If a suspicious looking woman is spotted in a neighbors yard after dark, clutching an armload of pink, plastic flamingos, darting around lawn sculptures and diving into bushes to hide from passing cars-don't worry-it's for a good cause.

For Teri Ensley, papering an unexpected someone's yard with plastic birds, decorated in boas and Mardi Gras beads, holds a higher purpose than playing practical jokes on loved ones for special occasions.

"Flocking," as it's called, is part of a fundraising effort by the Furry Faces Foundation, one of West Seattle's newest non profits, founded by Ensley to help animals in need. The foundation directs funds for animal medical care to three beneficiary animal rescue groups; Royal Hounds, Feral Care and Friends of the Animal Foundation.

"We are having fun while raising money for animals," said Ensley, who by day is a regional manager at the Boeing Company. "We try to do fundraisers that are good fun and that also involve the community."

Funds from the project goes towards helping these groups keep a balance in their accounts to pay for medical expenses, said Ensley.

"Sometimes, where animals really get hurt is in medical expenses," she said. "Most of these kinds of groups are so busy doing the rescuing that they don't often have the time or resources for fundraising and important surgeries or medicines can be overlooked."

Ensley's been flocking homes across West Seattle for the last two years, and has coordinated plant and wreath sales for more than six years--all to raise money for animals. Some friends convinced her to make her good deeds official, finally creating the new foundation this year.

On covert, flocking missions Ensley leaves after dark and sometimes stays out past midnight, making sure each flamingo is properly situated and appropriately decorated with flashy accessories and hokey clothing.

"We get the tackiest flamingos we can find--we want there to be no question that it's a joke," she said.

But, Ensley confessed, "I have gotten caught a couple of times."

Once in a dead end alleyway, with nowhere to hide and arms spilling over with the artificial birds, a car drove slowly past Ensley-and all she could do was sheepishly wave hello.

"The driver took one look at me and shook his head," Ensley said. "There I am in a light blue top and a light blue shorts and white legs-I was just shining!"

Here's how it works. Call the flamingo hotline or fill out an order form at participating West Seattle businesses (see below), and for $10 per five flamingo flock, give a special someone a surprise when they wake up to find their lawn peppered with pink flamingos. The person flocked can also designate who will next receive the flamingos.

Flocking wars can start by calling the hotline and donating $20 to find out who flocked you-then pay to flock them back. Insurance is $20 for those who wish not to be flocked back. Last year, the flamingos raised $1,700.

Volunteers will secretly be moving the flocks from one location to another every two days throughout September.

Oliver's Fund is another program operated by Furry Faces. Though in its early stages, the program focuses on helping people on fixed incomes pay for unexpected veterinary care. So far, Oliver's Fund has one client, Jack, a 6-year-old cat whose owner is elderly and suffers from serious health problems.

"Having Jack has put such a bright spot in this person's life," said Ensley. "For some people, an animal could be the only unconditional love they receive."

Studies show that, especially with the elderly, having a pet really helps a person's health, physically and psychologically, she said, and "we want to make sure they continue to get that support."

For more information or to volunteer for night flocking escapades, contact the Flamingo hotline at 932-1652 or furryfaces@hotmail.com. Order forms can be picked up, completed and dropped off at Hotwire On-line Coffeehouse at 4410 California Ave. S.W.; Liberty Bell Printing at 4736 California Ave. S.W. or Pet Elements at 6701 California Ave. S.W.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com