Everyone affiliated with The Binky Foundation was shocked and devastated upon learning of the sudden and untimely death of our wonderful friend and supporter, Barbara Rosenthal, while in Chicago pursuing her world-wide love of opera. Barbara was a caring friend and supporter of all animals, particularly her own wonderful cat Chaplin, who tragically succumbed to cancer shortly after Barbara’s death and her god dog, Benny, and she was a 20-year veteran wildlife docent for the Central Park Zoo. Barbara’s strong sense of indignity for those who abused or ignored the plight of all animals will be missed terribly by all of us who knew and relied upon her unwavering commitment.
In memory of Cassie, adopted by Ron & Erika Surkin when she was about one year old. Found hanging around a barn where Erika boarded her horse, Cassie not only loved having the run of Ron & Erika’s 7-acre estate in Chester Heights, PA, but also developed into a wonderful therapy dog, helping Erika in her counseling of children and adolescents. Cassie lived to the happy old age of about 13. Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin and Jacqueline Birnbaum, March 2011.
Falafel, loving companion to Hilary & Fran Clark since she was adopted in 2001. Falafel will always be remembered as a frisky kitten and a sweet adult, but her life-long respiratory problems resulted in her being taken away far too soon. Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin and Jacqueline Birnbaum, March 2011.
In memory of Kaiser, “spunky” friend and companion of Jane Donnelly and David Schult for 16 years. Remembrance donation by Mickey and Peter Bickford and Joan Scheier, March 2011.
Indy, wonderful companion to Ken and Jo-Ann Dekoven, too soon gone for being so full of life, and the second heartbreaking loss to the family in the last year (see Frodo, November, 2010). Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin and Jacqueline Birnbaum, February 2011.
Loving friend and companion of Dr. Elizabeth Appleman, Gertrude was adopted at age 3 from the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh and spent her formative years in NYC. She enjoyed shopping, fine dining, strolling in Central Park, and relaxing in her apartment on the upper east side. Gertrude almost made it to her 18 and 1/2 birthday in 2011, and would like to go on record as one of the oldest Corgis in history. Remembrances by Mickey & Peter Bickford, January 2011.
First Step Grants
During 2010, The Binky Foundation awarded First Steps grants of $2500 or less to 19 organizations and one individual in 13 states. These awards include support for local animal rescue and humane facilities to help establish or maintain animal welfare programs, including food pantries for rescued animals, hay banks and nutritional programs for equines, medical care, spay and neuter programs, and other related animal welfare services. These grantees include:
- All About Equines Animal Rescue, Inc., for its equine nutrition and development program in California
- Mountain View Rescue, Inc. in Kentucky for its Hay Bank Program
- Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Maine, for its animal wellness program providing restorative treatment to nurse neglected and injured animals back to health
- Center for Animal Rescue and Education (C.A.R.E.), shelter, spay/neuter assistance, education and referral resources in southeastern Massachusetts
- Central Coast Humane Society in Oregon, supporting its program providing veterinary services for low-income pet owners
- Saving Animals for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Sanctuary, a rescue facility in Florida, so it could provide electricity to its kennels
- Expansion of an Illinois shelter’s kennels and grooming areas, Domestic Animals in a Safe Haven (D.A.S.H.)
- Bobbi & the Strays, an educational program on animal care for New York City children
- The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, supporting its program to relocate rescued wild cats
- A study of the effect of feeding wild birds on their health and survival by a doctorial candidate in Illinois
Forward Steps Grants
We also provided support in 2010 for a few new larger Forward Steps programs that our grant committee determined would provide long-term, valuable benefits for animals or habitat, including:
- Contributing toward the acquisition of new radiology equipment for a wildlife center in Illinois (Willowbrook Wildlife Center)
- Helping purchase a badly needed horse trailer for transporting rescued equines in Washington State (Wind Haven Horse Rescue)
- Funding for a new, progressive educational program about living with and understanding animals (The Kerulos Center, in Oregon)
The Binky Foundation also continues to provide ongoing support for a number of organizations that provide significant and important services to animals and their habitat, including grants to:
- A small refuge in Southern New Jersey providing a haven for beavers, other indigenous wildlife and migratory birds, protecting them from encroachments of farmers, hunters and civilized development. (Unexpected Wildlife Refuge)
- An organization in Central New Jersey providing for the rehabilitation and re-entry in to the wild of injured or orphaned raptors and other birds, most of which are harmed by their proximity to the New York metropolis. (The Raptor Trust)
- Provide educational internships through conservation groups with compatible goals and excellent educational track records. (Alaska Conservation Foundation)
- Support an environmental law fellowship dedicated to wildlife protection initiatives in the Midwest (Environmental Law & Policy Center)
- A nationally and internationally known animal sanctuary in support of its educational programs (Best Friends Animal Society)
Benny to some and Bennie to others, but loved by all who knew him for his courage and spirit. Best friend and companion of Mickey and Peter Bickford. Remembrance donations by Dr. Elizabeth Appleman, Meg Crane, Muriel Danon, Bruce Ginsberg and Nancy Gaeta, Linda and Emily Indig, Mary Lanning, Dorothy Newshan, Barbara Rosenthal, Joan Scheier, Dragica Tamarut, Judy Wolfe, and Mickey and Peter Bickford. December 2010. A special thanks to Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists (FAVS) in New York City for their extraordinary efforts and loving care during Bennie’s illness.
In memory of our beautiful and faithful Honeybunch. Remembrance donation by Betty & Joe Anticaglia, New York, NY, December 2010.
December 2010
When Mickey & Peter were saying their final farewell to Binky, a cat living at the vet’s office pushed his way into the room. Soon after they adopted that cat, Benny (or Bennie to many). Judging from his charm, sweetness and courage, they suspect that Binky’s spirit passed to Benny that day in the vets office, which made it all the harder for them when Benny lost his two-year battle with cancer just before Christmas.
Mickey & Peter are happy that they could provide Benny the care that he needed during his all too brief life. However, they also know that many people are struggling to provide basic, necessary needs – food and medical care – for their pets. While The Binky Foundation does not have the resources to provide assistance for direct care of individual animals, it will continue to look to organizations seeking to establish sustainable programs to assist those pets and their owners struggling to provide such basic needs. (See our grant programs).