The Boo Boo Zoo, a.k.a., the East Maui Animal Refuge (EMAR), is a no-kill, all volunteer run, non profit, rehabilitation sanctuary for injured and orphaned animals who would otherwise die.

EMAR began in 1977 as a unique therapy program for Suzie Schwab, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her husband Sylvan noticed that caring for an injured bird gave Suzie the strength to fight her illness, and he began bringing home more animals in need of her tender loving care.

Miraculously, the love Suzie showered upon the animals has contributed to her complete recovery from cancer! Her therapy program has developed into a unique rehabilitation center, with 300-400 animals being cared for at any given time.

As all the animals have come to EMAR with injuries or "boo boos" of one type or another, the Refuge has come to be known as the "Boo Boo Zoo".

The no-kill shelter tries not to duplicate services provided by the Maui Humane Society and other animal welfare groups, so its inhabitants include an unusual mix of domestic and wild critters, many of which came to the refuge under heart-wrenching circumstances. They include an axis deer whose spine was broken in a collision with a car and a cat critically burned when it was thrown into a campfire.

Fifteen volunteers help the Schwabs run the refuge, which has an annual budget of approximately $220,000. The money all comes from private donations, mostly by word of mouth but also from in-kind contributions from feed stores, veterinarians and others.

Right now, the BooBooZoo.org is having a raffle fundraiser. They had some wonderful wines donated, and they are holding a drawing/raffle to win these bottles. The wine is on the mainland, and will be mailed to the winners once the drawing is completed.

If you'd like to support this non-profit, and perhaps score on an awesome bottle of wine, raffle tickets are only $10 each. and they accept Paypal. To buy a ticket, please go to www.booboozoo.org

All tickets need to be sold by November 15, 2007.