Pets & Animals

After many hours of study and planning, Alaqua Animal Refuge (AAR) unveiled its new site plan to the local community at the Refuge’s 100-acre property r

The crowd of onlookers was thrilled as Gulf World Marine Institute released two sea turtles, Jarhead and Erica, into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, July 14th at South Walton Lakeshore Drive beach access on a beautiful morning. 

Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Disney Conservation Fund after working in conjunction with New England Aquarium to care for 50 cold stunned sea turtles. The grant will help offset the costs of the rehabilitation process for the New England cold stunned sea turtles that have since been medically cleared and released into the Gulf of Mexico.

Alaqua Animal Refuge, in partnership with American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), is holding several events to raise awareness for our rescue horses and donkeys. All proceeds will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida. Come out to Alaqua on April 23 to meet the horses and have some fun on the farm. And read on to see how you can help with donations and supplies.
 

Satisfy the urge to connect with nature, and meet some seriously cute-yet-fierce bobcats, at E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, January 23 from 10 am- 3 pm. Members will get exclusive access at the free event, and a full day of activities is slated to keep them busy all day long. 
 
Activities Include:
Meet & Greet the new bobcats
World of Wonder Exhibit
Guided Hikes
Birds of Prey Program with Hawk Flight

Ever wonder what it's like to fly private? Well a few lucky sea turtles could fill you in...if you can catch them in the waves. On December 30, Gulf World Marine Institute received 50 endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtles from the New England Aquarium.    

Stan, Gulf World's newest rough-toothed dolphin resident, is acclimating well to his new environment and companions. He's now living with five other rough-toothed dolphins, all rescues that were deemed non-releasable by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Stan, a 225 pound, 7 ft 1 in long rough-toothed dolphin, was originally rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and transported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitative care after he was found stranded this past June.

Kindness Pet Hospital on Scenic 30A treats pets like they would want their own pets to be treated. Leading the charge for this best standard of care is Dr. Mary Connor. Born and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Connor graduated from LSU’s school of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.  In July of 2014, Dr. Connor purchased Kindness Pet Hospital and has quickly become a valued and respected member of the SoWal community.

This year’s sea turtle nesting season has come and gone with 84 total nests recorded in Walton County. With the help of 80 or so South Walton Turtle Watch (SWTW) volunteers, thousands of tiny hatchlings crawled out of their cozy dune nests and headed out to sea.

South Walton Sea turtles face long odds for survival. Females that survive will return about 25 years from now to lay their own eggs on the same stretch of beach where they hatched, as they have been doing for 65 million years.

Calling all Tailwaggers for the 5th annual Rosemary Beach Unleashed on Sunday, November 22 from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Park. This year’s theme is Tail-Wag Tailgate so get yourself, your family and friends and your precious pups ready to show some spririt by wearing your team colors/attire.