Update: Paralyzed Baby Kangaroo “Irwin” and Owner Christie Carr

posted on May 05 by Admin in the Disability Law, Disability News, Fun, Interesting Links, Opinion and Discussion, Spinal Cord Injury category

Christie Carr was losing her battle with severe depression. After she hit bottom with an attempted suicide, her therapist suggested she volunteer at an animal shelter. She had no idea one of the residents of Safari’s Interactive Animal Shelter would change her life forever.  A red kangaroo named Irwin came to live at the animal shelter after he ran into a fence post breaking his neck and leaving him paralyzed. It took less than a week for Christie to fall in love with Irwin, adopt him, take him home, and become his full time caregiver. Christie had the renewed sense of purpose she was seeking in life within Irwin the baby red kangaroo.

Christie filled her days with Irwin’s care, never leaving him alone for more than an hour at a time. Irwin required around the clock treatment from diaper changes, feeding him a special diet, and dressing him in clothes to prevent Irwin from contracting diseases and infections. Irwin was even certified under the American’s with Disabilities Act as a therapy pet and made regular visits to nursing homes in the Broken Arrow area.

Veterinarians were skeptical that Irwin would ever grow beyond his 50 lb frame into a fully mature red kangaroo that can be up to 7 feet tall and weigh over 200 pounds. With ongoing rehabilitative therapy, Irwin was eventually able to hop with Christie’s assistance.

Not everyone, however was as overjoyed with Irwin as Christie was. The city council of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was concerned that Irwin would eventually grow into a full size red kangaroo and thereby become a threat to the safety of the community.  Christie waited an agonizing month to learn if she would be able to keep Irwin in the city limits of Broken Arrow or not.

It was during that month that Christie and Irwin’s fate took a turn for the better. When another member of the community began to keep lions as pets, the city council was prompted to vote on an exotic animal ordinance exemption. This ordinance was written with Christie and Irwin in mind to provide a way for the unlikely duo to continue living within the Broken Arrow city limits while keeping the other residents safe.

On May 3, 2011 the Broken Arrow City Council voted on the ordinance for exotic pets, and it has been decided that owners can apply for a permit if certain criteria are met. Exotic animals permits require owners to carry $50,000 in liability insurance for any injuries or damage the animal may cause, certification that the animal has adequate housing, and that the pet meets all federal and state guidelines for licensing.

Christie was overjoyed at the possibility of keeping Irwin in Broken Arrow though she was unable to afford the insurance policy required by the ordinance. She was considering moving away from her Broken Arrow home in order to continue her life with Irwin.  After hearing Christie and Irwin’s story, an anonymous donor purchased a $50,000 insurance policy that covered any damage or injury Irwin may cause.  This gift allowed Christie to keep Irwin and her home to continue her new life.

Councilman Richard Carter states the ordinance exemption is designed to allow Christie to keep Irwin within city limits while keeping residents safe from potential harm. The community of Broken Arrow banded together to reach a compromise that allowed Christie and Irwin to join them without putting everyone at potential risk in the future.

Original AMS blog:
http://blog.amsvans.com/6113-owner-fights-to-keep-paralyzed-baby-kangaroo-with-brain-injury/

Sources:

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/pets/pawprintpost/post/2011/04/angels-50000-means-woman-can-keep-pet/167272/1