Community
Archway is committed to working with our community. In doing so we create a stronger mission, working together, anything can happen. Building small, local and global communities of like-minded people is ideal.
Wildlife Questions
Annette Archambeau spent almost 20 years rehabilitating neighborhood wildlife, primarily, orphans, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, ducks, geese and all manner of songbirds. Our nature programs incorporate extensive wildlife studies since the start in 1996. We are wildlife advocates and believe co-habitation is vital to the health of all.
Help with Orphans
Generally, what seems to be an abandoned baby is not that. Often the mother is hiding or finding food for their young. Best policy is: please do not disturb.
What happens if my dog/cat brought a baby home?
Place baby in a small box or carrier with a lid and soft bedding on the bottom. Place on a heating pad on low in a dark/quiet place. Please do not hold or feed anything.
Contact Greenwood Wildlife 303-823-8455, Birds of Prey 303-460-0674 or me, 720-203-6781 asap.
What happens if I find an animal and I am sure it needs help?
PLEASE LEAVE IT WHERE YOU FOUND IT, OR RETURN IT ASAP.
Observe it from afar, better yet, check on it, from afar, every hour. Mom needs to know it is safe to risk coming for baby.
Call for support and advice on your case. I return messages promptly, 720-203-6781 thank you for your concern!
Common Misconceptions
The mother will not take the baby back if it has been touched.
A nest unattended now, it is abandoned.
These animals do not live here and pose a threat.
A young bird/fledgling is hurt because it cannot fly.
Why is there wildlife in need of rehabilitation?
Human intervention and intolerance.
Acts of nature.
Contacts for Wildlife Rehabilitation
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
303-823-8455
www.greenwoodwildlife.org
Birds of Prey Foundation
303-460-0674
www.birds-of-prey.org
Rocky Mountain Raptor Program
970-484-7756
www.rmrp.org
The Benefits of our Local Wildlife
Generally, wildlife is crucial to the health and balance of all life as we know it on this beautiful planet Earth. The great beauty and diversity that is the natural world is vast and incomprehensible, as our Native people everywhere call it “The Great Mystery”. So, if you agree with the above statement, we need go no further. But for those who need more specifics, let us proceed.
The Importance of Wildlife
Companionship and mystery. What a lonely place this world would be if it were just us.
Learning about the hidden, unseen creates mystery in our lives. Fulfilling a part of us that seeks knowledge and awareness, wisdom and ultimately our higher selves. These animals live in higher self because the law of nature demands it.
We are able, through learning from our wild brothers and sisters to reconnect to our roots once again, not being and feeling separate and alone.
Wildlife Creates Balance
Nature, when left to itself always creates a balance. The birds, bats, skunks all keep bugs in check. The fox, coyote, raccoon, hawk keep the rodents in check. We all need one another to survive.
Troubleshooting Man/Wildlife Conflict
“In the vastness of the world can we really think that it is us that only matter?”
“If we can see all life as equally important and variety the key to healthy life. We then embrace different, grow and become ever more creative within ourselves.”
Fear of the Unknown
Research/observe/think.
Face fear, analyze and overcome.
Predation of Pets and Stock Living in your Spaces
1) Most of this can be resolved by putting your animals in predator proof pens at night. Please note: Chicken wire is not predator proof. Use hardware cloth.
2) Wildlife also lives here; they do not recognize ownership or boundaries.
3) A good relationship always makes a good neighbor.
4) It is your responsibility to provide a safe environment for your animals. Free ranging chickens is ringing the dinner bell to many animals, including domestic dogs and cats.
5) Be meticulous, food in at night, many wildlife come for your animal’s food and water.
6) Wildlife can squeeze through very tiny openings, seal it off.
7) Moving or killing wildlife only creates a void that will be filled. THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION!
8) Cap chimneys, seal off walls, decks, porches, shut up old buildings, trim bushes.
9) Cohabitate, learn and enjoy your furred and feathered neighbors.
Please feel free to contact me for specific help or questions. I very much enjoy hearing about your creative solutions!
Kitten Fostering
Kittens – we work with orphans, families, generally through local Humane societies.
Contact us with questions, concerns, needs at archwayadventures123@gmail.com
Common Questions
1) Do you own the mother, and kittens?
2) Why is assistance needed?
3) Stray/found animals, found on your property?
4) Always keep young kittens with mother until 8 weeks if possible.
If Orphaned, Please Follow this Protocol
1) Observe from afar, give mother time to reclaim her babies, 2 hours a minimum
2) After ample time allowed for reunion, gather, put in a small box/carrier with soft bedding, provide a heat source, heating pad on low, under a box or plastic bottle filled with hot water.
3) Call for help, 720-203-6781 or your local humane society, cat rescue
4) Please do not attempt to feed anything
Surrendering Animals
1) Mom and kittens – contact local animal rescues or me. Mom must go if kittens are under 7 weeks
2) Kittens – weaned/6-8 weeks – contact as above
3) Strays – most areas have protocol for lost animals of 10 days on search engines to find owners, your local humane society handles these cases.
Help with Cat Overpopulation/Colonies
This situation is overwhelming and can get out of control quickly. Cats can overpopulate a barn or abandoned property quickly.
We can help:
– Catch and fix wild cats
– Help find places to sterilize your pets
– Find homes for kittens
– Help create a humane management plan
Other Resources
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics – Download PDF
Humane Society of Weld County
www.weldcountyhumane.org
Animal Friends Alliance
www.savinganimalstoday.org
Colorado Humane Society & SPCA
www.coloradohumane.org
Search and Rescue
We are honored to offer our lengthy experience and resources to our local search and rescue teams. We are fortunate to have a wonder bloodhound named Mindy as well!
Animal Tracking and Nature Observation
Learn more about the wildlife in our area. Is it true an animal track tells the whole life story of the animal? Can you tell an animal’s sex, age, health and time of past with one set of tracks?
This course is designed to teach basic track recognition and more. We will cover sign tracking, how to identify runs and lays, how to track on rock, grass and even smooth surfaces. Learn about animal behavior and habitats, and where to look for tracks.
Patrick and Annette Archambeau have studied tracking techniques from the world famous tracker, Tom Brown Jr., since 1992 at his Wilderness Survival and Tracking School. Patrick and Annette have been teaching these classes since 1995. They are founders of Archway Wild Inc., a non-profit, environmental conservation organization. Come learn Apache tracking techniques and enjoy our wildlife areas. Dress appropriately for the weather.
Our Facilities
Classroom
More information is coming soon!
Picnic Areas
More information is coming soon!
Meditation Gardens
More information is coming soon!
Farming and Gardening
Archway helps in the planning of gardens for the individual, family or community. Whether you are setting up some pots on a patio or in a window or planting a garden plot, we can help.
In addition, we offer gardening and farm animal experiences here, at our facility in Greeley. We acknowledge that not everyone can garden in their living situation or lifestyle. Many opportunities are offered at our facility for those interested in learning and experiencing the magic of nurturing plants and animals.
Come, plan, prepare, plant, weed and harvest! Contact us for help and more information.
We are dedicated to non-traditional, earth-friendly techniques of growing. Modelling and allowing nature to lead the way. Weeds are an important part of our gardens providing vitamin packed foods and many medicinal alternatives.
