Looking back at 2009

Winter 2009 newsletter

by Wayne Geiger

Being at the Sanctuary every day, I always see more that needs to be done. Thinking about the previous year, however, makes me realize how far we’ve come.

Saying goodbye: We will miss them!

Stevie—the blind steer
Cale—one of the original 4 sheep from the starvation case
Carmen—our turkey hen that was found after being tossed from a car
Adolf—the abandoned Barred Rock Rooster

Rescued and new residents

Pride and Lady Maya—horses from the Foster Lake rescues
The Ladies—6 cows from McMinnville
Monster—the abandoned 1 year-old pony stallion
Sophie—the former rodeo horse
The Rockets—the fancy breed chickens that lost their home
Sunny—the abandoned turkey chick
Johnny—the Muscovy duck that walked all the way over from our neighbors. We know he walked over because he arrived with clipped wings.
Blossom Joy—the little goat that was attacked by dogs

Facility improvements

Finished all of the perimeter fences: all of our 54 acres are safe and secure
New cow shelter
New dove aviary
New feral cat house
Pump house painted
Outdoor hand washing station installed
House painted
The old collapsed barn is almost gone

Organizations and angencies we've worked with

Linn County Sheriff Department
Linn County Juvenile Department
Linn County Child Protective Services
Linn County District Attorney
Linn County Mounted Posse
Safe Haven Humane Society
Humane Society of the United States
Bureau of Land Management
Oregon Horse Welfare Council
Willamette Humane Society
In Defense of Animals
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Oregon Humane Society
Washington County Animal Control
Lane County Animal Control
Linn County Animal Rescue
Fences for Fido

Legislative activities

SB 398—provides penalties for abandoning horses
The Puppy Mill Bill

On-site events

Easter Celebration
2nd Year Anniversary
Children’s Farm Camp
Wine & Music at the Farm
Gentle Thanksgiving
Tours
Birthday Parties

Promotions and presentations

Pet and Companion Expo
Let Live Foundation Series
Let Live Foundation Conference
NW Veg “VegFest”
OSU Vet School Pet Fair
Willamette University Chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SADLF)
OSU PreVet Club

Looking toward the future...

“Farm Encounters”—ongoing children’s Humane Education Program
New horse barn—replacing the old barn that collapsed
Capital Campaign Matching Gift Project coming in 2010
Education/Training Center—Capital Campaign Matching Gift Project coming in 2010
New hay barn to store the huge amount of donated hay
Animal Environment Enrichment Program
Increase Board Members—if interested in being involved in this very crucial work, please contact us
Further develop our volunteer program
Increase our outreach by making presentations to Civic Groups, i.e. Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber Greeters and others
Strengthen our foster and adoption programs

These might seem like lofty goals, especially during these hard economic times, but we will refuse to let this keep us down. We have survived where others have not, and we will make our presence known if you continue to help.