The Truth About Rabies

The Truth About Rabies

This is the time of year when our hotline receives an increase in calls about animals that people fear have rabies. A fox seen during the day, an opossum moving slowly, or a racoon with saliva around his mouth can understandably cause concern, but these signs do not necessarily mean an animal is rabid.

Even in areas where cases have been reported, rabies is statistically rare in wildlife. While the disease is carried by mammals, only a small fraction of those that people encounter is affected. Unfortunately, rabies can only be definitively diagnosed after an animal has died (or is killed), which means assumptions can have devastating consequences. Thousands of animals are unnecessarily killed for testing each year owing to the small number that test positive.

Many commons signs of rabies have other far more likely explanations. Nocturnal animals may be active during the day because urban wildlife often adapt their schedule to food availability and human activity. Pregnant and nursing mothers may need to forage more often to meet their increased caloric needs while caring for their young. An animal may appear unsteady, lethargic, or have excessive drooling due to injury, stress, illness, or even simply dehydration. In fact, symptoms of rabies are consistent with symptoms of distemper, a far more common disease that can sometimes be treated with prompt professional care. Even the notorious symptom of increased aggression can lead to fear-based assumptions as any sick and vulnerable animal may defend themselves by any means necessary. Opossums especially are commonly misunderstood as rabid. They are sometimes feared because they are not what people consider conventionally cute; their short lifespan of 1-3 years means their bodies slow down and show visible signs of age rapidly. Additionally, females will reproduce 1-3 times every year, meaning they are more likely to be out during all hours trying to find enough food to support their family. In truth, opossums happen to be extremely resistant to rabies as the virus cannot survive at their naturally lower body temperature.  Fear for one’s own safety likely drives labeling an animal as rabid, but that rashness can have very real and fatal consequences for the animal. The safest response to a wild animal is the same in any situation, regardless of disease: give wildlife space, do not attempt to handle, keep pets away, and contact our hotline if an animal appears injured, sick, or unable to move. WRR exists not only to provide care for animals in need, but to help prevent harm to animals in the first place. Don't let fear be the reason an innocent animal's life is ended. Our hotline specialists are available to help you make informed and compassionate decisions.

The Bill Hicks Foundation with Austin Bat Refuge announce

 The 5th Annual Fur Will Fly Fest 2026!

Friday March 13^th  4-10pm at The Cherrywood Coffeehouse 1400 E 38 ½

 

This one day event will feature bands from Houston, Austin and Milwaukke, WI!

It is a free, family friendly, all ages event but donations will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the organizations and the bands. Enjoy some amazing music while showing some love for Austin wildlife and support two great local organizations. 

Full line up on our FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/billhicks.org/events

Sponsored by Cherrywood Coffeehouse, Thryft Vintage app, Motorblade Postering, Forbidden Fruit, and The Susan Kerman Family Foundation

Austin Bat Refuge, a 501(c)(3) organization, cares for orphaned, injured, and displaced bats found all over Central Texas and the Houston area. We provide expert care and services to hundreds of bats every year, conduct public education programs to promote appreciation and support for bats as crucial members of local ecosystems and fascinating members of the animal kingdom, and offer conflict resolution services.     http://austinbatrefuge.org 

The Bill Hicks Foundation with Austin Bat Refuge announce the 4th Annual Fur Will Fly Fest 2025

Friday March 14th 1-10pm
at The Cherrywood Coffeehouse 1400 E 38 1⁄2 St

This one day event will feature bands from across the US as well as the ATX. It is a free, family friendly, all ages event but donations will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the organizations and the bands. Enjoy some amazing music while showing some love for Austin wildlife and support two great local organizations.

Sponsored by Cherrywood Coffeehouse, Thryft Vintage app, Motorblade Postering, Forbidden Fruit, and The Susan Kerman Family Foundation

 

 

Listen to Lynn Raridon from the Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife interviewed by host Brian Fitzgerald for a recent edition of Inside Austin. They talked about how an encounter with a racoon at a young age had an impact on the future comedian and how a charity that helps animals seemed like an obvious way to honor him. Lynn and Brian also talked about the upcoming Fur Will Fly Fest happening at the Cherrywood Coffee house on Friday, March 14th beginning at 1pm.

LISTEN HERE

About the organizations:

Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife is a Texas Not for Profit Corporation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned, ill and injured Austin area wildlife , primarily misc. mammals such as raccoons,foxes, skunks, beavers and porcupines. We also provide information on peaceful cohabitation and educational outreach to promote stewardship of wildlife and their habitats.
www.billhicks.org

Austin Bat Refuge, a 501(c)(3) organization, cares for orphaned, injured, and displaced bats found all over Central Texas and the Houston area. We provide expert care and services to hundreds of bats every year, conduct public education programs to promote appreciation and support for bats as crucial members of local ecosystems and fascinating members of the animal kingdom, and offer conflict resolution services.
http://austinbatrefuge.org

Pocket Fishrmen Fish Fry Benefitting Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife

 

Back from the depths of a 5 year hiatus, the 12th Pocket Fishrmen Fish Fry surfaces and is happening at the the legendary Hole in the Wall on Saturday, September 21st.

Music starts at 4:00 with a seven band line-up featuring:

Reigncoat at 4:00
Bondbreakr - 5:00
Jefferson Trout at 6:00
Cunto plays at 7:00
Pocket Fisrmen at 8:00
Sodomy Cop - 9:00
and Texacala Jones and the Nightmares at 10:00

This Show featuring 7 bands comes with a complimentary fried fish dinner with sides and a chance to win some excellent prizes in the PFFF Raffle benefitting Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife!

$15 at the door 

contact billhicksfoundation@gmail.com for more info

FACEBOOK

Annual Fur Will Fly Fest 2024

 The Bill Hicks Foundation with Austin Bat Refuge announce the 2nd
Annual Fur Will Fly Fest 2024

Friday March 15th  at The Cherrywood Coffeehouse 2-10pm  1400 E 38 ½ St

Enjoy some amazing music while showing some love for Austin wildlife
and support two great local organizations. The Bill Hicks Foundation ,
a Texas Not for Profit , presented a one day “Furfest”  in 2022 but
have joined together with fellow wildlife rehabilitation group Austin
Bat Rescue ( 501C3 non-profit) to create an annual event to promote
awareness of their services to the community.  Bands from across the
US as well as the ATX will be performing to support the cause.

Line up

2pm  Willowspeak- Los Angeles

3pm Frail Talk- Northern Colorado

4pm His His- Toronto, Canada

5pm Echo Kid- Philadelphia

6pm Elly Kace Duo- Brooklyn

7pm deegie- Los Angeles

8pm Heather Bishop Band- Austin

 

FUR WILL FLY FEST - March 16-17 2023

The Bill Hicks Foundation with Austin Bat Refuge announce the 1st ever Fur Will Fly Fest 2023

March 16-17th  at The Cherrywood Coffeehouse 3-10pm daily 1400 E 38 ½ St

Free, all ages, donations gratefully accepted on behalf of the organizations and bands.

Enjoy some amazing music while showing some love for Austin wildlife and support two great local organizations. The Bill Hicks Foundation , at Texas Not for Profit , presented a one day “Furfest”  in 2022 but have joined together with fellow wildlife rehabilitation group Austin Bat Rescue ( 501C3 non-profit) to create a 2 day event to promote awareness of their services to the community.  Bands from across the US as well as the ATX will be performing to support the cause. 

Line ups by day:

 

Thursday 3/16

Sleeping Jesus- Minneapolis, SWEETTALKER- Nashville, Q-Tip Bandits- Boston, 

Tone Royal- ATX/San Antonio,  Line of Fire- ATX, Griffin Robillard- NYC

Ty Gavin & The Flow- San Antonio

Friday 3/17

CoLa- ATX, Alexandra- Dallas, Desert Mambas- LA, Clarence James- ATX, 

Bicycle Boy- ATX, Brad Byrd- LA, Daydreamer- ATX

Event page and links to bands @  https://fb.me/e/3jpiOTAeH

Sponsored by Forbidden Fruit, Brian Kerman- ReMax Realtor and The Kerman Family Foundation

MotorBlade Postering

About the organizations:

Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife is a Texas Not for Profit Corporation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned, ill and injured Austin area wildlife , primarily misc. mammals such as raccoons,foxes, skunks, beavers and porcupines. We also provide information on peaceful cohabitation and educational outreach to promote stewardship of wildlife and their habitats.

Austin Bat Refuge, a 501(c)(3) organization, cares for orphaned, injured, and displaced bats found all over Central Texas and the Houston area. We provide expert care and services to hundreds of bats every year, conduct public education programs to promote appreciation and support for bats as crucial members of local ecosystems and fascinating members of the animal kingdom, and offer conflict resolution services.   ​

http://austinbatrefuge.org 

Fur Fest 2022

The Cherrywood Coffeehouse and The Hicks Foundation present Fur Fest 2022, an unofficial SX day party featuring 7 bands from Austin and San Antonio with host/MC and Comic  Nancy Reed! All ages and free but donations for the bands/cause greatly appreciated. Stop by the SWAG table for some foundation merch (available by donation too!)

 FACEBOOK

Charity Tribute to Comedy Legend - The Sugar Club, Dublin

Despite all the misery of 2020 (so far) we have managed to almost sell out our tribute show, to comedy legend and voice of reason Bill Hicks.

Thanks to the presence of Bills brother Steve Hicks we will have a full on tribute show, to arguably the bravest, most honest and hilarious comedian of a generation. A generation that grew up not really deserving such an influence in their young formative lives.

Perhaps the current batch of young rebels will follow their curiosity and sense of decency. Take a walk down Hicksville and be prepared to go Billistic.

The thing about this thing called life, we always have a chance to redeem ourselves. Get the last of the tickets and enjoy what could be another life affirming experience.

"Listen, the next revolution is gonna be a revolution of ideas" Bill Hicks Bill Hicks on War & Freedom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZQ2Fx1j9E 

The last few tickets for Bill Hicks Tribute Show Dublin Wednesday 26th February 2020

https://www.sugarclubtickets.com/purchase/in-tribute-to-bill-hicks

In Bill Hicks good name we are donating ticket receipts and raffle receipts to 2 homeless charities in Dublin, and Bill Hicks Wildlife Foundation www.billhicks.org