These are great items because they’re fun for the herbivores to each, the carnivores to tear apart, and everybody to roll and throw around. They’re tactile, olfactory, and edible enrichment all in one!
I believe they’re acceptable on-exhibit enrichment for naturalistic facilities like Brookfield in Chicago, too.
Isn’t it a little odd to think that they all grew up together? Like, when I introduce people to my best friend and we’re like, “Yeah, we’ve known each other since we were six” and have all these weird memories of, like, teachers and parents interacting and jokes no one else gets.
That’s what these guys are to each other. I love that.
My friend Peter (pictured above) and a group of misfits from the local community have gotten together to build portable miniature homes to give out free of charge to our friends and neighbors living on the streets of Tacoma, Washington.
These mini homes are insulated, and are built simply but will protect someone from the rain and cold. They measure 7 feet by 3.5 feet and only weigh 35 pounds, so are easily transported. When we give them out they also include an emergency survival blanket, a mat, and an off-grid heating system.
We both work and live with the local homeless population, so these homes (which are made possible only by donations and volunteers) are going to people that we know and see on a regular basis.
In the future we hope for land so we can build a community of mini homes and do projects regarding solar energy, rainwater collection and composting toilets.
The need is great, and at the time of writing this only 2 have been made. What we need is building materials such as 2x4s, plywood, greenhouse plastic, 1 inch PVC piping, and foam insulation. If you are interested in joining this misfit team by helping in any way, please send me a message and I can give you more information.
If not, please signal boost! Our friends on the street are in the rain right now as I write this, and just reblogging can help.
