This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
Their Website Is Here
Their Facebook Page Is Here
Donate Here
Volunteer Here
TMMSN Gift Shop
THE TMMSN WISH (NEED) LIST
The following items on our wish list are needed for the daily operations of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network and all donated items and funds will go toward the mission of TMMSN of rescue and rehabilitation, research and education with regard to the marine mammals of the Texas Gulf Coast.
The following list contains some specific needs of our Network, but is by no means an exhaustive list or is meant to be restrictive in any way. The websites that the items are linked to serve as a convenient way for the public and supporters to view and order the specific item listed.
To all of our volunteers, members, and generous supporters, we can't say "Thank You" enough!
Gallon Ziplock Freezer Bags
Rolling Storage Chair Cart $147.46This will help keep our building tidy when the chairs are not in use.Antibacterial Body Wash $7.48 ea.
Lasko Utility Heater $36.98 ea.This small heater has proven the perfect tool for keeping our volunteers warm
between turns in the pool during the winter!Copy Paper
Sterile Surgical Lubricant
Sterile Gauze pads
Orange Antibacterial Dish Soap $2 ea.
Dish Washing Scrubber $2.50 each
Rubbermaid Squeegies $15 ea.Insulated Laboratory Shipping Boxes $43 per carton
Earloop Face Masks $8 per cartonThese help keep both our volunteers and our patients safe during the rehab
process!Nolvasan Solution Disinfectant
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes $5 ea.
Digital Food Scale for Weighing Fish $110
Brother TN310 Laser Printer High Yield Toner Cartridge $117
3" Chlorine Tablets - 50 lb $150
Pelican EMS Case $250
Small Pelican Case $39
Medium Pelican Case $119
Dolphin "Tango" pictured above was reported to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network with a life threatening entanglement of fishing gear. After our team documented and monitored the progression of the entanglement and injury, we were able to successfully disentangle Tango as part of a multi-agency effort.
Please practice dolphin safe fishing habits and dispose of gear properly.
Please do not feed wild dolphins! Wild dolphins are often placed at risk when they are fed by humans. When dolphins are fed, they learn to associate people with food and put themselves in dangerous situations around boats and fishing lines in order to acquire a meal.
We are so thankful that Tango's rescue and disentanglement was a success. With continued education and dedication to their conservation, we hope that many dolphins like Tango will find the same success or will be able to avoid sticky situations like this all together.
Picture below is the moment of Tango's release back into the wild, free of the nearly three pounds of fishing gear he had become entangled in.
Become a Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network Volunteer!
If you are interested in volunteering with the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, you may fill out the volunteer application below and submit to tmmsndrt@yahoo.com. Approved applicants will be asked to attend a one day training session which includes lectures as well as an in-water/physical training.
Your application will be reviewed prior to our next training sessions. If we feel that you meet the needs of the organization, you will be notified of our next training day. All applications must be complete to qualify for consideration, no exceptions.
Thank you for your interest in our organization!
Download TMMSN Volunteer Application Form Here
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Please be aware that membership is required to attend the volunteer training session. View membership levels/perks/dues on our Membership page.
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Training consists of lectures on various aspects of the TMMSN and a series of physical tests both in and out of the water.If you are aware of physical limitations please notify us on your application.
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Please be patient as we have a large number of applications and quite a waiting list. (Which we are certainly grateful for!) We typically hold several volunteer training days per year. Please, no phone calls or e-mails to inquire about the status of your application.
Thank you for your interest in TMMSN! There are many aspects of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network that volunteers may become involved with including education, live animal rehabilitation, dead animal recovery, necropsies, research, and more.
How do you become a TMMSN volunteer?
- In order to become a volunteer, you must be at least 18 years of age and attend a training session. Volunteers are expected to be hard-working, punctual, honest, and respectful of TMMSN policies. We do not require our volunteers to have any special skills related to marine biology, however it is very important that volunteers be able to follow directions.
Volunteering for the right reasons
- Volunteers for the TMMSN are reminded that we are not here to promote or engage in "spiritual" experiences such as swimming or communicating with the dolphins. With your continued commitment of time you will gain much valuable experience that you may be able to use in your studies, career, or personal life but your enrichment is not the goal of our program. We are here to further the conservation of these animals and to contribute to the body of knowledge about these amazing creatures.
So what's in it for you?
- The TMMSN is pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to people from all walks of life. Students gain valuable experience that is difficult to come by, and such experience adds to their studies and may often lead to employment opportunities within the field. Those who aren't students gain the same valuable experience and are able to take part in bearing a unique responsibility--the care and well-being of a protected species whose intelligence rivals any in the animal kingdom. In either case, you may witness the rewarding process of bringing a sick dolphin or small whale back from the brink to good health and a long life. An experience of a lifetime and one that's rarely matched anywhere!
Volunteer Opportunities
RESEARCH...
Because most of the animals that we recover are already dead, we use this opportunity to conduct research on the tissues and organs. A necropsy might be conducted on the beach or in a lab depending on the circumstances. Field recovery and necropsy of dead dolphins and whales is a frequent and standard part of the TMMSN volunteer experience.
RESCUE...
Whenever TMMSN receives a call to retrieve a live animal, trained TMMSN personnel respond to the call for help. The TMMSN CCT (Critical Care Team--an experienced team of responders) moves quickly to ensure a high probability of survival for the animal.
REHAB…
Whenever a live animal is rescued, 24-hour care is required for the complete recovery of the animal. Volunteers fill 4-hour observation shifts for round-the-clock supervision.
Only those regular and reliable volunteers who put in their valuable time will reach the level of experience that will enable them to participate in activities requiring interaction above and beyond the observation shifts.
RELEASE…
Release is a bitter-sweet moment for all volunteers who have been involved with an animal’s care and treatment. Release is determined by a number of factors: 1) age and maturity, 2) overall health, 3) swimming and foraging abilities, and 4) length of time devoid of medication. The decision to release an animal is made by National Marine Fisheries Service with input from TMMSN.
EDUCATION…
Education is an important aspect of the TMMSN. Volunteers play a vital role in educating the public on important marine mammal related concerns. The TMMSN regularly hosts educational booths at various community events, leads presentations to students and other groups, performs educational necropsy demonstrations, and raises public awareness through formal and informal venues.