Dan's Papers - September 21, 2007 -

The North Fork of Long Island is almost totally surrounded by water. One does not have to go very far to be at some sort of shoreline. Over the years almost everyone who lives on the North Fork has seen a whale, a seal, a seal turtle or perhaps even a dolphin. There are some who wanted to maybe take them home somehow. So you might like to adopt a dolphin, a seal, a whale or a sea turtle, but it may not fit in your living room or basement? What options do you have?

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation Gift and Adoption Center may be your answer. What they have done is put together a situation just like some of those adopt programs that have people assisting in the raising of foster children in Africa. For the cost of $30.00 one can pick out an animal from a web page of mug shots and then proceed to get a kit of pictures and facts about the animal you chose. In fact you get an adoption certificate ready for framing, two photos of your adopted animal and a fact sheet along with knowing you are somehow helping all rescued fish and mammals the Riverhead Foundation finds it its possession each year.

The animals up for adoption are whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and seals. Each year many of these animals are rescued due to boating accidents or just the fact that they wander to places they should not be. This innovative way to raise donations for their upkeep is both fun and informative as well as tax deductible. It is a great way to teach young children about these fine animals or could make a great surprise office gift and birthday gift. On the other hand it may be fun to go through the catalogue of animals on the website and research in great detail with your family in order to choose which animal you just might like to symbolically assist. Unlike the African foster programs you do not get letters monthly from the animals nor progress reports from their teachers but you still get a connection to your donation, along with some information about the specific type of animal you are choosing to help.

It may be noted that you can also become a member of the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program, which is dedicated to the rescue of stranded mammals that need rescue in order not to die. Membership helps finance and provide both medicines and food needed in the rescue and release programs. There are whales that have been serviced, saved and then released that are still seen on the local whale tour. There is a list of donors and adoption families that played a role in the whale's survival. That is something to be proud of.

So how does one do this? One visit to the website www.riverheadfoundation.org and all is right there for you to donate money, become a member, pick out a whale, or seal, or sea turtle or dolphin, as well as see their fact sheets. After selecting one or perhaps more than one, the filling out of payment and mailing address comes next followed by the anticipation of your photo and adoption certificate, as well as the fact sheet and the satisfaction of knowing that you and perhaps your family have truly contributed to something positive. I must warn you in advance the mug shots of the many seals up for adoption is very alluring, with a seal almost pleading for you to help with every picture. It may be fun and is an education just to visit the website.

Another way to help the cause of injured and needy whales, sea turtles, dolphins and seals is to purchase merchandise from the gift shop catalog. There are posters, stuffed animals and many other gifts that can be shipped all over the country as well as to the North Fork. A new item is a collection of catchy bumper stickers one can attach to cars and so many other eye-catching locations.

Indeed the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation does more than just raise money and awareness for the sea animals in need. However, it is in this area that they can best capture the public's imagination in order to raise the necessary funds it takes to do the great work they do. Every animal has a little soul that helps create a positive force on the planet earth. It is a great feeling to know somehow you are assisting in the rescue, healing, or rehabilitation of one of these animals. By saving whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles, somehow a huge piece of your soul is saved as well.