UPDATE: We are ONLY $570 SHORT from reaching our goal of $5k. Please donate if you can (any bit helps) so we can get back on track and continue our critically-important work giving animals a second chance A huge thank you to everyone who has already given and pledged to continue giving, through monthly support (click here to join now). You are true Cottontail Cottagers and we are eternally grateful to you for partnering with us on our mission to provide compassion, respect, dignity and love to rescued farm and companion animals who have suffered severe neglect and abuse and give them a place to call home. Please DONATE NOW! We are so, so close!!! Thank you!!
Read the full-story below. . .
There’s been trouble at the farm.
It's been a rough few weeks here and there's no other way to say it. It has taken me awhile to put things into perspective and I apologize in advance for not speaking sooner, but I've needed time to come to a brighter place. Safe to say, this past April has not been my favorite. (Please read until the end to find out why.)
What started out as a much-hoped for spring (after such a long winter) soon turned into bitter disappointment with the onset of endless cold, wet, dismal days that all of us – including the animals - keenly felt. And then, there seemed to be a string of problems: Peony, the bunny, had a bellyache and had to be taken to the vets; one of the horses somehow managed to bump her eye resulting in another visit from the vet; April is also the time for worming and vaccinations, including repeat visits by our vet for booster shots (expenses to the tune of well over $1,500.) Add into that a visit from our farrier and endless spring projects needing immediate attention (including, finally addressing forever, the wet pastures) and you’ve a world of worry on your back. April is tax season and on top of all the crazy inflations going around (add-in price spikes for animal food, supplies, grain and hay) unsurprisingly, there's been a worrisome drop in donations. Mathew and I give everything we've got to the animals – but unfortunately we are not magicians and hard work isn’t going to pay the bills. It costs around $10k a month just to keep this place going.
As if this were not enough, we had something happen here that to say the least, was deeply disturbing. I went back and forth on whether to include this information, but I know there are many of you who not only care about the animals – but Mathew and I and our family. So here it goes. On Easter eve, I received a missed phone call and voicemail. I am not going into details about what was specifically said, but I will say that it was a malicious death-threat. Never in all the decades of animal rescue work have we ever received anything like this. We immediately called the police. A trooper was sent over. After some reflection, we surmised that this was directly related to an animal neglect case we participated in. Presumably, this person did not appreciate having their animal mistreatment exposed to the public. I suppose this is to be expected when you are dealing with mentally unstable people who think there is nothing wrong with making a misery of an animals’ life. It should also be expected that threats of violence will not stop us from coming to the rescue of innocent beings who cannot defend themselves. Nor will we ever stay silent or keep animal abuse secrets. The only true way animal cruelty will end is by sharing their plight and educating the public about the sad, heart-breaking situations many animals find themselves in - through no fault of their own - and hope that others will join us in the fight. Being animal activists doesn’t always mean you make friends. And these are not the kind of friends we would ever want to have. Thankfully, the police took all this very seriously and have begun an investigation.
This all being said, in a topsy-turvy world I hope you won’t forget our little farm and the 100-rescue animals who still need your friendship and support. Often, I worry that folks assume we are funded by outside resources and are eager to help with the initial rescue not realizing that the animals continue needing financial care. It is amazing how far we’ve gotten them but there’s still a life-time of support needed. That being said, please also remember that every bit helps from $5 dollars to $50 and it all adds up in a big way. Please donate, if you can. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for partnering with us in creating and sustaining this beautiful world where animals are forever safe, secure and loved. You are literal angels and we are forever grateful to you!
I really am sorry this isn’t one of my happier accounts and really it should be because the sun is so lovely today and the sky so blue and April is finally behind us and (sorry this rhymes) but: I know I can count on you.
Love Always From,
Jenny, Mathew and all the creatures – both big and small – at the Cottontail Cottage.
PS: If you are looking for a more regular way to help, we have started a Patreon Page where members receive exclusive content. Membership starts at just $3 a month. Learn More >>>
PSS: You may also like to become a Monthly Donor. This is a HUGE help to us! We love our Cottontail Cottagers who receive a personal email from me keeping them up on all the Barnyard Happenings. Your monthly donation aids in our day-to-day operations and provides food and care for the 100-rescues who call Cottontail home. Join Now >>>
