Spring is a whirlwind of renewal, growth, and most importantly, it’s an extremely important time for the rescued animals at The Gentle Barn. As the seasons change, so do the needs of our animals. We need your help to raise $100,000 essential for caring for our nearly 200 rescued animals. We work hard for the animals all year, but spring is the busiest and most expensive time for animal care at The Gentle Barn.
As the weather gets warmer, we ensure our animals have comfortable sleeping arrangements, replacing warm straw with clean, cool sand for those warmer nights, a cost that adds up to nearly $10,000 in the sand alone at each of our locations. This time of year, we also start going through A LOT more hay! Fresh hay isn't merely a dietary necessity for our animals; it's their very lifeline. It's not just about food- our pigs, chickens, turkeys, and peacock rely on grass and hay for their nests and bedding, making each truckload of hay a vital investment. With each bale costing $25, the cost quickly adds up to approximately $12,000 per location per month.
Beyond essential seasonal upgrades, spring is when all our animals must have their annual checkups, preventative testing, and deworming treatments. As the weather gets warmer, our sheep greatly rely on gentle shearing to stay cool, while our llamas and alpacas eagerly await their haircuts. From hood trimming to dental care, each member of our sanctuary family requires specialized attention. We ensure our animals are protected from disease and insects by providing them with natural fly sprays and specialized fly masks. We spare no expense in guaranteeing their comfort and safety so they can live long, happy lives with us at our sanctuaries.
Here are some of the ways you can help animals during our spring care fundraiser:
- $35,000 for 3 truckloads of fresh hay for each location to sustain our animals throughout the spring months
- $10,000 to replace warm winter straw with cooling sand bedding
- $7,000 to trim the hooves of all our pigs, cows, and horses
- $5,600 for horse hoof trims
- $5,000 for dental exams and treatments for all horses
- $5,000 for new horse stall mats to protect our horse’s hooves and joints
- $1500 for lab tests for parasite detection
- $1,000 for gentle sheep shearing and llama haircuts to keep them cool
- $900 for protective gear such as fly masks and fly spray
With spring being the most expensive season for the animals at The Gentle Barn, we ask you to help take action now to make a profound difference in the lives of our rescued animals. The cost of quality care continues to rise, and we need your support to meet these demands. Your donation today is not just a contribution; it's a lifeline. With your support, we can continue to provide the essential care and attention our animals deserve. Join us in our mission to protect, nurture, and love our resilient animals. Together, we can ensure a brighter, healthier future for all. Donate now and be a hero for the animals!
Your support and dedication ensures that these rescued animals receive the specialized care they need. Winter is hard on all of our animals, but the cold is especially difficult for the seniors who suffer from arthritis. We’re stocking up on warm straw, winter feed, and making gentle care plans to help our seniors through the season. To help them continue to thrive, we need your help to provide unique gentle care, keeping them healthy, happy, and comfortable. Make a donation today to support our work and be a part of their healing journey.
