonderful: a care-based approach to science education, purposefully designed to provide critical veterinary treatment to animals in need while concurrently sharing knowledge with the community. The ultimate goal is preserving nature for future generations.
Now through April, Fischer Arts will be donating profits from the sales of our nature prints to these three wonderful facilities.
Spring will be a busy time for all of them, and we want to do everything we can to support.
It is wonderful to read about the work they do. Through the below links you can learn more, and also donate.
We are excited to start this fundraiser.
Find original, unique antique and vintage nature prints here -
and now we also have a page dedicated to collections and design ideas.
