Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary - ProfilesArchive

About Me

"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~~~~ Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary was officially founded as a non-profit organization in 1993 by Leslie Hayhurst, RN. That same year, she moved her backyard rehabilitation center onto the property we now occupy. The sanctuary is now located on a quiet, peaceful piece of land on Beech Mountain, right beside Buckeye Lake. ~~~~ Genesis is planning to have a very exciting year, folks! We've got some really cool stuff in the works and we encourage anyone and everyone to get involved! Also, keep in mind that we are a non-profit, funded almost entirely by donation and relying heavily on volunteers. We are in the middle of "baby season", the busiest time of year for us...and most costly due to all the extra mouths to feed and creatures to treat, but we're also feeling the growing pains of attempting to expand our facility. We are trying to provide our residents with nicer enclosures and more space, as well as provide our newer arrivals (like Callie, the African Serval) with adequate accommodations. Genesis and our wildlife buddies always appreciate donations of any kind...food for our residents, medical supplies, tools, lumber, blankets, storage bins, etc... If you have special skills (ie: building construction, landscaping, animal care, etc...) you could donate a bit of your time. Without the wonderful people who have helped and continue to do so, Genesis couldn't be what it is today! ~~~~ Above all though, we'd love to have you visit the Sanctuary. We're open everyday from dawn to dusk, and will do rescues anytime day or night. Our animals love visitors, and so do we! We do educational programs year-round...for the general public as well as for smaller groups and other organizations. If you are interested in having Genesis out to your next meeting/event, contact us and let us know. Our animals love to get out and meet new people! Hope to see you soon!Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary 210 Grassy Gap Creek Road Beech Mountain, NC 28604828-387-2979

My Interests

Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and if possible...release of injured, abused, or orphaned wildlife (and often other creatures as well). Those who cannot return to the wild and survive, find a home at the sanctuary, in enclosures as similar to their wild habitat as we can provide. Genesis is also strongly committed to the education of the public about wildlife and the human interaction with it. Almost every animal that has crossed our threshold came to us because of an unfortunate or careless interaction with a human being (intentional or entirely by accident). We believe education, teaching the public to be aware of the creatures that surround us each day, is the most important and influential way to cease these sad occurrences.

I'd like to meet:

Any wildlife, rehab/wildlife workers, centers like ours, animal people, people with big hearts and good spirits...heck, we spend so much time with animals...we'd be happy to meet anyone!

Music:

Possum Jenkins, whose guitarist...Dave Willis...has provided much assistance. Thanks Dave, for the pictures on this page...and all your other graphic art/photography/general help!

Movies:

Milo and Otis, Fox and the Hound, The Rocky Films (because he's all heart), Fly Away Home, Gorillas in the Mist, Ace Ventura...Pet Detective, March of the Penguins, White Fang, Old Yeller, The Last Unicorn

Television:

Just about all things animal planet...but especially that Animal Police show, Steve Irwin (RIP), Dog Whisperer, and the Discovery Channel (love that crazy documentary on The Galapagos Islands!)

Books:

Jack London in general, Never Cry Wolf,Where The Wild Things Are, The Giving Tree, The Little Prince, Ishmael, John Krakauer, and Chicken Soup for the Animal Lovers Soul.

Heroes:

Callie, for her fighting spirit and perseverance in the most dire circumstances. Tear, for his gentle nature and ability to forgive those who brutally and intentionally attacked him. Red-tailed hawks (including our three), for their unfailing ability to always maintain dignity and courage in the face of adversity. Never once have we met one that didn't command respect. Rehabilitators, wildlife workers, concerned citizens...the people who realize that ANYONE can be a hero for our animal friends.

My Blog

Opportunity to Help Save Genesis...

Attention all of our supporters, Genesis has been given the opportunity to participate in an event that could provide substantial financial relief to our center (possibly enough to keep us open). ...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:59:00 PST

The End

I suppose this may be our last stop folks. As for Genesis, it was an incredible dream, and for a time...it was real. We want to thank all of our supporters, and give our most sincere apolo...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:29:00 PST

Dire Situation...

Hey all, it's Dani... I just received this e-mail from Leslie: Hi, Board Members and my close friends, This is an unpleasant bit of news to give, but necessary, all the same. Despi...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:45:00 PST

Update on last post

Well folks, today was a day of much groundpounding and hard work by Leslie, our director, and myself in attempt to rectify the little mess we've got going up on Beech. Surprisingly, it was actua...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:47:00 PST

Attention All: Poachers on Beech Mountain

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last post, things sure have been crazy at the sanctuary! Last time I wrote, we were in pretty bad shape...since then, our financial situation...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 02:01:00 PST

Genesis may be forced to close down...

Well folks, it's with a heavy heart that I post this. It seems that Genesis is in dire straights. I know we often find ourselves in such a state, but this time is the worst we've ever been...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:09:00 PST

Kali

Hey there all! Today, I had the surprise of a lifetime...Kali (the African Serval) actually purred for the first time! For those of you who don't know, Kali girl has had an incredible turn aroun...
Posted by Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 06:25:00 PST