I have been a fan, a follower, of SOAR since Ambassador Decorah was first brought to them by Bob Anderson after being rescued. I often check SOAR's Patient pages to see how current rescues are progressing. The wide variety of birds rescued, treated and rehabbed by SOAR director Kay Neumann, her staff and volunteers is uplifting; but, as a non-profit there is always a need for funds. Vet fees, test equipment, medicine, flight cages, not to mention food, are just a few of expenses in running rehab facility. I try to do my bit by buying gas cards to pass out to the volunteers who pick up and deliver injured birds to SOAR a few times a year.Besides caring for all the patients at their facility, SOAR trains and provides Ambassador birds and works with other organizations conducting research, and does education outreach. Earlier this year was heartbreaking when 13 Eagles were brought in for care and only one survived for release this summer. SOAR's multi-faceted education efforts to make the public aware of the dangers of lead poisoning are so very important...whether presenting to schools, hunting groups, conservation groups or making information available on alternatives to lead hunting and fishing to where lead free ammunition can be purchased.Every year SOAR patient intakes increase...every year the need for funds also increases.
SOAR is caring for an eaglet that I watched grow up from Decorah that suffered a broken wing and is non-releasable. He is now an ambassador in training. I have watched SOAR care for many before him. It's a wonderful organization that saves avian lives.
From the first time I saw a presentation by Kay Neuman and the folks at SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources), I was totally hooked by all the good these people do on a daily basis. They not only rescue, rehabilitate, and release these beautiful raptors, but they also advocate for them and educate the people, which is equally important to the health of these fine raptors. Thank you, SOAR, for all that you do!!!
Came across SOAR from following the Decorah Eagles webcam and Raptor Resource Project. The dedication of Kay and her volunteers is amazing. I've learned tons about raptors and other birds and owe much of it to SOAR!
I was introduced to SOAR by a friend who was following the Decorah Eagles. I have learned so much in the past 2 years. My husband and I have turned out yard into a paradise for birds, butterflies and bees. I have learned the dangers that raptors face as they learn to live with humans and what to try to fix through Advocacy.
SOARS just doesn't advocate it helps people advocate. It is a superior organization that is aiming to help save part of our endangered Earth. Of all organizations they deserve the top award.
In 2001 I was introduced to an Eagle family through a live video stream. I began to learn not only about the life of an Eagle but about man made dangers to all raptors. I then learned of Two organizations heavily and successfully involved in saving them, Saving Our Avian Resources being one. SOAR has done wonders to protect our beautiful raptors as well as educate the general public and organizations and then work with them to make a difference. I've been following SOAR for four years and support their cause through donations and bringing awareness to my local agencies.
I found SOAR on accident and have followed them for 3 years now. They work so hard to help our feathered friends. I have learned so much about what it takes to get these birds back to the wild. What it takes to train a eagle for being an educational bird. They do a wonderful job. They have made me laugh and made me cry. But I still tune in every day to check and see what is going on. Please keep up the work that you do. Thank you Kay for taking time out of your busy schedual to give up dates and educating us on how to help the birds in our part of the country.
SOAR - Saving Our Avian Resources celebrated 15 years as an Iowa non-profit in 2014. What a milestone. The milestone for 2015 will be a record number of raptors and migratory birds admitted. The dedication that Kay and her team of volunteer rescuers and transporters continue to amaze...
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SOAR - Saving Our Avian Resources continues to grow each year -- both in number of raptor and migratory bird patients, but also in support from those living in Iowa and those connected to us by a common ideal. Having worked with Kay for over 20 years, her passion for raptor rehabilitation, raptor education, and raptor research continues to inspire the people she meets, encouraging each one to do what they can... I hope, if you're reading this, that you have or will visit the website (www.soarraptors.org) and the Facebook page and that you will support SOAR in whatever way you can.
I have followed SOAR for several years and so impressed with the work they do. They are caring and so ready to help any raptor that is brought to them or that they go to and transport. I urge anyone who loves wild life to support this group!!!!
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This organization is dynamic, energetic, and perfectly functional, for the betterment of the world we live in.
It full of selfless people who ask nothing in return for the important work they do.
I thank goodness every day for the fact that they exist!
What a spectacular organization and team! They go above and beyond to provide assistance to our treasured eagles and more! They are a blessing and I thank God for them. Polly Bunker-Appleton, WI
Thanks Again for taking great care of Decorah! Awesome
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I have been following SOAR on Facebook for about 6 months. I'm impressed with the care and expertise that they provide for sick and injured raptors. They are also a valuable resource for educating myself and others regarding these fascinating birds. The compassion, dedication and effort they invest is amazing. Outstanding work and when possible a full recovery with a humane release.
I have been following SOAR for about 2 years and am very impressed with not only their care and concern for raptors but also their education programs as well. They obviously love these creatures as we all do and strive to increase awareness which leads to habitat growth and continued population growth. Wonderful orginization.
SOAR provides excellent education opportunities for children and adults through community presentations concerning treatment, conservation and preservation of raptors. Their release of recovered raptors is especially moving.
Even though I live in Colorado, I became aware of SOAR's presence because I was following the Decorah Eagles. SOAR took in one of our "Decorah three" who had a broken wing, and I've been following their care of the Decorah eaglet through their Facebook updates. Their care, concern, and expert handling of raptors that need some TLC and extended recuperation and therapy is truly impressive. I am now aware that besides eagles, they take in all types of birds of prey. SOAR is also involved in research and education (such as encouraging hunters to be lead-free). I am so thankful for people who are dedicated to the welfare of animals. Kudos to the dedicated staff and many volunteers that provide this admirable service to our raptor friends.
I suppose in the scheme of things, with so many challenges and crisis' the world is facing on what seems to be a daily event, the charity Saving Our Avian Resources or SOAR for short, may not seem as important. However, when we take into consideration that we as human beings share this planet with an abundance of creatures on land sea and air, and - we haven't been as kind to our co-inhabitants as we should or could be - the activity of SOAR surely makes up for the many transgressions we have been responsible for.
SOAR has come to the consciousness of so many ordinary people world-wide very recently who all share one common passion, that of the Decorah Eagle family and through a medium which ten or more years ago, might not have been possible, the internet & a web-cam. We have watched a nest of eagle eggs be deposited in that nest, incubated and eventually, with bated breath, hatch and flourish with the constant attention of their parents, even unknowingly teaching us all a little about what it means to be an attentive and selfless parent & caregiver.
Sadly, one of those young eaglets found himself in peril, he had been found in a stream not far from his natal nest, a bit battered, tired and with a broken wing. "Our" D20 (his reference to literally millions of on-line viewers) was rescued and promptly transferred to the premises of SOAR where he was examined, treated, x-rayed and subsequently had surgery to repair the broken wing - there is simply nothing more sad than to see an eagle or any animal capable of flight with a broken wing!
As we receive periodical updates as to his progress including physio-therapy and encouraging words from their carers that he is responding well to treatment, it lifts our spirits and gives us all a little respite from the many troubles which we feel we have either no control over nor can combat individually - in this respect, we can see the best in all of us even if it is through just one eaglet and with the gratitude to SOAR and what it has made possible. Thank you for bringing a little positive outlook to us all!
I learned about SOAR's existence due to being an avid Decorah eagle watcher. When one of the Decorah eaglets was found injured this summer, I, along with thousands of other eagle watchers, learned that SOAR would take the eaglet, treat it and rehabilitate it.
Reading about SOAR and following the eaglet's progress and SOAR wonderful care for it and other birds taught me what a wonderful resource SOAR is to save injured birds.
I am delighted to have become acquainted with what SOAR does and their dedication to birds in distress. They are an important resource for birds in distress.
