People, Animals & the Earth: Better Together. That’s the Sanctuary One vision. As a care farm with three branches of our focus, Sanctuary One has a unique model compared to most other animal sanctuaries; we do not take in animals directly from the public, but rather act as a pressure release valve for overburdened rescues, sanctuaries, shelters, and law enforcement agencies. We receive calls from the public though on a regular basis about taking in animals, and we direct them to regional resources that may be able to assist. It is very hard for us to say no sometimes, but it allows us to say yes to special cases no one else can help with.
Law enforcement agencies in Southern Oregon have few resources when it comes to livestock cases. Counties are generally set up to handle companion animals (dogs, cats, even rabbits), but rarely have the capacity to handle sheep, goats, cows, or other livestock. We aren’t funded at the level to help all cases that come up (wishlist: 4 horse trailer, another staff person, a horse barn, more fencing to create more pastures, etc). However, Sanctuary One staff and volunteers love it when the stars align and we are able to help.
Two recent examples came to us through the Medford Police Department and Jackson County Animal Care and Control. Apple, a St. Croix lamb (a hair sheep breed that does not produce traditional wool) was found as a stray that had taken up sleeping on a suburban porch in East Medford. She was lost, alone, scared, and confused, but chose the porch she was sleeping on wisely as it belonged to two compassionate citizens who contacted the Medford Police Department for assistance. MPD contacted us to help and we agreed to take her. The couple were able to catch her and she made her way to Sanctuary One.
Next came Plum only a week later, a Barbados cross lamb (also a hair sheep breed! Talk about the stars aligning…) that found herself without a home and family through very unfortunate circumstances. The family that saved her from certain death at 3 days old and bottle fed her in their house suddenly found themselves homeless and could no longer care for her. They turned to Jackson County Animal Care and Control for assistance, but they do not have the facilities to care for sheep, so JCAC contacted us to help and we agreed to take her as well. Plum and Apple of course became instant best friends.
We are proud to help law enforcement with animal cases. We are especially proud when we can then find these rescues their own forever homes, where 24/7 love and care replace their search for food and shelter. We profoundly appreciate all our donors who invest in our animal work and make these rescues possible. Plum and Apple will be available for adoption soon, together.
