An alligator snapping turtle is not a common site in Mount Kisco, nor are spectacled owls, scorpions, monitor lizards and sand boas. However, about two dozen people got a chance to see them on Wednesday at the Mount Kisco Public Library because of rescue group Animal Embassy.
The organization, based near by in Stamford, CT, rescues and shelters a diverse array of animals, including those who were not properly kept as pets. It was founded about 10 years ago by Chris Evers, who grew up near by in Darien and now lives in Pound Ridge.
Evers, who started rescuing animals when he was 17, promoted a message of respect of the creates of natures and to take care of the planet. He also told the crowd, which included several little kids, about how animals attack when they try to defend themselves from, not through inherent aggression towards humans.
"We need more animal rescuers," he said. Animal Embassy also has 25 high school students and eight college students as volunteers, he told the audience.
Evers offered kids chances to touch the animals, including a frog whom he likened to holding a water ballon, the snapping turtle - it has a bite force of 1,500 pounds of pressure - the boa and a baby lizard that can grow to be about 10-12 feet long and weigh roughly 200 pounds.
To learn more about Animal Embassy, click here for its website.
Check out our photo gallery for more details.
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