DEW Animal Kingdom

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It's Official! D.E.W. Animal Kingdom is a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Non-profit Organization !!!

 D.E.W. Animal Kingdom is very excited to announce that we have obtained 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS. The IRS grants this coveted status upon organizations that meet specific legal requirements and operate under strict conditions with the goal of providing a public benefit. 501(c)3 status makes D.E.W. Animal Kingdom exempt from paying federal taxes and allows any donations to be a tax deduction for the donor. This status is also a requirement by all foundations and government agencies when applying for grants. We started the process 2007 when D.E.W. Animal Kingdom was formally organized as a family owned business. After many forms, paperwork, legal fees, government fees, and a lot of effort we were able to surpass this milestone and be granted exempt status. This opens many doors for D.E.W. Animal Kingdom, allowing us to seek and apply for grants and accept public donations. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities of this designation and the good it will bring to the animals residing at D.E.W. Animal Kingdom in Mt. Vernon Maine.

DEW Animal Kingdom is located on 42 acres in beautiful Mt. Vernon, Maine, in western Kennebec County. With a wide variety of animals from all over the world, DEW Animal Kingdom has something for everyone young and old. Be prepared to be exhilarated and educated as you walk the trails alone or if you're lucky enough to catch a tour.  Unlike "zoos" which allow you to see animals from a distance, DEW Animal Kingdom lets you get up close and intimate with some of the most exotic animals walking the planet. DEW Animal Kingdom is solely owned and operated by Julie and Bob Miner.

D.E.W. Animal Kingdom is a smoke-free environment. There are no tobacco products allowed anywhere on the farm property. The animals and management appreciates compliance with this rule.

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Remember D.E.W. Animal Kingdom & Sanctuary is not only a Sanctuary but also a working farm. 

 

** Coming soon 2010 D.E.W. Animal Kingdom Calendars!!!**

        Calendars are $15.00 each including shipping and handling.

 To order please send an email to: rottie0322@aol.com for more information.

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                                WHO'S NEW AT D.E.W.

The following are new additions to the D.E.W. family:  

Baby African Lioness - Tawana born October 11th 2009

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Aphrodite - Female Capuchin (Mr. Odlow's girlfriend)

Aphodite 1.JPG (2400582 bytes)     Aphodite 2.JPG (1689340 bytes)    Aphodite 3.jpg (1923031 bytes)

Baby Bobcat - Kristin born May 28th 2009

Kristin on Bobs Arm Sleeping.JPG (3030812 bytes)     Kristin 1.jpg (460459 bytes)     Kristin 2.jpg (2599299 bytes)     Kristin 3.jpg (1288493 bytes)     Kristin 4.jpg (2526101 bytes)

Lambs (Shelby & Ava), Gray Wolf pups (Cherokee, Noweta and Choctaw)

and Llama (Phoebe)

 new lambs.jpg (1031203 bytes)    Baby wolf 1.jpg (1501294 bytes)   Baby wolf 2.jpg (2003197 bytes)   Baby wolf 6.jpg (1692313 bytes)

August 2009 baby wolf photos - Wolf pups Cherokee, Noweta and Choctaw are growing up fast. Here they are at about six months old.

baby wolf A.jpg (2575857 bytes)     baby wolf B.jpg (1555381 bytes)     baby wolf C.jpg (1724226 bytes)

Check out the 'Growing Up At D.E.W.' page to watch as the babies continue to grow.

D.E.W. also rehabilitates injured animals that will be returned to the wild when they are ready to survive on their own. Luckily, there are no current rehabers.

Some former rehab residents:

Racoon1.jpg (2152057 bytes)    Racoon2.jpg (2492892 bytes)    Racoon3.jpg (2474786 bytes)   Rehab Owl 1.jpg (2282160 bytes)   Rehab Owl 2.jpg (2626362 bytes)    Rehab Owl 3.jpg (531983 bytes)

Be sure to look for videos of various residents of D.E.W.  on www.YouTube.com search for "DEW Animal Kingdom".

Proud and loving caretakers Julie and Bob Miner

Julie & Bob with Gunne and Mufasa 1.jpg (2097037 bytes)

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Bob & Isabela & Kristin  3.jpg (217433 bytes)     Hyena & Bob 2.jpg (321713 bytes)     Tiger 16.jpg (182738 bytes)     Holding Freddys Hand.jpg (84648 bytes)      Cougar on Ball.jpg (492215 bytes)

isabella2.jpg (285141 bytes)     izor1.jpg (195943 bytes)     lioneyes1.jpg (248300 bytes)     lions playing 2.jpg (305617 bytes)       bobcat1.jpg (257765 bytes)

elvis chickens 1.jpg (243371 bytes)     kangaroo2.jpg (298170 bytes)     eddie1.jpg (283157 bytes)     bobcat3.jpg (271328 bytes)       female lion new 1.jpg (203857 bytes)

bear on side 1.jpg (438260 bytes)    black leopard 1.jpg (231507 bytes)    kochime 3 6-22-07.jpg (262905 bytes)   tundra .jpg (228154 bytes)    female lion showing teeth.jpg (261429 bytes)

male lynx 1.jpg (240172 bytes)   kochime 2 6-22-07.jpg (213157 bytes)   tundra a.jpg (221277 bytes)   kochime 6-22-07.jpg (307877 bytes)      tundra 2.jpg (272480 bytes)

lynx 6-22-07.jpg (262622 bytes)    Nirobi on back 2 6-22-07.jpg (150374 bytes)   Tundra 2 6-22-07.jpg (208737 bytes)    bear 6-22-07.jpg (250454 bytes)    Red Head Duck 6-22-07.jpg (166342 bytes)

3 amigos.jpg (700693 bytes)   bob & madeenah.jpg (1415483 bytes)   Got wood.jpg (1104121 bytes)    mr.Odlow smiling.jpg (840655 bytes)   Gwenevere in snow.jpg (495081 bytes)   Tortoise 1.jpg (998817 bytes)

Asil 1.jpg (1055769 bytes)   Asil 2.jpg (2826937 bytes)   Cavy 1.jpg (2118721 bytes)   Cavy 2.jpg (1271557 bytes)   Coati 1.jpg (1978546 bytes)   Coati 2.jpg (1616223 bytes)


Our Mission: 

To inspire people to respect, protect and sustain the natural world. 

To provide sanctuary for misplaced, unwanted and abused animals with high quality husbandry and housing.

To educate and entertain the public in hopes of encouraging everyone to protect our environment now and in the future.

To enjoy and respect the diversity of all animals while continuing innovative farming with alternative livestock.


DEW Animal Kingdom Profile & History

Caretakers: Bob and Julie Miner

Animal Residents: 200+

Brief History: After suffering debilitating strokes due to his service in  Vietnam, Bob Miner returned to Maine to the D.E.W.  Animal Kingdom farm in 1980. He started with traditional farm animals such as cows, pigs, goats, llamas etc. He soon discovered he had a knack for helping Maine wildlife and became permitted by the State to rehabilitate and return these animals to the wild. He then became involved with more non-traditional (exotic) livestock - lemurs, coatimundi, wallaby, etc.......Thus the name D.omestic E.xotic W.ild for the farm. In 1994 Julie and her two daughters, Hannah and Heidi, came as volunteers to the farm. Bob and Julie became fast friends and a hard working pair. Within 6 months they decided to marry. Up to this point the farm had run on odd hours and donations. They decided to set hours and a fee to better maintain the growing farm. In 1999 we decided to move our farm to 43 acres 1 mile up the road. 

After 3 years of blood, sweat, tears and laughter - with help and support from friends and volunteers - we were ready to move. That was September of 2001. We now live with our animals on the new property.  We continue to improve their habitats and strive to meet their needs 24/7.  Our newest big project  is a new primate barn.  After three years of saving, donations, volunteers and hard work this barn will be finished this spring of 2007. Our animals come from many different backgrounds.  Some are from zoos, from individuals who got in over their heads, people moving, people dying, rescues and some we wanted. We strive to educate every person who visits our farm.  Schools visit for fun, educational, interactive tours as well as scouts, nursing homes, challenged individuals, etc.  We try to do tours throughout the day, on no set schedule, but as we can.  Sometimes tours are cut short by births or injuries.  The animals' needs always come first.  Remember we are a working farm, not a commercial zoo.  We are family owned and operated--so we do the majority of the work. We do have wonderful volunteers who we truly appreciate.   We also have the occasional intern that comes to work and learn. We have a relationship with each and every animal on our farm. They all have their own name and personality with their own moods and needs.  We love our lives with them and enjoy sharing them with the public. Remember.........Their future is our responsibility.

Visitor Photos:

Opening day visitors.jpg (1442140 bytes) Sienna smiling in front of lion.jpg (252234 bytes)  Recent Tour 1.jpg (293235 bytes)  Recent Tour 2.jpg (373536 bytes)  recent tour 6-30-07.jpg (241069 bytes)   Recent visitors at tiger cage.jpg (563818 bytes)

5-15-08 Visitors.jpg (684991 bytes)  Lawrence High.jpg (1353200 bytes)  6-5-08 Visitors.jpg (1360932 bytes)   Recent visitors J Mahoney 7-19-08.jpg (2611102 bytes)   Dew Animal Kingdom 068 - Families Matter Inc.JPG (75670 bytes)

Bob teaching visitors. DEW makes you smile!!! 

Testimonials: 

The residents of D.E.W. share a community with their Mt. Vernon neighbors.  They quietly offer an opportunity for unique experiences with so many animals.  Visitors have spent a day here and walked away feeling as if their lives have been changed because of a special moment or interaction.  As one visitor says, “I have visited the farm many times and there hasn’t been once when I haven’t thought at some point, ‘I am so blessed to share time with these creatures’.”

" When we moved to Maine we had no idea that we could see animals from all over the world right here in Mt. Vernon."

"Bob and Julie are so informative about the animals and you know they care for them deeply. I learned so much in such a short period of time. It was amazing!"

"I got so close to Madenna, the hyena, I could smell her breath; boy is it foul!!" (volunteer quote)

"DEW Animal Kingdom is another example of Maine's hidden treasures."

biob & isabella.jpg (195950 bytes)  bob&madeena2.jpg (320308 bytes)    tiger4.jpg (191213 bytes)  deer1.jpg (379856 bytes)  Cougar Stare.jpg (479694 bytes)  white peacock.jpg (311298 bytes)  tiger new 2.jpg (204841 bytes)  Tiger3.jpg (222846 bytes)    walabee1.jpg (213994 bytes)   pig new 1.jpg (251911 bytes)   black leopard 2.jpg (238703 bytes)

Goat on ock 6-22-07.jpg (240653 bytes)  Tundra 6-22-07.jpg (193345 bytes)    Tundra 3 6-22-07.jpg (209467 bytes)    Nirobi on back 6-22-07.jpg (196476 bytes)  Taniekqua on back 1.jpg (228517 bytes)

tundra puss in boot stare1.jpg (242883 bytes)  Kochime coming down bridge 1.jpg (266608 bytes)   madeena 3.jpg (284131 bytes)   madeena 2.jpg (317899 bytes)  Kochime running 1.jpg (222262 bytes)

Gwenever 1.jpg (199063 bytes)  Taniekqua in grass1.jpg (234177 bytes)  Bob & Lilyana 1.jpg (291861 bytes)   Wolf6.jpg (592398 bytes)

Comment from caretaker Bob Miner : " When I returned to Maine I was a recluse and couldn't stand people. I started the farm as my own animal therapy. I discovered that I was really good at working with traditional farm animals, native Maine wildlife, and exotics. One day a local school asked if they could come and see my farm; for some unknown reason I said yes. I found this to be my connection back to people through the animals"

About caretaker Julie Miner: 

Beside every great man is a great woman.  Bob and Julie Miner run D.E.W. as a team.  They first met each other in 1994 when Julie started volunteering at the farm.

Julie’s first pet as a child was a bird—now she finds herself caring for and surrounded by wolves, monkeys, kangaroos, tigers, peacocks and miniature horses.  Of course, this is just a small sampling of the D.E.W. Gang.  In the spirit of “there’s always room for one more”, Julie would be happy to have a pair of snow leopards join the family.

Chores come first each day.  The most valued reward for all the heavy (and sometimes smelly) labor, is the opportunity to experience moments with animals that have a deep importance; Julie has bottle fed so many leopards, tigers, lions, kangaroos, raccoons and lambs that the specific number of times she has done this becomes insignificant.  She truly feels it is a privilege to share her life with so many other beings.

As Bob has said, “I have never met a man who can stay stride for stride and shovel to shovel with me; I met a woman who could, so I married her”. And Julie says, “I am always amazed at how much work Bob and I can accomplish together.  What we have done together over the last fourteen years would be unbelievable if I hadn’t lived it. Raising two beautiful daughters, countless animal babies and maintaining our residences while constantly improving each of their habitats, keeping up with regulations and laws and trying to maintain human friendships—wow. Learning and growing with the animals on a daily basis keeps me on my toes.  Dealing with paperwork helps me appreciate every other aspect of my life fully.”

 

2009 Baby Photos                   

new lambs.jpg (1031203 bytes)    Baby wolf 1.jpg (1501294 bytes)   Baby wolf 2.jpg (2003197 bytes)   Baby wolf 3.jpg (2766925 bytes)   Baby wolf 4.jpg (2612060 bytes)

Lambs                     Gray wolves

Baby Llama 1.jpg (2513634 bytes)   Baby Llama 2.jpg (1067684 bytes)     Kristin on Bobs Arm Sleeping.JPG (3030812 bytes)   Kristin 3.jpg (1288493 bytes)

Llama                                         Bobcat

All donations are appreciated !!!!!!               

Please see the D.E.W. Wish List page for items we are always in need of.


Contact Information

Telephone
207-293-2837
Postal address
918 Pond Rd Mt Vernon, ME 04352
        (Route 41 Mt. Vernon)
Electronic mail
General Information: dewanimalkingdom@yahoo.com