Hooked on Creatures
posted 11:42 pm Thu June 12, 2008 - Lynchburg, VA
reporter:
Noreen Turyn
posted by:
Webteam
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It's a menagerie, right in the middle of a suburban Lynchburg neighborhood. Paula Mills started out years ago as a licensed bird rehabilitator, but got so hooked on the creatures, she's made her house a sanctuary and what a sight it is! For our Heart of Virginia report we take you into her home to see for yourself.
It’s hard to describe what its like to walk into a house and have to duck your head from the myriad of birds taking wing above while a diapered duck and goose, waddle down below. But for Paula Mills it’s just another day at home.
Paula Mills - "And this is Gypsy."
Only the bedroom is off limits in this animal sanctuary, and they have the run of the place.
Mills - "There's the cockatiel we couldn’t find. Hi, did you get in Zeus's cage?"
The main floor is filled. Same with the basement.
Mills - "They're going to zoom around your head."
Head to the side porch, and you're in for a real treat. More ducking of course, but very entertaining.
Mills - "I've never had a neighbor complain, but you can hear Joey screaming from several blocks away. I have had neighbors ask me what kind of animal we have down here, but no, never complaints."
These birds will carry on a conversation all day long.
Noreen - "You do sleep at night?"
Mills - "Yes the birds sleep at night, so we sleep at night, too."
Then there’s the chorus out back -- ducks, chickens, roosters, pigeons. I’m sure I've missed some.
Mills - "Ha, ha, ha they're everywhere!"
And Paula loves them all.
Mills - "We really couldn't change the feet on this one, unfortunately but this is such a precious, precious duck, probably my favorite."
Each one has a name, each one a story. Some of them she is nursing back to health, most of them she's rescued from bad situations.
Mills - "He lived in a little teeny cage with one perch, no toys"
As much as Paula cares for them, they seem to reciprocate.
Mills - "As you can see, he loves us."
And Paula makes it her mission to share her joy with schools and nursing homes.
Mills - "They're wonderful animals and if I have a gift or talent or something I own that can benefit other people, why not? I mean it's my gift to the world, you know?"
Paula also has other animals, chinchillas, bunnies, a turtle even, so she can round out her collection when she takes her animals out to visit.
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