STATE OF THE SANCTUARY – WINTER 2014
This past year we have rescued /retired/rehabilitated a number and variety of animals. Now the population of critters is at the “bursting at the seams†stage. Although we have found homes for some, most of them stay with us. The majority of individuals is llama , but we have 5 alpacas, 5 goats, 2 sheep, 4 Guinea hens, 1 Standard Poodle, 1 Kowakian Monkey Lizard disguised as a mixed breed dog and 4 very distinguished cats ranging in age from 2 years to 17 years.
We have also sent a few of these friends over the Rainbow Bridge, some of their own volition, some we had to help. Losing them is the hardest part of this kind of work, but it is also the kindest thing in many situations.
We are gifted with a family of ravens, some beautiful owls, bald eagles, deer, so many squirrels we can’t keep track and such a variety of wild birds that we have to keep going to the “Birds of Washington†book to try to identify them! Then there are the raccoons….yes, they are cute, but since they dearly love to kill chickens and other smallish things we try to keep them away. For some reason the llamas apparently don’t consider them a danger so they ignore them. We hear coyotes almost every night and the llamas DO keep them at bay with alarm calls.
There have been some nasty wind and rain storms so far this winter, causing a few trees to fall – miraculously none did any damage – so that makes more firewood available for anyone who wants to come get some (hint, hint)!
We’re still renting a barn and pasture space just up the road where we keep new members of the population initially, and some of the animals who have health and/or behavior issues and need to be among a smaller group. That space is overfull right now so when our barn on the bigger property is finished we’ll be able to shuffle some around and still give them the type of care and attention required.
We now have a Go Fund Me account (http://www.gofundme.com/iucb4c) to help us finish building the long-awaited barn. Do take a look!
Lastly, but most important . . . we thank our VOLUNTEERS. There is absolutely no way we could continue this work if it were not for them: Kathryn, Michael, Lissa, Haley, Will, Emily, Ben, Katie, Kelly, Adam …..
AND a big HURRAY and HUGS to all those who have donated to us financially and with in-kind donations! We truly love you all! We are eternally grateful and wish you
blessings of the season and a most wonderful new year.
