Fire Recovery
Donation protected
On December 15, 2020 a fire caused by a heat lamp ripped through our barns and burned one building completely to the ground severely damaging the other. Thankfully our home withstood no damage and all animals have been accounted for (short of a few free range rabbits that we hope escaped the flames). What was lost was 6 years of blood, sweat and tears in the form of all of our equipment. From our large exotic enclosures to all of our our pony saddles/equipment and petting zoo panels. An estimated $40,000 in equipment went up in flames. Thankfully a neighbor driving by saw the fire and managed to call the Local fire department. Had it gone on much longer it would have reached our other barns, propane tank and our home.
Our animals, while stressed out and scared, again did Thankfully make it out alive. Though seeing Abe our yard pig so confused as to why his warm straw bed was now a smoldering pile of ash is an image that will stay with me and haunt me. Everyone is now placed in temporary housing while we figure out the next best steps to recover and rebuild. And rebuild we will. It may take another 6 years but we will come back stronger than ever.
Since this morning, I have had hundreds of people reach out with kind words offering everything from support to clean up, animal care and donations. At the request of several people, we will be setting up a go fund me to help rebuild and recover. Several people have asked for our venmo, PayPal and cash app. Please don't feel obligated to donate as we fully understand how hard 2020 and the pandemic has been on everyone. The kindness and people reaching out in our darkest hour has been overwhelming and that alone is helping us push forward.
A Phoenix will always rise from the Ashes. And so will we. Thank you for you overwhelming support
Our animals, while stressed out and scared, again did Thankfully make it out alive. Though seeing Abe our yard pig so confused as to why his warm straw bed was now a smoldering pile of ash is an image that will stay with me and haunt me. Everyone is now placed in temporary housing while we figure out the next best steps to recover and rebuild. And rebuild we will. It may take another 6 years but we will come back stronger than ever.
Since this morning, I have had hundreds of people reach out with kind words offering everything from support to clean up, animal care and donations. At the request of several people, we will be setting up a go fund me to help rebuild and recover. Several people have asked for our venmo, PayPal and cash app. Please don't feel obligated to donate as we fully understand how hard 2020 and the pandemic has been on everyone. The kindness and people reaching out in our darkest hour has been overwhelming and that alone is helping us push forward.
A Phoenix will always rise from the Ashes. And so will we. Thank you for you overwhelming support
Organizer
Brendan Finerty
Organizer
Jackson, MI