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Fitler Vibe: Animal Edition

09.12.2021
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PETS. They are not for everybody. Yet, for those of us who are or have been bonded with an animal, we understand how powerful a relationship with a pet can be. This edition of The Vibe explores ways in which animals brighten our lives.

 

From Essentialist

Our exclusive travel partner, Essentialist, has put together some ideal destinations that bring you closer to the animal kingdom.
Words by Blaire Dessent.

From cow cuddling to spotting wild leopards in Botswana, these destination-worthy resorts are offering thoughtful, one-of-a-kind experiences with animals that will please young and old alike. If you’ve ever thought about a vacation that connects you with animals, activate your Essentialist membership here and start your travel planning!

 


 

 

Finger Lakes, NY

Mountain Horse Farm

Set in the ruggedly beautiful Finger Lakes region in upstate New York, about 4.5 hours from Philadelphia, the Mountain Horse Farm is an intimate wellness retreat and welcoming bed & breakfast with 5-spacious rooms. Set on 33-acres of land dotted with walking and riding trails that allow guests to re-connect with nature in a peaceful way, the Mountain Horse Farm is also a cow and horse sanctuary that offers its guests the opportunity to interact with the animals through unique experiences that include playing, grooming and cow cuddling. These serene and laid-back animal-connection experiences are nothing like any petting zoo and the animals are not bred, grown for food or required to perform in any way so the hotel staff have developed special relationships with the animals and understand their habits and personalities.

 

 

Exclusive to the hotel guests, private sessions run 60-minutes and can be for 1-4 people of the same family or group. Being so close to animals for no other purpose but to be, is something quite special for young children, but it is also appreciated by adults for its healing and therapeutic potential as well as general enjoyment and reboot from city life.

Highlight: While life on the farm is serene and idyllic, an added bonus is the property’s location at just 5-10-minute drive to well-known wineries and restaurants should you want to get out and explore.

 

 

Montana

The Resort at Paws Up + The Ranch at Rock Creek

In recent years, the welcoming dude ranch-style vacation has been nearly perfected, mixing serious engagement with horses and wildlife with a 21st century approach to comfort and luxury. For families as well as couples, Montana is a great option and is home to several excellent properties, with The Resort at Paws Up and The Ranch at Rock Creek being two of Essentialist’s favorites. Both ranches are all-inclusive and this tends to be the standard considering their remote locations as well as the underlying goal of completely unwinding and letting yourself be catered to during the vacation.

The Resort at Paws Up is described as a national park but private, and with 37,000 acres of land this is not an understatement. Whether guests choose to stay in one of their secluded luxurious cabin homes, safari tents or modernist-style tree houses, which are at their sister property The Green O, they are totally immersed in the landscape. The ultimate in dude ranch experiences, Paws Up offers a Montana Cattle Drive experience that lets you ride along with the ranchers as they find, collect and heard over 800 cattle. In addition, all range of horseback riding experiences are offered, from corralling to leisurely trail rides to full-speed gallops across acres of colorful pasture lands.

 

 

The Ranch at Rock Creek is located on 10-square miles of Montana ranchland and features 29-lodge rooms with custom furnishings and a glamping-approach to style. As close to a safari as it may come in the USA, the Ranch offers guided expeditions to see local wildlife that is teeming with elk, moose, foxes and big-horn sheep, among others, but is also known for its bird-watching from bald and golden eagles to hawks and grouse. But, the region is perhaps best known for its horses. The Ranch offers all-levels of horseback riding experiences from beginner to advanced, but the approach remains true to Montana’s values of freedom and connection to the land.

Highlight: For both properties, after a day of sport and adventure, coming back to delicious and beautifully prepared meals served in room/cabin or in one of the restaurants.

 

The African Safari

Jack’s Camp + Xigera Lodge

African Safari is a bucket list favorite and for good reason; the experience is transformative and unlike anything else in the world. Whether you are looking for gorillas in the Rwandan rainforest or seeking out gazelles on the Serengeti, the chance to immerse yourself so fully with wild animals is exceptional.

 

 

Essentialist recommends spending 4-5 nights each in one or two camps, or perhaps three camps depending on the amount of time you have so as to more deeply engage with the surroundings, get to know the guides, and of course, better connect with the animals. As Essentialist’s safari expert says, “When you’ve tracked the same pride of lion over 2-3 days, you feel as if you know them, as if you are a part of something bigger than yourself. That is the magic of a safari.”

Botswana is one destination that offers two very different environments––the Kalahari Desert and the delta waterways. Jack’s Camp is a longtime Essentialist favorite. Set in the northeast of the country, above the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans and the stunning Kalahari, it has a laid-back style yet the level of comfort and caretaking is exceptional, as is the animal viewing. With only ten large and luxurious canvas tents for accommodations (with spacious bathrooms inside), it is an intimate setting that will make you feel lightyears away from civilization. As for animal sightings, there is the possibility of seeing herds of zebra, wildebeests, Kalahari lions and rare species such as the brown hyena. Flamingos and other migratory birds can also be in abundance depending on the season.

Highlight: Walking out with San Bushmen and spending time with wild meerkats.

 

 

From the desert to the delta, the recently opened Xigera Lodge is situated in the Okavango Delta, on the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve and surrounded by water. This lodge is one of the most secluded and private in the country and provides a very luxurious as well as thoughtfully sustainable approach to hospitality. Spot giraffes, elephants and leopards one day and the next glide along the water in a boat or glass-bottomed canoe, to seek out a host of stunning birds, hippos and elephants.

Highlight: Xigera’s twelve-sumptuous safari tents feature gorgeous hand-crafted furnishings and textiles by African artists and artisans that showcase the incredible talent and tradition of the country.

 

While each of these destinations and properties are vastly different, they all have a deep appreciation for the animal world and a common goal of sharing this appreciation and beauty with their guests. To learn more about any of these or other properties, reach out to membership@essentialist.com for more!

 


 

Fitler Club has teamed up with PURR Philly by offering Kitten Yoga classes that both raise funds for PURR and expose our members to adoption and foster opportunities for kittens in need. Shauna Frye from PURR answered a few questions for us about the organization and ways members can get involved.

Q: PURR Philly is a charity dedicated to helping homeless, neglected and abused animals in the Philadelphia area with a focus on cats. What is PURR’s origin story and how did you get involved?

A: PURR began as a grassroots effort amongst a few individuals who had one thing in common; a soft spot for the stray cats of Philadelphia. What started out as doing small TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) projects in a few areas of South Philadelphia turned into a much bigger effort as the enormity of the problem became evident. We would hear stories about terrible abuses being committed against stray cats and kittens which fueled our passion to help them. The primary focus of PURR continues to be spay/neuter, because we believe this is the only way to truly combat the problem of cat overpopulation and the suffering that goes along with it. However, we also believe that every cat that crosses our path deserves to be evaluated to determine the best course of action for them.

 

 

I am always amazed at the incredible strength and character of cats. I have seen cats who have endured incredible abuses but still had so much trust and love to give. I love their independence and how different each of their personalities can be. And, of course, there are few things in life that are filled with such pure innocence and joy than a kitten!

Q: Tell us more about the cat sanctuary!

A: During our TNR adventures, it was not uncommon to come across situations in which the cats absolutely could not be returned to the location at which they were trapped. Sometimes this was due to threats against them or to construction that was occurring. Ultimately, we decided to purchase a property that would serve as a “cat sanctuary.” The cats who are residents of the sanctuary were cats that could not be returned to their previous home but are not adoptable in the traditional sense. They have numerous shelters and are fed twice a day. They also have a caretaker who lives on the property and truly loves them. This was a pretty significant financial undertaking for us as the expense of paying a mortgage, providing food, shelter, medical needs, and anything else that pops up can run high. However, we don’t regret it for a minute and are so proud that we can provide a safe place for the cat residents to call home.

 

 

Q: Fitler Club wants to help and one way we are doing that is by offering Kitten Yoga classes. What are the benefits of Kitten Yoga and how do these classes impact PURR?

A: Kitten yoga is amazing in so many ways for both people and the kittens! Not only do the individuals participating in the class receive the traditional benefits of yoga, the added pleasure of playing with kittens and watching them romp around takes it to the next level! Kitten yoga is also a fantastic experience for the kittens as it helps them in their socialization process and also burns off a ton of their seemingly endless kitten energy! The fact that all of the funds collected for the class are donated to PURR is the icing on the cake and makes it a huge win for us, too!! We are so appreciative for all the good that Fitler Club does for the community and are especially grateful that PURR is one of the recipients of their kindness and generosity!

 

 

Q: How can Fitler Club members get involved?

A: There are so many ways to get involved! We are always looking for volunteers to assist on our TNR projects or even just provide transportation. We can always use more foster homes for both kittens and adult cats – all you really need is an extra room for them to start in. We desperately need help with fundraising and/or writing grants. We are looking for people to coordinate specific events, such as an adoption event, a food drive or a shelter-building workshop, all of which are so crucial to helping the cats of Philadelphia. And, last but not least, we can always use monetary donations! Check out our website at www.purrphilly.com to learn more about PURR and ways to get involved!

 

 

Fitler Club’s Food and Beverage Manager, Danielle Lasasso, is the proud mama to Ravioli, a foster kitten she met during Fitler Club’s inaugural Kitten Yoga event. Danielle has this to say about her experience with PURR:

‘A HUGE thank you to Fitler Club and PURR Philly for helping me find the missing piece to my little family! Ravioli, aka Ravi, has found his PURRever home. He enjoys playing and cuddling with his big sister Kova who was in need of a friend while I’m at work. PURR was so accommodating through the whole adoption process! They even left him with food and treats. Truly an amazing rescue experience! I can’t wait to see all the kittens at the next Kitten Yoga at Fitler Club! Thank you again to all who helped bring Ravi home!’

 

 

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