The Barnyard Sanctuary, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation

Urgent: The Barnyard Sanctuary COVID-19 Emergency Plans
 
Like you, we here at The Barnyard Sanctuary are keeping a close watch on the news about the Coronavirus.   Many of you are thinking about ways to prepare and keep your family safe.   We are also working towards plans to continue to keep the many animals in our care safe and fed.
 
While we do not want to panic, we are beginning to understand that our daily routines that we often take for granted will soon be affected in profound ways.  Between a spike in demand for items like hand sanitizer, masks, paper goods, and medicines, and breakdowns in supply chains due to travel restrictions and import bans, it is only a matter of time before the food and goods supply chain is severely impacted.  With a responsibility to feed over 600 animals, that thought has forced us to take a hard look at how we would survive.  The fact is, we wouldn’t. 
 
That is why we are making an emergency appeal for help to fill our storage sheds with enough feed, hay and medicines to last at least 4 months.  While most families have enough food in the cabinets to last a while, we rely on our weekly deliveries to keep our animals fed.  If the deliveries stop, so does our ability to care for the animals.
 
We made a promise to those who call The Barnyard Sanctuary their home – a promise that we will love them and care for them for as long as they live here.  Will you help us keep them safe during this uncertain time?  Please donate now, either by using our GoFundMe page or by visiting our website.  Time is of the essence!  We need this money now in order to purchase the very large quantities we need, get them shipped to the supplier and delivered to us….before any restrictions are placed.  
 
Please help us. These beautiful rescued farm animals have already been saved from hardship and uncertainty once before, when they came to live with us.  They now live a happy and healthy life here at The Barnyard Sanctuary.  We must make sure that they are protected and fed, just as you would protect your own family.  In this case, failure would mean starvation for our animals, and we cannot let that happen.  Any amount you can give would help ensure their safety.
 
Thank you!
Tamala Lester, Founding Director
The Barnyard Sanctuary
 
 
Breakdown of funds needed:
 
Bulk feed bags:  $850/week                           $14,450
Misc feed/Tractor Supply: $250/wk          $   4,250
Hay: $1,600/wk                                                     $27,200
Medicine restock:                                                 $   2,500     
Add’l storage shed:                                               $   2,500
TOTAL                                                                          $50,900
 

In the past 9 years, The Barnyard Sanctuary has taken in over 3,000 rescued farm animals, of which 700 call us home. During this time, we have grown so much, expanding our mission and our vision to heights we never originally even dreamt of!  We have so many incredible plans in place and are wildly excited over the thought of starting to implement them. But first, we have a major obstacle to overcome.

While there are so many really great things going on here at the Sanctuary, an unexpected tragedy struck, which left us devastated, and we need your help.   In December 2017, we lost our second major donor (he passed away) in one year. These two donors accounted for more than 1/3 of our entire budget! Then, the new tax law went into effect 1/1/18, increasing the standard income deduction levels, cutting our donations even further (ALL nonprofits are being affected by this). With algorithm changes from Facebook, our ability to raise funds on line has decreased significantly due to very few people seeing our posts. A year later and a long story short, we are still running in the red right now and need immediate financial support from our followers.

It has always been our goal to have enough monthly donors contributing, so that our bare bones base budget of $30,000/month was automatically covered every month.  We are now 33% of the way there, but we need your help NOW!  

We simply cannot get the budget any lower than it is. We have no office or office staff expenses, I personally have never taken a salary in all 9 years. Our employees make only $10/hour, as they do this job for love of the animals. The money we raise ALL goes for the care of the animals.

We are grossly underfunded, for a sanctuary our size. Other large sanctuaries, some with far less animals, bring in $3,000,000-$10,000,000 a year in donations! We currently have a squeaky tight budget of $360,000 a year, which we are very short on raising. We need to increase this. 

We have been struggling with how to solve this monthly shortfall. The solution is simple- we need YOU to donate NOW and if possible, make it an ongoing monthly contribution. We have done so much for our community, and now we need our community to help us.  If YOU don't help us, who will?  

Please, make a one-time donation now, here on GoFundMe, or on our website . Then, sign up to be a monthly donor - even if it is only $5-$10 a month!  You can sign up to be a monthly donor on our website here  or on our new Patreon page (check it out!)  (Every $6 buys a hay bale. We spend $9,000-11,000 a month on hay alone!)

Until we are able to balance our budget with monthly donations, we are not able to take in any more animals. Every day for the past year, we have turned down 5-10 people A DAY with farm animals who need us. It causes us great anguish to think of the fate of many of these helpless animals. Please help us get back on track by donating, so that we can continue to save the lives of innocent farm animals.

YOU, personally, have a chance right now to make a difference. How often in one's lifetime are you given the opportunity to do something meaningful that really makes an impact?  This is YOUR opportunity- please seize it!

Most sincerely, 

Tamala Lester, Founder
The Barnyard Sanctuary
Columbia, NJ

PS- please share this on your Facebook page or email it to your family and friends. 

"Saving the life of one animal will not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal."

I have an emergency situation with a large group of 20+ non-neutered male and pregnant female semi-feral cats, their ever increasing number of baby kittens and a bad raccoon situation, currently located at my personal residence, that I need your help with! The cats must be moved immediately, or more will die.

My name is Tamala Lester, and I am the Founder of The Barnyard Sanctuary. Over the past 9 years since I opened the sanctuary, we have had MANY animals dumped at the sanctuary, at my personal residence and at a neighbor's farm across the street from where I live.  Normally, we would just absorb these poor animals into the sanctuary, as it's not their fault they were thrown out, but we cannot do that in this case, without your urgently needed financial help. 

For those of you who are followers of The Barnyard Sanctuary, you may recall that we lost a major donor 2 years ago, resulting in the loss of $100,000 a year in income. We still have not recovered from that loss and are scraping by on a very strict budget. Taking on the medical expenses for all the cats listed below, and their babies, is not in the budget at this time, which is why we are reaching out to YOU for help.

In the past 1.5 years, we have seen a HUGE influx in the number of dumped cats, especially at my home. Most are semi-feral, but several are tame and even declawed! While I have already personally spayed/neutered, tested and vaccinated over 20 of these cats myself, I simply cannot afford to do any more, as I work (more than) full-time at the sanctuary for no pay. Right now we have about 20+ cats that still need to be caught and fixed, tested and vaccinated, as well as 6 we have already taken in that need vetting.  

Over the winter, a pair of young raccoons started coming to the wildlife feeder to eat. We do not mind helping out the raccoons and opossums that visit us at night, especially during the winter. We have a separate feeding station set up elsewhere on the property for them, so we do not encourage them to come up by the cats. But, this pair insisted on coming right up to the back porch where I feed the cats (so that I can watch them and bring the food bowls in when they are done). One of these raccoons turned out to be very aggressive and would attack any cat that passed within 10' of him, even tiny kittens! On two occasions, I saw him do this and I ran out the door, screaming and yelling at him. While one raccoon would immediately run off, the other would stand his ground, stepping forward, snarling and growling at me. This behavior is not the norm for raccoons. It’s also interesting that this pair of raccoons was a much lighter cream color than all the other raccoons, who are brownish gray, making them quite distinctive.
 
In April and May, I had NINE litters of kittens born on our property from unspayed females dumped here, after I had already spayed all the prior ones dumped here. Since I totally expected to see a bunch of kittens turn up to start eating solid food, I could not figure out where all the babies went. I then started finding several dead and dismembered kittens laying around and didn't know what would just be killing them and leaving them (versus taking them or eating them). In late June, one of the moms was severely injured from a deep bite through her hind foot (she has since recovered). In early July, the male tom (daddy to all), showed up with severe bite injuries to his face, wounds of which he quickly died. Fortunately, I was then able to catch 9 of the 13 surviving kittens and get them to a local dog and cat rescue for placement, which literally saved their lives. While I did not SEE them get killed or attacked, it appeared to me to be the one more aggressive raccoon.

On July 23, a few days after relocating the 9 kittens, I heard screaming coming from my back porch at 330am. I jumped out of bed and ran out the back door, to find that same raccoon pinning down a 9 week old female kitten, biting her repeatedly. My screaming chased him off, and I ran inside for a towel to wrap the kitten in (in case the raccoon was rabid I did not want his saliva on me). On my way back inside with the injured kitten, I then heard screaming coming from the front porch! I quickly set the injured kitten down on the kitchen floor, and ran out the front door, bare foot and in my PJs. There I saw that same aggressive raccoon, curled like an armadillo around another kitten that had been sleeping in a cardboard box, biting him. I started yelling, and both he and the kitten ran off, leaving me very shaken. I have never seen a raccoon act like this before, and I have seen a lot of raccoons, especially after 2 years working for a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
 
The first baby girl (back porch), Sox, was so severely bitten, that one hind leg was snapped completely in half and was dangling (shown in picture above when I first took her to the vet 7/24/19). She remained 2 weeks at the vet, and had her hind leg amputated. She came home on 8/7/19 and is very slowly recovering. She is still not walking because her other hind leg was also so severely bitten and swollen, that it is too painful to stand on. Almost all her toes on all 4 feet were dislocated from her fighting off the much larger animal, who had pinned her down. (see update posted on 9/26 for Sox)

The second baby boy (front porch), Wonder, had disappeared. I searched all over and could not find him. Five days later, he appeared on his own! He was so skinny, limping, barely able to walk, and I rushed him to the vet on 7/29/19. His back was sprained and he had several dislocated toes, with multiple bite wounds on his feet. It turns out that he is also totally blind.  I brought him home and was putting him in a large black wire cage on my front porch during the day, so that his mother and sister could see him, bringing him in at night. On 8/4/19, the raccoon came just before I was to take him in, reached into the cage and dragged his legs out and started biting him all over again! Back to the vet for pain medicine and antibiotics. He is now being kept totally inside. (see update posted 9/28 for Wonder)

So far this past week, we have had another 2 litters of kittens born (5 babies total). This situation MUST be rectified immediately by capturing and spaying/neutering the cats. Not only is it urgent that these cats are spayed/neutered, but they need to be vaccinated for rabies and then relocated to the sanctuary, as soon as possible. They cannot stay here any longer, as it is no longer safe for them.  At this exact moment, we already have 3 more obviously pregnant moms, with more that will get pregnant soon if I do not get them fixed also. I cannot do it alone- I need your help! (update 9/30- we now have 5 litters with 15 kittens total)

So, to sum it up so far, we have:
-       20+ cats to catch, spay/neuter, vaccinate and take to the sanctuary for safety.
-       2 kittens (Sox and Wonder) with huge vet expenses, and who will need to be spay/neutered.
-       2 female kittens (Monster and Purr) from a litter last fall, who are blind and need to be spayed and vaccinated/tested.
-       Plus.... a woman had called me last fall to say that her Marine husband had died of cancer. She could no longer live on base and was moving to Oregon to live with her sister in a condo building that did not allow pets. She was due to drive out the next day and had the 2 super friendly cats in her car, both in one small carrier. I had to help her (we help military families), so I took the 2 cats, Skittles and Matilda. They are now 4 years old, unvaccinated and currently living in my garage. I need to get them vaccinated and tested, so they can move in with the other tame cats already at the sanctuary, until I can find them a home.
-       15+ kittens to find homes for (currently on antibiotics and eye drops)

I truly need your help asap. Here is a recap of the expenses (updated to 9/30/19):
1) $2,360 proposed cost to spay ($90)/neuter ($50) and vaccinate ($35) 20 cats (5 male, 15 female)
2) $3,368 Vet bill already incurred for Sox and Wonder
3) $328 proposed cost to spay, vaccinate and test Monster and Purr (DONE!)
4) $248 proposed cost to vaccinate, test and exam Skittles and Matilda
5) $140 proposed cost to spay/neuter Sox and Wonder when they are healthy and older
6) $616 Vet bill just incurred 9/26 for kitten Rudy
TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED FOR VET: $7,060
 
We need to modify our existing Cat House at the Sanctuary, plus build some outdoor cat condos. Materials will be about $800.

In addition, the rescue who took the first 9 kittens has had vet expenses of about $1,500 getting the babies healthy and vaccinated. We would like to help cover these expenses, if possible.

Right now, I have 2 Chewy deliveries every month for cat food (wet and dry) plus litter, which totals aprox  $420/month.  I am fighting to be able to pay for it. 

It would be the most incredible thing ever, if we could raise the money to pay the vet bills, plus the costs for the 8 kittens taken and to create a shelter for them ($9,360 total) AND have enough people to sign up to be monthly donors, that we could cover the $420 a month for food! 

I am very dedicated to helping these poor cats. THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN ME AND SUCCESS IS LACK OF FUNDING! I am willing to do the work, will you be willing to help make it financially possible? We must hurry before the females go into heat again and winter hits.

Thank you for reading my long request. Hopefully, you will be one of the guardian angels who help us.

Thank you!! 
Tamala

On July 31, 2018 at 11pm, 83 year old war veteran, Ernie Spitzer, and his teenage grandson, Tyler Johnson (who has lived with Ernie since birth), had their house burn completely down, due to an electrical problem. Thankfully, Ernie and Tyler managed to escape without harm to their bodies.  Not only did Ernie and Tyler lose every single thing that they own, but they also lost all physical remembrances of Tyler's grandmother, Pat Johnson- mother to Tyler since birth, as well. Pat died of cancer a few years ago, leaving Ernie to care for Tyler all alone. And what an incredible job Ernie has done, too!

There are not many people in the Blairstown/Frelinghuysen NJ area who do not know Tyler and Ernie. Extremely popular in sports, a graduate of NWRHS, with a smile on his face at all times and a heart of gold, Tyler and his story has touched the hearts of everyone who has ever met him. Ernie has devoted his life to caring for the special needs that Tyler has, and they have an incredible relationship.

I met Tyler, Pat and Ernie 8 years ago, on the first day that The Barnyard Sanctuary opened for taking in homeless farm animals. They had received a zoning violation for having chickens, ducks and geese (after 10 years!) due to a new neighbor that moved in from NYC, who did not like the noises. Friends, and even strangers who heard of Tyler, had given Tyler all these birds, as therapy birds, to help bring Tyler out of his silent shell.  And, it worked! Tyler's birds came to us, and Tyler/Pat/Ernie became regular visitors, continuing to take the birds to local fairs, etc. I feel privileged to have watched Tyler grow up into the incredible young man that he is today (I cried when I saw his prom pictures).

It is traumatic enough for ANYONE to lose their home, let alone Tyler and Ernie. Not only do they need money to replace the basic necessities, but also to rent an apartment or small house.  Ernie has lived in his home for 35 years. It is not in his fixed retirement income budget to pay rent. Try and imagine yourself in Ernie's shoes...living on a fixed retirement, managing the incredibly busy life of a teenage grandson, being 83 years old, and needing to start all over again.

"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." But for the grace of God, this could be you or I in this situation.  Please, be generous. They desperately need our help.  If WE, neighbors and friends, don't help them, who will? 

Thank you,
Tamala Lester
Personal friend of Ernie and Tyler, and
Founding Director of The Barnyard Sanctuary

PS- As you are technically making a donation to The Barnyard Sanctuary here, your deductions are tax exempt, as we are a 501c3 non-profit.  Once the money is deposited into our account, we will write a check to Ernie and give it to him with a printout of who donated it to him. He will receive 100% of the money GoFundMe sends us. Please note that GoFundMe has fees that they charge for their services. We, of course, do not. It is a labor of love and support for Ernie and Tyler.

PSS- If you prefer to mail a check, please send it to:
The Barnyard Sanctuary
PO Box 167
Blairstown, NJ 07825

We are unable to  manually enter your cash/check donation here, but will be sure to make a copy for Ernie and Tyler.