MANITOWANING—Glo Farm Sanctuary, located on Manitoulin Island, is a safe and loving forever home provided to rescued farm animals. This sanctuary does not merely meet the physical, social and emotional needs of its animals, it exceeds them. They ensure each individual animal is thriving from the day they arrive to their final days. And that costs money for this non-profit farm.
A GoFundMe has been organized for the sanctuary by volunteer Leanna Ellisa who explains in her initial appeal: “Spring is a time for renewal, and with your donation, we can make sure these animals are protected, healthy, and ready to enjoy the bright days ahead! Your contribution will go directly—100 percent—to covering the costs of vaccines, preventative health checks, medicines, food, shelter, and the daily love and attention they so richly deserve.”
“It really shows our focus on preventative health care,” said Ali Valentine, founder and executive director of Glo Farm. The goal set for the GoFundMe was $10,000. “We were asked, ‘Well, what happens if you go over your goal?’ and we did go over our goal, but one of the things that it’s important for people to know is that there’s no such thing as extra money in charity,” Ms. Valentine explained. There are the daily expenses of running the farm, and then there are those unexpected expenses that are sure to occur. “Almost half our animals are at the end of their natural life in the next five years,” Ms. Valentine said.
This GoFundMe which currently stands a little over its goal, runs till May 17, and you can easily find it by going to Glo Farm’s Facebook page. “And that is it for our spring fundraiser, but we’re always looking for new fundraising ideas, so before long there’ll be something in the works. Because, as a charity we are not only not-for-profit, but we always run at a monthly loss,” Ms. Valentine explained. “For this reason, Glo Farm is always trying to increase monthly donors. Never underestimate $5 a month,” Ms. Valentine said. You can become a patron with monthly donations through PayPal or Canada Helps, or e-transfer, and one-time donations are also welcome through any of those methods.
| Read our related stories: |
| • Glo Farm sanctuary welcomes neighbours (2023) • Ali Valentine hosts long term care shelter for farm animals (2023) |
Leanna Ellisa’s final appeal on the GoFundMe page tugs at the heart of all animal lovers: “Please consider making a donation today, whether as a one-time gift or a monthly supporter. Together, we can continue to provide a safe, loving environment for these animals to live out their lives in. Your support means the world to them—and to us.”
by Margery Frisch
