Dear Friends of Cottontail Cottage,

It's that time of year again when we look back at all we've accomplished and remember our past joys, heartbreaks, challenges, and future dreams. It is also a time to thank our beloved supporters, without whom we wouldn't be here today. And for that, we are utterly grateful to you! It truly takes a village to care for all these rescues, and it is a relief to know that you are there to help in our mission to provide a safe, loving home for animals in need.

In some ways, it's been a challenging year. Due to the rising cost of living, donations aren't what they used to be - and that is a real worry. Hay prices have skyrocketed, and grain prices as well. For this reason,  we want to knock this Annual Appeal out of the ballpark ! End-of-year giving is our biggest and most counted on fundraiser. Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation and help keep us hopping! It would be the greatest gift of all this Holiday Season! And if you have already donated, well, you are angels walking on earth and we are incredibly grateful to you! 

So, let's look back! The first of the old year saw the arrival of two horses we pulled from a kill-pen in Pennsylvania. Thanks to some wonderful donors, we got them out before being loaded on a truck and transported to a slaughterhouse in Canada or Mexico. As the saying goes: "saving just one horse will not change the world, but surely it will change the world for that one horse." And in this case, there were two. We decided to call these beautiful Morgan geldings Royal and Bear.

At 17 years old, Royal had spent his entire life pulling Amish families in carts. Sadly, perhaps due to his age, this majestic being was discarded - without a thought to his long years of hard service. It was the end of the road for him. We soon arranged for transport, and that is when we heard about Bear. Lost in the overcrowded lot with a bad knee, we couldn't leave him like that. So, Bear was picked up along with Royal, and they spent the next six weeks at a quarantine barn in Pennsylvania. Here, they could rest, recover, and receive critical veterinary care. Fast forward to mid-February, and the two boys finally arrived! It was a moment neither Mathew nor I will ever forget. Nor the freedom run that soon followed.

We saved other animals this past year, including a pair of tiny lionhead rabbits discovered behind a house in a container the size of a fish tackle box. The owners had been evicted for drugs, and it was thanks to a thoughtful neighbor who made this discovery on a hot summer day. The authorities were notified, and the officers asked if we could take them in. Of course, we said yes. Sadly, we get multiple requests a day for rabbit surrenders. Once again, we can't save them all. But we will always step in to help when we can - especially a case of animal cruelty.

It was a long road getting these little gentlemen bunnies back to health; they were thin and dehydrated and, on top of that, literally covered in fleas. The infestation was so bad that they had become anemic - a threat to their lives. We started out calling them "Ginger and Pickles." But, once we got to know them better, they were renamed, "Macho" and "Manly" - because regardless of their half-pint sizes, they were real tough guys. And thanks again to our beloved donors they now have a second chance. 

From January to the writing of this newsletter, Mathew and I have worked from dawn to dusk, determined to complete a long list of projects. Looking back, it's incredible how much we accomplished. We built a new house for the ducks and chickens as well as a pond and forest pasture. Work was done on our half-mile woodland track where we exercise the horses (being physically fit is essential to their overall health and they love long walks in the forest). We painted the barn; expanded our pastures and installed new fencing. A parking lot was put in by the house - and, well, the list goes on and on. We work incredibly hard for these animals because we love them - and just like you - care so much.

There have been some heartbreaks. This past year saw the passing of some dear old friends. One of them was our beloved George. George the duck battled serious injuries before coming here. Sadly, injuries that would follow him the rest of his days. Despite this, George was brave, strong, and determined to live each day to its fullest (a lesson to us all). Until eventually, the fighting spirit left him, and we knew the kindest thing to do was let George go. Let him fly free to his eternal home.

We lost some of our old rabbits, which is always hard. Did you know that I remember the story of every one of our residents? I remember their arrival; the people who brought them; and why it was vital for them to come here. When our time together ends, it is always sad. But glad, too! For think of what their life would have been if they hadn't come here.  And that is precisely why this place is so special. And that is also why we need your help to keep it going. 

What are our plans for next year? Well, we have so many! Firstly, to have an active visitor season and exciting events where visitors can walk the beautiful new woodland track and spend time with the animals. A hay and tractor equipment barn needs to be built, and an addition off the back of the main barn for the horses. The big bunny barn needs to be insulated, with electricity and a heat pump installed keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A new dream we have yet to share is to develop a nature preserve to protect our wildlife and forestland with walking trails for visitors. Thinking of all these new projects and ways to grow and expand this magical place is exciting! Please contact us if you would like to fund any of these very special projects.

I want to end this newsletter by asking for your help because we genuinely need it. We still have $10k left to raise of our goal for $20k. Any amount helps, whether it is $10, $50, or $1,000 - your donation adds up in a big way, so please donate (and to those of you who already have: well, you are heroes in our book because we couldn't do any of this without the support of our beloved donors.) May God keep you safe and happy in the New Year to come. Many blessings to all! 

Love Always,

Jenny & Mathew 

(Donations are tax-deductible and may also be mailed to: CCFS, 471 Milbridge Road, Cherryfield, Maine 04622.)