FDNY Veteran Rescues All Kinds Of Wildlife
In Spare Time: Hawks, Bobcats, Coyotes
NY Daily News 8/26/09
Saving lives is Bobby Horvath's
work and his passion.
A 15-year veteran with the New York City Fire Department,
Horvath has a busy job as a firefighter at Engine 264/Ladder 134
in Far Rockaway, Queens.
But when he's not at the
firehouse, Horvath has his hands full as a wildlife
rehabilitator, rescuing all kinds of birds and animals in the
city and on Long Island.
He's also one of a select group of licensed rehabilitators that
the city Parks Department and New York City Animal Care and
Control count on when they have a hawk, a coyote or even a
bobcat.
Yup, you read that last one right.
Horvath has assisted in some of the most unusual rescues around
the city.
Some of the those animals - including the bobcat found on Staten
Island in February - were pets. But others, like Hal the coyote
in 2006, wandered into the big city on their own.
New Yorkers are equally as surprised when they see him release
kestrels, hawks and other birds of prey in city parks.
"People really don't know what is in their own backyard," said
Horvath. "We want to open people's eyes."
The 47-year-old started the nonprofit Wildlife in Need of Rescue
and Rehabilitation group out of his Massapequa, L.I., home. He
pays for most of his expenses, but receives some donations,
including services from trusted veterinarians.
Horvath's whole family gets involved. His partner, Cathy, is a
experienced veterinary technician. Their 2-year-old daughter,
Sadie, is a rehabber in training.
"She is comfortable and confident around all the animals," he
said proudly.
Horvath is currently caring for a young bald eagle found on a
Long Island beach suffering with avian pox. And he recently
released some baby screech owls in Central Park.
Part of Horvath's work includes educational programs he gives at
schools and camps.
"We need the next generation to take care of these animals,"
Horvath said.
He recently spoke to students at the ASPCA's Animal Awareness
Camp. The five-day program at the Staten Island Children's
Museum is designed to help children learn about the significance
of animals in society.
Horvath showed up with a kestrel, a hawk, two owls, a skunk and
an endangered box turtle.
"Children don't always get a up close and personal view of
wildlife," said ASPCA Humane Education Manager Joanne Pentangelo,
who ran the five-day camp. "Bobby was great. The kids loved it."
Donations (including bird cages, crates, blankets and baby
wipes) can be mailed to Wildlife in Need of Rescue and
Rehabilitation: 202 N. Wyoming Ave., North Massapequa, N.Y.,
11578.
lcolangelo@nydailynews.com
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