WE NEED YOUR HELP IN A BIG WAY: PLEASE DONATE! These animals not only depend on us but on you. Please help us keep the promise we made to them when we first opened our doors and said: "Come on in. This is your forever home. This is your chance to live the life that you so deserve!"

Dear Friends,

I am writing to ask for your help. It's been one of the worst winters we've had in a long, long time. It has stayed in the single digits to sub-zero temperatures since December. Mathew and I have been battling not only these severe temperatures, but snow - and lots of it! It has been rough sailing for us. The animals are all doing very well, no worries there. We have been working so hard, day and night to ensure that. But with all this bad weather comes high costs - and by that, I mean financially.

Running deicers to prevent water troughs from freezing and extra hay for the animals to eat (unlimited hay acts as an internal heater for the animals); fuel for the tractor to keep up with snow removal; extra bedding, shavings, straw. When one bale of straw costs $10 dollars and you go through many, many of them a week to make sure the bunnies and other animals have big straw piles to cuddle and stay warm in, well, as you can imagine it is very expensive. The cost of running this place, in the winter especially, is incredibly high. Sadly, donations continue to be at an all-time low (thanks to the economic challenges the world is facing) and we are seeing shelters and sanctuaries across the nation close their doors. But we can't let that happen to this place! So, to put it out there (because I know many of you care very, very deeply about these animals and this organization): we could really use your help getting through the last of the winter season.

There has been a lot of worry in my mind and a big weight on my shoulders trying to figure out how to maintain this place. I think it is easy for folks to forget about small rescues like ours, because of the big humane societies and sanctuaries who sometimes, it seems, roll animals in and out like an assembly line. It may be more exciting to donate to these organizations (who receive millions in funding) and forget about the little folk who stay true to their word: working tirelessly day in and day out for the animals and carrying their mission high, like a banner, regardless of all the hurdles they go through to simply exist. But, oh the good they do, not just for the animals, but in the messages they spread. Cottontail Cottage does not take in more animals than we can handle. We don't get caught up in helping more and more and more animals (sadly, for some organizations, it becomes a way to generate donations because people are more apt to donate to new and exciting rescues and forget about the ones who were already saved) not only for financial reasons, but because ultimately, we don't want to jeopardize the welfare of the animals we have already pledged our help to. Neglect can happen in many ways, even in supposed top-notch organizations. It shouldn't be just about making sure the animals have food and clean bedding, it should also be about making sure they feel loved and valued - and that they have a place to call home.

Cottontail Cottage has been in operation since 2012. It is an incredibly special place and we have big, big plans to make this new property a dream, not only for the animals who live here, but for each one of you who are able to visit or enjoy our online presence (we will be open this year for seasonal open houses). And we will continue to operate so long as folks continue to care. Please consider a donation (no amount is too small as it adds up to make a big impact for the animals) and help keep us hopping. These animals not only depend on us but on you. Please help us keep the promise we made to them when we first opened our doors and said: "Come on in. This is your forever home. This is your chance to live the life that you so deserve."

Thank you for your loving support. For all you do for the animals at Cottontail Cottage. And for loving animals with all your heart and helping us make a difference in their lives. PLEASE DONATE AND HELP KEEP US EXISTING!

Much Love,

Jenny and Mathew - and all your animal friends x