Sylvan Schwab moved to Maui in 1977. The former Chicago resident had a degree as a photographer and was living in Ma'alaea.

Living in the next apartment complex was his future wife, Suzie, an animal lover who introduced Sylvan to the wonderful world of animals.

One day he went over to her apartment and her parakeet flew on to his shoulder. "That was love at first sight. It was my first bird experience and I thought it was the neatest thing in the world."

Suzie came to Maui because she was dealing with an aggressive cancer. One of the things Sylvan did to help cheer her up was bring her sick and orphaned animals that needed her help. "That was her occupational therapy," says Sylvan.

Since 1977, Sylvan and Suzie Schwab have helped Maui's animals and that hasn't stopped, even today.

In 1989, the East Maui Animal Refuge became a nonprofit organization. It has become a haven for wild animals and pets that are unadoptable.

On their two-acre refuge in Ha'iku, Maui, there are more than 500 animals. You'll see a variety of deer, pigs, goats, horses, cats, owls, geese, chickens, the list goes on.

EMAR is also known affectionately as "the Boo Boo Zoo." You'll see goats that can't walk after being hit by cars, cows born blind and orphans that need round-the-clock bottle feedings. Every year the refuge takes in at least 500 orphans; half of them are wildlife.

Adding to the menagerie are two resident dogs who are very protective of their fellow residents: a Great Dane called Riley, who is deaf, and Boots, formerly an abused dog.

Some people drop off animals, but EMAR does not duplicate the efforts of other rescue organizations. "Since the Maui Humane Society can't care for newborn kittens, we do it," Schwab says. "We only permanently take in cats that have life-threatening situations such as feline leukemia and those that aren't adoptable."

EMAR functions on charitable donations from the public. The entire staff is made up of 24 unpaid volunteers. Sylvan, twice a week, goes to town and picks up overripe fruit and vegetable cuttings from VIP Produce and Longs Drugs to help feed the menagerie.

Their financial situation is dire. Three weeks ago, EMAR made it public that it only had a few days worth of finances to survive. It costs $25,000 every month to keep the refuge running.

"Right now we are hanging there because we put out the word that we are in distress. There's been a good response. We'll never close no matter what. You can't when you have 500 animals. Financially speaking we have about enough funds to keep running for the month of April."

Sylvan says, "It gives our life a purpose. It's extraordinarily fulfilling to take in animals that would have died if we didn't step in."

The Schwabs have given back to the community for 30 years helping rescue animals in need. They need our help now. Please visit their Web site, www.booboozoo.org, to make a donation. They also accept credit cards over the phone at 808-572-8308.

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with The Advertiser for 18 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.