When Cheryl and Stefan Fontenot moved from a subdivision to a 7 plus acre tract of land off Hwy. 621, she passed the word around that she wanted a rooster to add to the country charm of the property. Within weeks a couple of friends dropped off a rooster each. That began what she now calls Fur, Feathers, and Fins.
Soon they acquired a pair of white tail deer, obtained a license from the Dept. of Agriculture, built a 7500 ft. 10 foot fence and then began letting friends come out to pet their very docile deer. It became very clear to them that the buck needed to be named Nosey because he is so curious and loves the attention he gets from those who will give it. Old Mama, sometimes called Hairlip, because of an injury to her lip has added a buck and two does over the last three years. Old Mama gave birth to her third fawn on July 3, 2008. She is named Dolly. Now there are 7 white tail deer. Some are named. Others are not.
When the neighbors of their son's friends complained about the Baa of the little lamb they had bought to Bar B Q but decided to keep as a pet, they called and asked if the Fontenot's would take it. Originally named Barbie, granddaughter, Hannah renamed her Delila. Delila now thinks she is a deer and sticks very close to Old Mama.
Parish workers cut a tree down to clear a drainage canal one day and discovered two baby squirrels in a hollow. Cheryl happened to be eating at the Gulf Net Seafood Restaurant at the time and they asked if she would take them. Their eyes were not yet opened and everyone determined that since they would not survive on their own that she should try to bottle feed them. Today they are alive and well established in their new cage built just for them. Hannah couldn't resist naming them Chip and Dale.
While visiting Rosehill, one can see many animals running freely on the property. There are tame rabbits often grazing near vistors. a pair of quineas scurrrying around, a mother duck sitting on her eggs in a nearby flower pot, and huge catfish come to the surface to feed when food is offered. Cats and dogs frolick playfully around your feet and the birds and squirrels enjoy the seeds in the many feeders hanging on the trees.
There are other animals living in cages while many others just drop in to visit. In addition to the ones already mentioned there are pheasants, turkeys, peacocks, button quail, silkies, banties, and a goose.
A pot bellied pig named Star arrived on September 27, 2008 to join the Fontenot's other pets.
Early in the morning wood ducks arrive to graze on corn by the fish house. They soon leave only to return in the late afternoon. Cheryl sits and sips her ice tea while watching as they drop in two or three at a time repeatedly each evening before sunset.
The rugged piece of land had seven wild pink rose bushes on it when the Fontenot's moved here. The name Rosehill is connected to the Kernan's (Cheryl's family name) who first came to America from the vicinity of Rosehill, in Cavan County, Ireland. These facts inspired the name.
Because Cheryl was brought up to share with those around her, Rosehill Habitat, Inc. was formed as a non profit organization to allow others within the surrounding community to share in the experience and to promote the idea of saving the environment for future citizens to enjoy.