Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a neutered male java macaque who arrived here from Orlando Florida on June 23rd. He came from Back to Nature Wildlife Rehab/Refuge. Three wonderful ladies drove Pumpkin non-stop for a total of 24 hours driving time to get him here. Pumpkin is housed with Ginger and Garner. Pump is 5 years of age. He was hand raised by BTN curator, Carmen Shaw, after a court order had confiscated Pumpkin due to improper license in the state of Florida. It was difficult for Carmen to give Pumpkin to another refuge, but, due to health reasons, it was necessary. We are proud that Mindy's was selected for the life time care of the little Java, Pumpkin.
After Pumpkin was settled in we were proud to receive a copy of this letter, written to someone considering placing a monkey with us. We reproduce it here with the author's permission:
"My name is Mandy and I volunteer at a wildlife refuge in Central Florida. Just a few short weeks ago three of us made the very long drive to Oklahoma to transfer our 5 year old male java macaque to Linda at Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary. None of us had ever been there or met Linda so we were unsure of what we were to find. I had e-mailed Linda many times (probably driving her nuts) asking all sorts of questions. We had been to Jungle Friends in Gainesville and met Kari and she too assured us that it was the right place for Pumpkin to spend the rest of his days. In all honesty, we went prepared to bring him back home if we felt even the least bit apprehensive about the sanctuary or Linda."
"A bit of background on Pumpkin - he came to us at 3 years of age after being confiscated from a lady in the Orlando area. He spent two years with us and I developed a bond with him that I never knew possible. While I love him dearly, I knew it was in his best interest to be with other monkeys of his own kind. They are extremely social animals, and as much as we'd like to think that we give them everything they need, we can never replace another monkey. Because of her bond with him, it took the director of our facility quite some time to make the decision that we all knew was in his best interest. So, I most certainly know the feelings you are experiencing at this time."
"Upon arriving at Linda's sanctuary and meeting her, it didn't take me long to realize that this was the place. She showed us the enclosure that Pumpkin would live in with his roommates, Garner and Ginger and I was overcome with happiness that he had such a wonderful enclosure to live in. Much bigger than what he was used to. We put him in the enclosure and sat back to watch what he would do. Within 24 hours, we were able to put him together with Ginger and Garner and they've been best pals ever since. I was so worried that I would ball my eyes out all the way home and be heartbroken, but knew that wouldn't be the case the second I saw his enclosure and then saw him being groomed by the two little ones. I knew this was where he belonged and that we had done the right thing. We actually left the sanctuary six hours ahead of schedule and smiled all the way home."
"You obviously love your animal very much. I will 120% vouch for Linda's abilities to care for your animal. These animals that she cares for are her life. Her sanctuary is extremely clean and she has a special place in her heart for every single one of the animals in her care. Every morning she walks the sanctuary giving a healthy morning snack talking to them, checking each one to make sure everyone is doing okay. The same routine mid-morning and in the evening. I promise you that placing your animal in her care is the best thing you can do for it."
"I realize you feel as though your heart is breaking over this decision. I too felt that the weeks leading up to Pumpkin's transfer. I was so worried I'd be a blubbering idiot the whole time I was there. Honestly, I didn't shed a tear because I was so happy about where he was. The animals all love Linda dearly and Pumpkin took to her immediately. I wish there were more people like Linda on the planet - these animals need all the help they can get!"
"I'm not sure what else I can tell you to put you at ease about your decision. If you want to e-mail me with any questions, or just for support, please feel free. I most definitely understand the hard time you are having with this decision, but I cannot stress enough that it is in the best interest of the animal to be with other monkeys. The best place for that is Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary."