Help us support Blackberry Creek Sanctuary

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 75 rescued animals including donkeys, llamas, pigs, chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, cats, dogs, sheep, goats, cows, geese, and ducks.

Humane Education:
The sanctuary promotes compassion and respect for all living beings and a sense of empathy and connection between humans and animals. Through our LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet program) we teach leadership, volunteerism, community teamwork, the humane treatment of animals, and personal and collective responsibility to our planet.

Climate Stewardship and Eco Responsibility:
We promote climate stewardship and ecological responsibility through education about a plant-based diet, regenerative veganic agriculture, and rewilding both public and private spaces.

Needs:
• Emergency Rescue and Medical Care Funding:
Caring for many dozens of animals rescued from the slaughter and breeding pipelines means many have chronic medical conditions or physical challenges and disabilities. Our medical fund is critical so that animals can get the veterinary care, medication, surgeries, hospitalization, and end-of-life care they need and deserve.

• General Operating Expenses (Animal Rescue & Care):
Donors who give toward operating costs and animal care 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 difficult and expensive 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:
- Animal feed and hay
- Medications and supplements
- Absorbent shavings and soft straw bedding
- Appropriate shelters, fencing, and infrastructure
- Routine veterinary care
- Transportation costs
- 24/7 animal care staffing

Whether $15 or $150, your support makes it possible to run the sanctuary on a day-to-day basis. To maximize your impact, you can also choose to become a monthly supporter on our website or give a one-time gift to sponsor a particular animal's regular medical care.
Larger unrestricted funding gifts help us meet a variety of needs that come up throughout the year.
Past unrestricted funding has been critical to:
- Rent tractors and excavators- Hire part-time animal care staff
- Purchase wildfire insurance
- Secure fire safety/ evacuation equipment
- Fund emergency rescues
- Pay for medical emergencies and unexpected surgeries

LEAP - Humane Education Program:
Our high school student program, LEAP (Leaders in Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) will soon be launching nationwide!
LEAPers participate in humane education curriculum and volunteer each month at their local participating sanctuary with hands-on farmed animal care. They also learn about climate solutions, and the humane treatment of companion and farmed animals, and develop leadership skills, public speaking proficiency, and responsibility for themselves and others. By donating to the LEAP program, you are assuring more students and animals can have a compassionate alternative to traditional ag programs long into the future.