Welcome to Maple Farm Sanctuary's
Newsletter
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Special thanks to
our friends at the
Boston Vegetarian Society for donating profits from
the sale of Tofurkeys to MFS
Boston Vegetarian
Society Invites you to Dinner & A Movie!
ALL WELCOME
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009
4 PM SEMINAR (Free)
Meat the Truth
The massive impact of livestock farming on climate
change. Introduction and Q & A led by Wim de
Kok. No
RSVP needed. Just turnip!
5:15 PM - SOCIAL DINNER (optional) - let us
get to know you! Stay and enjoy Grasshopper's
delicious unlimited vegan buffet for only $9.50+ tax
+ tip
Includes appetizers, soups, salad, numerous entrees,
and fresh melons.
LOCATION for seminar and dinner:
Grasshopper (an all-vegan restaurant)
1 North Beacon St.
Union Square, Allston (Boston)
617-254-8883 |
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We had a very tough winter this year with all of the ice
and snow! We went through more shavings than usual
to keep the animals stalls warm and cozy. Shavings are
sold in bags that we buy by the trailer load.
A $50.00 donation would help us continue to pay for
shavings that
keep the animals clean and cozy!
Please mail checks to:
Maple Farm Sanctuary
101 North Av, Mendon, MA 01756
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Manicures and Pedicures!
We recently had a day of
nail and hoof trimming for the rabbits and goats.
The rabbits had their nails
trimmed recently by Kelly and Mary of
StressLess
In-Home Rabbit Grooming Service and
The Rabbit
Advocate. Thank you for donating your services and
taking such good care of our bunnies!
Thank you to Michelle and
Erin, students at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
at Tufts University in North Grafton, MA for their
assistance in trimming the hooves of the Nigerian dwarf
goats. |
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Thanks to New England
School of Law, Animal Law Society for helping with
a big Spring Cleanup during their Volunteer
Service Day! |
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We would like to thank all
of our dedicated
volunteers who help out weekly,
even in the cold and rain, to clean stalls, chop fruit,
make repairs and work on special projects!
Katie Says
Thanks to Everyone! |
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Ivan having a drink in the stream!
Jonathan sunning himself in the mud!
Billy enjoying the sun also! |
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Spring Has Arrived At MFS!
Fundraising
YARD SALE
All proceeds go
directly to benefit the
animals at Maple Farm Sanctuary
Saturday, May 2, 2009
11:00 am -3:00 pm
101 North Ave, Mendon, MA
(Rain date: The following
Saturday, May 9th)
Click Here for the Flyer
If
you would like to donate items for our yard sale please
contact us
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WELCOME BACK HOME JITTERBILL!
Written By Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis
(co-founder of Maple Farm Sanctuary)
 A
few weeks back we received a call from a couple who had
purchased baby goats from us years ago when we were still
milking goats. They provided a wonderful, loving home for a
few baby goats that would normally go for meat. One of their
goats had passed away on New Years Day at 20 years old. They
had only one goat left and he was terribly lonely and this
wonderful couple could no longer care for this goat.
Jim and I agreed to take what we last saw as a baby goat
back into our lives. Snow storms, frigid weather, other
animal emergencies and ice had delayed this goat’s arrival
until February 1st. Jim picked him up with the van and the
owner stayed in the back of the van with the goat during the
trip. When they arrived at MFS and the van doors opened, I
saw an elderly goat but I immediately recognized the
features that told me who his mother was, our beloved
JitterBug.
Our new arrival’s name is Bill, which
is short for JitterBill. He was very frightened about
leaving the home he known for over 18 years and then being
in a bouncing truck during transport to MFS. The sweet
couple who cared for Bill all those years was truly sad to
be losing their last pet, but they knew he was safe and
would have love and companionship again. I could see the
tears welling up as they left. If only everyone had such
love and compassion for all sentient beings.
Bill appeared a bit dehydrated when he
arrived so we gave him warm water and some fruit. With
little fanfare Billy and Lucky (two other goats in the main
barn) accepted him without the ritual of headbutting,
initially. At present they are separated because they
eventually started relentlessly headbutting him. Bill now
shares a stall with Happy, another new arrival, and they are
becoming fast buddies!
Bill has returned home to live out the
remainder of his life at MFS. His return has certainly
brought back so many memories of our past life of what is
considered “humane farming”. We are so thankful our life
journey has allowed us to be reunited with a sentient being
that was a part of our journey.
Donations would be appreciated to help
buy medications, supplements and food to keep Bill healthy
in his elder years.
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MAPLE FARM SANCTUARY SAYS GOODBYE TO A DEAR
FRIEND, WILLIE THE GOAT. YOUR MESSAGE WILL LIVE ON!
Written By Alyson VanEmburgh,
Volunteer at Maple Farm Sanctuary
 Maple Farm
Sanctuary is a place of warmth, love, growth and rehabilitation.
With all of the success stories produced from this
haven, there are always a few stories that teach us all a lesson
about compassion and love.
Willie, the
goat, arrived at the farm in mid February. Before coming to
Maple Farm Sanctuary Willie had been off his feet for a month in
a dark, dirty stall and was in need of some serious help. He had
a prior serious hoof infection that had been spreading quickly
to the rest of his body. His hoof infection had healed but he
had urine burns on his back leg and belly. Willie had been down
so long that his nerves were damaged and his tendons contracted.
It was the hope that given a clean stall, proper food, physical
therapy and lots of love that Willie would persevere. Founders
Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis and Jim Vandersluis quickly went to work
caring for the sick goat and working on getting him back up on
his feet. It soon became clear that Willie responded very well
to contact with others and he made fast friends. Willie’s new
home became a warm, comfortable barn and he shared the space
with two goat roommates. The interaction between the three goats
provided Jim and Cheri, as well as many volunteers, hope that
the ailing goat was making improvements.
One of the most powerful lessons learned
through Willie’s stay at the farm was that of spirit. His
feistiness and perseverance showed through when Jim and Cheri
would bring him treats but it was his ability to connect with
many of the volunteers that truly left a permanent mark. When
stepping into his barn, a sense of warmth came through the door.
He responded best to human compassion and love. Willie
connected instantly to volunteers, visitors and the sanctuary
founders, Jim and Cheri. The irony is that one of the key
factors that allowed us to see this loving animal come alive in
his last days, also put him is this predicament.
As the days passed Willie’s soul was strong
but his health was not improving. Jim and Cheri exhausted all
possible remedies and made the very tough decision to euthanize
Willie. This decision was a result of respecting the quality of
life for the amazing creature and knowing that he would soon not
be suffering anymore.
The magnitude of saying goodbye to a dear
friend that touched many lives is palpable. The frustration of
knowing that this could be prevented is even more obvious. But
what is most important is to move forward with the knowledge of
the past. Willie’s strength, courage, and love is a testament to
how special these creatures truly are, and how we have a duty to
respect and love them unconditionally, as they do to us.
Willie, you have touched many lives with your peaceful eyes and
your amazing heart, and your message will live on.
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AN INJURED KITTY IN MENDON
Written By Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis
(co-founder of Maple Farm Sanctuary)
It was after one of the
many storms we’ve had and the roads were icy. I was about to
begin my nightly ritual of chopping fruit for the animals when
the Mendon Police called to ask if I could help with an injured
cat on the other side of town. Grabbing towels, blankets and
gloves, off I went.
My first observation made
me believe a coyote had attacked this poor cat. When I got her
back to MFS her breathing was labored, her palate (roof of her
mouth) was fractured, her right eye was swollen shut and the
most frightening part was that I could feel trapped air around
her ribcage. As I gently examined and talked to her she glazed
up at me and rolled over for what seemed like a belly rub. I
then noticed that her nipples were slightly enlarged and my
heart sank even further.
The next morning I brought
the kitty to the local vet, Dr. Sawyer. I had hoped he could put
chest tubes in and fix all of the problems but after his
examination my options were few. Either I could bring her to
Tufts, which would yield an extremely high bill and a low chance
of survival, or I could humanely euthanize her. Sadly, I chose
the later. First she was sedated and then she was given her last
shot. Dr. Sawyer validated my suspicions… she was pregnant.
Please pass this
information onto others. Having a pet comes with many
responsibilities but also yields so much love and companionship.
Please take good care of your pets! Spay, neuter, keep cats
indoors and keeps dogs leashed or in securely fenced-in yards.
The
MSPCA has a Spay/Neuter Assistance Program which offers
reduced cost spay and neuter programs to low income pet owners.
More information can be found here on their
website.
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THE COYOTE DANCE
Written By Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis
(co-founder of Maple Farm Sanctuary)
The
snow in our hay fields had remained relatively pristine
until the end of January. But, on the evening of
January 21st around 1:00 AM, when Jim and I were about
to come into the house after chores, a welcome chorus
had begun in a field close to the house. It’s mating
season for the coyotes! I was near the house and the
“singing” had just begun. Despite the cold these coyotes
sounded joyful. I couldn’t resist and quietly walked to
a corner of one of our buildings and squinted, trying to
see the singers. Against the white snow I could see two
coyotes running, jumping and taking joy for the moment.
They were starting to run away while jumping and yipping
but suddenly stopped and looked in my direction. I held
my breath as I wanted to see more of their behavior but
my cover was blown. They became quiet and gracefully
headed for the woods. Now our field is beautifully
covered with the prints of a couple’s dance. We’re
hoping that given the quiet and availability of living
space the coyotes will den up and have the pups at MFS.
We think one of the coyotes was “Brightface” and would
love to see his pups in late spring!
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We rely entirely on
your generosity to continue providing a safe haven for the animals living at
Maple Farm Sanctuary and for the new animals who are in urgent need of our
help. By making a donation you will help us to provide veterinary care,
improve housing, feed and maintain a happy life for the rescued animals
living at Maple Farm Sanctuary.
Please help us by making a donation!
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Maple Farm Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary
providing lifelong homes for abused, abandoned and unwanted farmed
animals while promoting veganism and respect for all life through
public information. Maple Farm Sanctuary has taken in a
fraction of the billions of farmed animals that are bought, sold,
tormented and slaughtered by the meat, dairy and fur industries.
Maple Farm
Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with tax-exempt
status.
Donations are always appreciated!
Maple Farm Sanctuary ~ 101 North Avenue, Mendon, MA
01756
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