Dedicated to animals

Summer 2009 newsletter

by Lynda Amaral

Wayne with kitty on his shoulder. This was a kitten Wayne found in our chicken barn. It has a new home and is doing well. The Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary does not accept companion animals such as cats, dogs or exotic birds. However, we presume this kitten was abandoned.

I first met Wayne Geiger in the mid 1980’s. I was on a committee interviewing candidates for the Humane Society of Humboldt County in Northern California. We were in the process of hiring a Shelter Manager/State Humane Officer.

Of the five or so candidates, one stood out from all the others. His name was Wayne Geiger. After a lengthy discussion, committee members unanimously agreed to hire this man. One outstanding quality about Wayne is his caring and compassion for all animals.

Now, nearly twenty-five years later, Wayne is still committed to trying to improve conditions for our animal friends— farm animals, in particular. That is why he started the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary.
This is reason enough for me to support the Sanctuary in any way I can. It is important to me that living conditions and care for all animals be improved. However, farm animals (poultry, swine, equine, bovine, etc.) are used for food by a large number of people and don’t seem to receive the same respect as our companion animals (dogs, cats, birds) might. This in no way diminishes their ability to feel pain from neglect or starvation. They are just as sensitive as our companion animals.

I urge you to support Wayne and his endeavor to improve the quality of life for the 200 or so animals who are fortunate enough to live at the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary. There are many more animals out there who will seek refuge at the Sanctuary in the future. We must continue to be there to provide for these animals in any way we can.
Check out our website (www.lighthousefarmsanctuary.org) for updates and join us for a work party, attend an event, come visit the animals, sponsor an animal, make a donation or volunteer. I guarantee it will help you feel better in these not-so-good times.

If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to join in and support Wayne in his efforts to help the farm animals in need.