Monthly Moosletter: March

Dear Friends of Iowa Farm Sanctuary,

As March draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the happenings of the past month and extend our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support. Here's a roundup of the latest from our sanctuary.

We're thrilled to share that Suzy, one of our beloved residents, has returned home from the hospital. Our vet had noticed that her heart shape looked abnormal on x-rays and suggested that we bring her to get it looked at. She got an MRI, a spinal tap, blood work, and x-rays, to bring us the wonderful news that she is a healthy girl! After receiving the necessary care and attention, Suzy is now back at the sanctuary, enjoying the company of her fellow residents and exploring the green pastures once again.

In more heartwarming news, Sam has also returned home from the hospital after a leg surgery. With your continued support, Sam received the care he needed to heal and thrive. We're grateful for the opportunity to witness his resilience and spirit firsthand.

March was a month of celebrations at Iowa Farm Sanctuary! We celebrated Pablo the Sheep's birthday on March 11th and Darla the Cow's birthday on March 30th. Birthdays are a great reminder of the changes we have been able to make for these individuals and we are so excited to celebrate their lives and freedom.

This month, we also launched a campaign to power up our sanctuary with sustainable energy sources. A generous supporter pledged to match every dollar we raised to support our mission. By the end of the month, we raised $14,439, which was matched to $28,878! We would like to thank everyone who pitched in to make this possible. Your support has been instrumental in helping us transition to green energy solutions, reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring a brighter future for all our animal friends.

BUT IT'S NOT OVER YET!

Two weeks ago, we launched a Polar Plunge Challenge, in which Shawn and Katie promised to take a plunge in the duck pond if we meet our goal of $50,000. We have decided to extend our campaign for another 48 hours, in hopes of reaching the goal and taking that plunge! Donations are still being accepted on Facebook, Instagram, Paypal, Venmo, and by mail! 

Speaking of donations, we are excited to announce the rebrand of our Patreon community to the “Moo Crew”! This isn’t just a name change, but a whole new level of connection and support for our residents here at Iowa Farm Sanctuary. Whether you are passionate about animal rights or simply love being a part of a caring community, there is a place for you in the Moo Crew and a tier that fits your budget and your heart. Please visit us on Patreon to learn more. 

 And let's not forget our newest resident, Ravioli! Ravioli is a tiny little lamb who was surrendered into our care from a small farm with a condition that we have never seen at IFS before--he has dwarfism! Ravioli also has contracted tendons in his front legs and a folded ear that earned him his name. Due to his conditions, he will likely remain small as he ages. Thankfully, overall, he is a healthy boy, so he should have a full life ahead of him! Rav is cautious but curious, sweet, and very observant of his new world. We're thrilled to welcome him into our family and look forward to watching him thrive in his new home. We look forward to watching him settle in and become an integral part of our community.

We have also been working with a new friend named Moose. Earlier this month, we received a heartbreaking plea for help, as a newborn baby goat with a cleft palate was abandoned at a live animal auction when he was just a few days old. We took Moose to Purdue University, in hopes that the incredible Dr. Hawkins could repair his cleft palate to give him a chance at life. However, as it turns out, Moose had very little tissue on the roof of his mouth, making a traditional cleft palate surgery a difficult task. Dr. Hawkins was willing to get a little creative and told us that he could attempt a one-of-a-kind surgery to install a prosthetic palate. However, we found that Moose was also battling aspiration pneumonia, so before the surgery, he had to receive plasma transfusions and a nasogastric tube to ensure his health and nutrition. He responded very well to these treatments, and we are excited to say that he will likely be heading into surgery this week! We are so thankful for the amazing team at Purdue and the outpouring of love from all our supporters. While Moose still has quite a journey ahead of him, so many people have sent donations, prayers, and support to this sweet boy to give him the best chance at life. We look forward to cheering him on and will update you on our socials as he grows and heals.

However, amid these moments of joy, we also must share some sad news. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ellie, a cherished member of our sanctuary family. Just two days short of her sixth rescue anniversary, we helped Ellie leave this world and the suffering she was enduring from a bad leg. Ellie touched the lives of everyone she met with her gentle spirit and unwavering kindness. While her physical presence may be gone, her memory will live on in our hearts forever. 

Looking ahead, to the coming months, our Spring Pig-Nic and silent auction is just around the corner, and we're overwhelmed by the outpouring of donations from supporters like you. Your generosity will help us raise vital funds to support our mission and ensure the well-being of all our residents. If you haven't yet had a chance to contribute, there's still time to make a difference! We only ask that all donations are vegan and cruelty free. Otherwise, the sky is the limit! All donations are tax-deductible, and all donors will receive credit for their donations on social media. We need all donations in hand by April 15th. They can be shipped to 1696 250th St NW, Oxford, IA 52322, or we can do local pickup!

Thank you to all of our wonderful supporters who enable us to continue to do this work month after month. We're filled with gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our cause. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of farm animals and promoting compassion for all beings. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Stay tuned for our next Monthly Moosletter!

With warm regards,

Iowa Farm Sanctuary