Calendar highlights animals' special stories

Raz the red-tailed hawk had broken his clavicle and could never be released back into the wild. Now he will live the rest of his days at the Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River.

Raz and many other animals with similar stories have become the poster animals for this year's 12-page calendar that is now available at the Newark and Forked River animal care centers or by sending $20 to Popcorn Park, P.O. Box 50, Forked River 08731, and requesting a calendar. All proceeds are used for the care and welfare of animals that come through the society's doors. With the calendar comes a one-year subscription to the Humane News and a free pass to the Popcorn Park Zoo.

Roseann Trezza, executive director of the Associated Humane Societies, said, "Whether it's December's Otto the dachshund or April's Dante the tiger, all of the animals featured in this calendar are animals from the Associated Humane Societies. Many are currently living at the Popcorn Park Zoo and some are still living with the owners who adopted them, but all have one thing in common - they were rescued and now able to live healthy, happy lives."

The Associated Humane Societies (AHS), founded in 1906, is the largest animal sheltering system in New Jersey. AHS consists of four shelters located in Newark, Forked River, Tinton Falls and Union. The Forked River facility also includes the federally licensed Popcorn Park Zoo, which is a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals and birds. Visit www.ahscares.org or to make a donation, send it to Popcorn Park Zoo, P.O. Box 50, Humane Way, Forked River 08731.