Make a Difference in the Lives of Animals Who Need You
Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary is a magical place set in Colfax in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. A true sanctuary for both humans and animals, it was founded in 2014 by two teachers to promote compassion, sustainability, and service to others. There are many reasons to support Blackberry Creek... check out some of our favorites!
Rescue and Permanent Sanctuary -
Blackberry Creek not only rescues animals from neglect, abuse, and slaughter, but offers them permanent sanctuary. This sets us apart from traditional animal shelters and guarantees that animals will have their physical, mental, and emotional needs met for the duration of their natural lives. The sanctuary is currently the home of over 60 rescued animals including donkeys, llamas, pigs, chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, cats, dogs, sheep, goats, cows, geese, and ducks.
Humane Education -
As a founding sanctuary of the LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet program) we believe in the importance of humane education for the next generation. Through guided tours, visitor days, enrichment workshops, wellness courses, and volunteerism, we promote the humane treatment of animals, plant-based eating, and the value of community collaboration, hard work, service, and empathy.
We are also actively working on promoting equitable veterinary medicine for companion farmed animals and the end of "terminal" surgery programs at university veterinary schools. Terminal programs use healthy animals to serve as "practice" surgical patients for veterinary students and then euthanize them. We believe in advocating for a new model where rescued animals in need of veterinary care receive medically necessary surgeries performed by vet students and staff clinicians and then have the opportunity to live out their natural lives in the safety of sanctuary.
Climate Stewardship and Eco Responsibility -
We promote climate stewardship and ecological responsibility through education about a plant-based diet, advocacy, and rewilding the land.
Mission
The mission of Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary is to provide a refuge for animals to live out their lives enjoying kindness, compassion, and permanent sanctuary, and to provide opportunities for education to the general public about animal welfare, plant-based lifestyles, and global climate solutions.
Needs
Critical Veterinary Care:
We care for many dozens of animals, many with special needs, who were rescued from neglect, abandonment or the slaughter pipeline. Our medical fund is critical so that animals can get the lifelong veterinary care, medication, surgeries, hospitalization, and respectful end-of-life care they need and deserve.
Humane Education Materials: See above for our humane education focuses and help fund our educational tours and programs.
General Operating Expenses:
Donors who give toward our nonprofit's operating costs are the most critical part of our non-profit's success. It's easy to rescue an animal from a dire situation, but much more challenging to provide care for the entire duration of that animal's natural life, (especially for our special needs residents). General funding includes critical things such as:
- Feed and hay
- Medications and supplements
- Mental and physical enrichment
- Absorbent shavings and soft straw bedding
- Appropriate shelters, fencing and infrastructure
- Routine veterinary care
- Transportation costs
- 24/7 animal caretakers
- Maintain wildfire insurance & fire safety equipment
To maximize your impact, you can also choose to become a Blackberry Creek member or monthly supporter on our website or give a one-time gift to sponsor a particular animal's regular medical care.
In-kind Donations:
1.) We are VERY much in need of a tractor and/or skid-steer to keep the property safe and maintained.
2.) A "rescue glide" large animal evacuation equipment.
We need two or three volunteers familiar with using a chainsaw to come clear brush, remove blackberries, and cut up downed trees each spring and fall. Electricians are also needed to donate services occasionally as are people who'd like to help maintain the property and animal habitats on volunteer days running spring through fall.
Equity Statement
At Blackberry Creek we believe in equality for all and oppose discrimination in any form, and that includes speciesism. We believe each individual is unique and worthy of love, kindness, and respect. We welcome people from every race, ethnicity, gender orientation, sexuality, religion, and background and believe that collectively, our shared experiences can create empathy and compassionate action on a large scale. We support fair wages for our employees, gratitude for our volunteers, and optimum respect and care for our animal residents.