Meet Jan Chetnik

Meet Jan Chetnik
Originally uploaded by rikkis_refuge

Jan wears many hats at Rikki's Refuge. As our Public Relations Director and the Team Leader of the Jan Kerri Jean PR Machine she heads up the advertising about our Open Houses, Tours and other events and has been majorly instrumental in enlarging the spotlight on Rikki's Refuge. After all, if you've never heard of Rikki's, you won't be helping us to support the animals.

As our Educational Director she administers the Kind News program, reaching out to classrooms across the nation and the world. Raising the funds to send subscriptions to Kind News, an outstanding monthly Humane Education Magazine. It's only $35 a year to sponsor a classroom. Have a favorite teacher or just want to help a classroom of Jan's choice? Make your $35 donation for education and you can sponsor a whole class room of kids for a full year. We can only make a difference one child at a time. Teach a little kindness to a young one and they have a lifetime to spread it around.

As our Director of Prayers and Goodwill and Warm 'n' Fuzzy Things she keeps the miracles happening and things flowing smoothly at the Refuge. If you don't believe in prayer - just ask Jan to pray for you!!! Let me tell you - it works every time! Thank you Jan !!! At Rikki's Refuge we no longer just believe in miracles - we have come to rely on them.

Jan is also the one you'll meet on a Tour of the Refuge or at an Open House. These events are held once a month and Jan, our Tour Director, is the one who puts them together and pulls them off beautifully. She's that tall dark gorgeous brunette in the Rikki's T and Cap just brimming with excitement to introduce you to all the wonderful critters at Rikki's. Don't miss her next tour January 27th at 1 pm.

Jan hosts either a Tour or an Open House each month at Rikki's Refuge.

There will be 4 Open Houses during 2008. Each time we will be open for four hours with tours leaving every half hour. These events are often filled with special events like nature hikes, magicians (I keep begging for the "Watch the Poop Disappear" trick, but nobody has perfected it yet), artists, bake sales, crafts. You're welcome to come any time during an Open House, and all animal visitation is with tour guides.

The other 8 months of the year feature Tours. Tours last about 2 hours. And there's only one! So be prompt and don't hold up the group!


2008 OPEN HOUSE DATES
Sponsor Appreciation Day / Spring into Animals, Sunday 4/27 from 12-4 pm
Summer with the Animals, Sunday 6/15 from 12-4 pm
Halloween with the Animals, Sunday 10/19
Fall in Love with the Animals, Saturday 11/15 11 am - 3 pm


2008 TOURS DATES
Sunday 1/27 1 pm
Sunday 2/24 1 pm
Sunday 3/30 1 pm
Sunday 5/18 1 pm
Friday 7/4 11 am
Sunday 8/17 11 am
Monday 9/1 12 pm
Thursday 12/25 12 pm


BE A DOCENT
Learn to be a Tour Guide so you can help out at events or give special private tours. Contact Jan for training info: jeanne.chetnik@usmc.mil


SUNDAY JANUARY 27TH TOUR 1 PM
Participants will gather at the Gift Shoppe and the tour will leave promptly at 1 pm. The gates will open at 12:30. Please be on time as we cannot accommodate late arrivals.

On a tour you can meet the Cows of Bovine Boulevard, the Goats of Capri Corners, the Guinea Pigs of Cavy Castle, the Chickens of Chicken City, the Chukars of Chukar Chalet, the Dogs of Doggy Downs, the Donkeys of Donkey Dale, the Ducks of Ducky Digs, the Emus of Emu Estates, the Cats of Feline Fields, the Cats, Dogs and Rabbits of the 9th Life Retirement, Assisted Living and Psychiatric Center, the Geese of Goosey Gardens, the Guinea Fowl of Guinea Fowl Grounds, the Horses of Horsey Haven, the Mules of Jackass Junction, the Peacocks of Peacock Prowls, the Pheasants of Pheasant Phacility, the Pigeons of Pigeon Palace, the Pigs of Piggy Paradise, the Rabbits of Rabbit Rotunda, the Roosters of Rooster Rounds, the Sheep of Ramsey Residence, the Turkeys of Turkey Terrace and who ever else is staying with us at the time.

You will get to interact with the friendly cats and dogs, feed the pigs (bring apples) and sheep and goats and rabbits (bring carrots) and learn the story of why Rikki's is here and where we are going. You will see what day-to-day life is like at the refuge and you will also be invited to join in our volunteer efforts to build new housing for new animals.

Tours run about two hours and you should wear waterproof shoes, old clothes, long pants, sun lotion, hats, etc; dress for the weather as it's all outdoors and you will get wet, muddy and slobbered on! Warning - lots of prickles and hooves so sandals and shorts aren't recommended. Visit our Gift Shoppe for Official Rikki’s Wear and all kinds of wonderful unique crafts. Bring your camera, you'll get great shots of the excited animals thrilled by your attention.

Admission Donation is one can of cat or dog food per person (please be as generous as most folks and bring a case). We’re sorry, but we must ask that you leave your pets at home, our mascots aren't used to visiting animals and we don’t want a tangle. Children must be supervised by their parent or guardian (no more than 4 under the age of 10 per adult). Remember: animals have built in weaponry (horns, hooves, fangs, claws) which they can and will use, sometimes without warning, so enter at your own risk. Parent or guardian must sign for minors.