Duncan sanctuary raising money to house dozens of farm animals

Dozens of farm animals on Vancouver Island are urgently in need of a new home, and a fundraiser is looking to raise enough money to get them one.

Home for Hooves, which operates out of Duncan, is one of two farm animal sanctuaries on the Island and the first Accredited Farm Sanctuary in Canada.

Earlier this year, the other group, R.A.S.T.A., announced it would be closing for good. That meant its animals needed somewhere to go, and Home for Hooves was at the ready.

“We’re doing multiple different fundraising activities at the moment. We need to purchase 50-plus acres of land, so we need to raise between $2-3 million in order for the sanctuary to be autonomous from me,” explained Home for Hooves President Michelle Singleton.

“A Forever Home for Hooves” would go toward helping Singleton secure an appropriate piece of land, and help with costs associated with building the necessary facilities.

The money and new facility will mean the sanctuary will be able to operate without Singleton, if that situation arises.

“What we’re looking to do is this land will be owned by the charity, it will be run like a business and a proper rescue organization, that way it can carry on without me, it’s able to look after itself, and carry on for years to come.”

As part of its money-raising efforts, the group is holding a raffle with the help of the community. Twenty-five businesses across the province are coming together to help give back.

‘An urgent situation’

Twenty of the larger additional animals Home for Hooves is taking on are currently being fostered. However, Singleton says that’s likely only going to be possible until the spring, putting urgency on the need for a bigger space.

“We’re in an urgent situation that we do need to move very soon,” she explained. “That’s 20 large animals that we cannot bring back onto this property. We really need to move and we need an army of people to help us fundraise the amount of money that we need in order to purchase this property.”

The new property is located in southern Vancouver Island.

When Home for Hooves moves, the new property is expected to house about 170 animals — with the possibility of taking on more.

Helping animals in need

Singleton says her organizations and others like it serve an important purpose.

They take in farm animals that are surrendered, including those with diverse needs. She says it may surprise some people to learn just how intelligent these animals can be.

“A lot of people don’t give them enough credit. Chickens, for example, can recognize a hundred different faces, they have their own language, they’re able to manipulate people if they want to in order to get food and different things that they want,” Singleton told CityNews. “Pigs, for example, they have the cognitive ability of a three-year-old child. They’re actually one of the smartest animals in the world. They’re smarter than dogs — a lot of people don’t realize that.”

She says there are limited places for these animals to go when situations force them from their current homes, and that’s where Home for Hooves comes in.

The organization not only provides a home, but also feeds, treats, and cares for the animals.