A Fire Burned Alex's Horse Barn and Trailer

Hi, I’m Nicole! A barn fire has brought tragedy for two of the kindest people that I know, Alex and Justin Blackwood. Let me tell you what makes them so special, and why they truly deserve a helping hand right now.

Alex and Justin's passion is to rescue abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. I can't tell you how many animals that they have jumped in to help from tiny orphan squirrel babies to skinny cattle. There have been cats and dogs in need that they have nursed back to good health and found great homes for.

They take in horses that need help and tender care, like a blind mare, a frightened pony, wild mustangs and many more. Each of these animals they have quietly helped and given a second chance at life, never asking for support.

Alex was recently disabled on the job from a severe joint infection as a result of a cat bite at her place of employment. She was sadly forced to quit her work as a veterinary technician, which she loved as it furthered her goals of helping all the animals she can.

To keep their animal rescue passion funded, the Blackwoods have been using their livestock trailer to share their animals as part of a mobile petting zoo to bring happiness and animal welfare awareness to people of all ages. They have brought countless smiles to others by sharing the joy of interacting with these animals. For many young people, they meet their first barnyard animal through these events. For the seniors, it can bring back fond memories of their younger years to pet a pony or cuddle a small farm animal.

On October 17th, 2023, a nightmare began. A fire had caught hold in the modest barn the Blackwoods use to house and store feed for their animals, as well as the workshop Justin uses to maintain all the things vital to their animals’ care.

Alerted to it by one of their young, frightened children, Alex and Justin braved the inferno and quickly got most of their animals to safety. They are fervently praying that the remaining barn cats have evacuated on their own, as sadly they are nowhere to be found.

Alex, Justin, and their children watched in horror as their barn, their livestock trailer, all their tools, their water pump and well, along with every halter, saddle and bit of tack that they had to work with their animals went up in flames. Even the items in the workshop Justin relies upon for his job to bring in much needed income for the family and their critters was gone in minutes, leaving behind only dust and tears.

The only positive the family has from all that was lost is as far as they can account for, all animals and people are safe, and they truly feel blessed for what remains. But now they are faced with moving forward with the immediate and long term needs of the animals who depend on them.

With no water, food, shelter and now, no employment, I am beseeching the vast number of you out there who know how very difficult life will be for the Blackwood family as they try to pick up their lives again and struggle to provide for the animals who need them. They need a boost of hope, and a bright light from us to reach out and lift them up. They need to start over with the means for rebuilding their barn so their animals have safety and a place to store their feed. They need help replacing their well and water pump so they may provide water to both their family and their animals. They need a livestock trailer, animal feed and hay, the tack and equipment that goes along with the day-to-day routine care and conditioning of their animals so they can resume traveling with the animals and bringing joy to the community.

Just as they have given so many animals a new lease on life, please help me provide the means for the Blackwoods to have their own moment for the community to rescue them and continue their mission. Be it monetary, goods, services, or even labor, please help if you can. No act of kindness is too small!

Thank you.