A farm animal sanctuary in Ohio says donations have fallen so sharply that it can no longer take in additional rescues while continuing to care for the animals already living there.
At Foreverland Farm in Mt. Orab, the financial strain has already led to dozens of turned-down requests from the community.
Here's what to know
Founder and executive director Brittney Kane said the nonprofit has had to decline about 50 requests for help placing animals because its finances are well below normal levels. WKRC reported that the sanctuary's funding is "about 50 percent down from where it typically is," creating significant pressure on day-to-day operations.
Foreverland Farm is caring for 110 animals on 15 acres. Kane said the farm is home to "chickens, goats, sheep, and pigs. We have a llama, a cow, and we have a lot of horses."
Founded in 2018, the nonprofit later purchased its Mt. Orab property in 2021. Some animals were rescued, others surrendered, and some came to the sanctuary after their former owners could no longer afford their medical care.
One of the sanctuary's residents is a turkey named Rumor, whose story Kane shared. "Rumor was going to be used for Thanksgiving dinner, so we took him in a little bit before Thanksgiving, and he's been with us, oh my gosh, almost since the beginning, probably late 2018," she said.
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More background
Animal sanctuaries often serve as a final refuge for farm animals that have been abandoned, surrendered, neglected, or are at risk of slaughter.
Running the sanctuary costs roughly $1,500 a day, Kane said, reflecting the ongoing expense of feeding and caring for such a large and varied group of animals.
What can be done?
Foreverland Farm is seeking a private-foundation grant that would match up to $10,000, WKRC reported. The sanctuary has raised $6,000, leaving it short of the amount needed to secure the full match.
If that total is reached, Kane said the money would cover feed for about two months and give the sanctuary some temporary relief as it works toward longer-term solutions.
"It's honestly exceeded all of my expectations; that's why it's been such a struggle lately thinking that, you know, this beautiful thing that we've all built together could be taken away," Kane said. "That's been the hardest part."
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