Langley sanctuary seeks ‘unused pumpkins’ to feed animals

As Halloween events kick into full gear this weekend, an animal sanctuary in Langley is looking for unused pumpkins.

The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary is a not for profit organization that rescues abused or at risk animals.

Pigs, chickens, goats, and cows, are just a few of the creatures the sanctuary houses, and Diane Marsh, co-founder of the farm, says that all of the animals eat the orange treats.

Counting down to Halloween! #cute pic.twitter.com/KbPeFYEIco

— The Happy Herd (@TheHappyHerd) October 25, 2022

“All the animals, including the chickens, eat pumpkins. We are looking for non-carved, non marked up pumpkins that are in good conditions,” she explained.

But unfortunately, carved Halloween pumpkins with the seeds removed aren’t very beneficial for the animals.

“They rot very quickly,” Marsh says. ” A lot of the nutrition is taken out because it’s in the inside, and sometimes people put candles in them, and there is wax inside of them.”

Marsh explains some of the animals come with injuries, and the sanctuary works at giving them a second-chance.

Like in the case of Gibbles the goat, who recently lost it’s leg from medical complications, it was given the ability to walk through a custom-made wheelchair.

Gibbles the goat, who recently lost it’s leg from medical complications, it was given the ability to walk through a custom-made wheelchair. (Angela Bower/CityNews)

“He walks around all over the place,” Marsh said. “He sleeps in his wheelchair, we try and keep him in it as many days as we can.”

Many of the animals have unique stories of how they were rescued, with one falling off of a truck on it’s way to the slaughterhouse, and others saved from abusive situations.

Emily Wilkes says she became a vegetarian when she was 10 years old. But after volunteering at the sanctuary, she says working with the animals helped her make the choice of becoming vegan.

“It’s especially sad, because these types of chickens are the ones that are probably treated the worst. They are the most abused land animals,” she explained.

The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary is a not for profit organization that rescues abused or at risk animals. (Angela Bower/CityNews)

She says in volunteering she has a newfound love of chickens, saying they show high emotional intelligence.

“They were so friendly. I described them as like little puppy dogs,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t realize that chickens purr, but if you pet them and they get really relaxed…they’ll just kind of coo or purr like a cat.”

Marsh says the donated pumpkins last about three months, and will help get the sanctuary through the winter months.

“Each animal has a personality, and I think they’re just happy being here,” Marsh said.

“They love you, they love attention…There’s really no difference between them and us. We just speak a different language, and it’s learning to understand the language they’re talking,” Marsh said.