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Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary hasn't added a story.
WE HAVE A MATCHING GIFT! Thanks to a generous donor, ALL DONATIONS ARE DOUBLED up to $15k!!! Please consider giving a year-end (tax-deductible) gift of $5, $10, $50, $500 and help us ring in the new year!
Dear Friends,
With a sense of wonder, we reflect on this past year and remember all we have accomplished – caring for our animal residents and shaping and growing this magical place. Our top goal has always been to continue transcending with each passing year. Since our move to this beautiful 50-acre heritage farm in 2019, we can certainly say we’ve done that.
The start of 2022 saw us working with our state animal welfare officer on a rabbit neglect case where dozens of lives were saved and transported to various shelters across Maine. Cottontail took home the majority of them and welcomed even more as the pregnant mothers soon gave birth in quick succession. The initial rescue count trebled, and we continued to partner with various shelters to find placement for all the sweet babies. In the end, we decided to keep the mothers – the lucky 14 - who, in all likelihood, were mothers and daughters and sisters to each other and let them live out the rest of their lives as a family colony. Their sparse existence in a world of fear and dread was over. They would now only know security, love, and care at Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary.
Late winter and spring's impending arrival had us again dreading the mud season and wet ground. We had done our best to clear much of the overgrown forest that had spread over the farmland after years of past neglect. But it wasn’t long before we accepted that it couldn’t be done with just hand tools alone. This land needed to be opened so the sun could reach it and keep it dry, and the animals – especially the rescue horses and hooved animals - could run and play unhindered. That’s when we decided to contact forestry agents and see what they could do to help. As luck would have it, they were able to provide a solution, and we planned a date for them to come and bring their heavy equipment. It was a fantastic sight! In less than a week, they had selectively cleared nearly ten acres. To see the sun shining down on the rolling land was an incredible sight – even better when we let the horses out on it, and they immediately began to gallop. It would be another year before we could even attempt to grow grass – but soon, it would be the field of our dreams.
Spring and summer saw us busy with our visitor season. And what a surprise that would bring! We were astonished by the many folks wanting to walk the trails and meet the animals. It never really dawned on us just how popular this place had become. It was a proud moment – but also a rather daunting one. Towards the end of August, however, we knew we would never be able to handle such crowds. After much discussion, our board of directors decided to only be open to small groups by appointment. It was too bad to lose the much-needed revenue from ticket and merchandise sales. But perhaps, next year, we will come up with a better plan to address this situation. In the meantime, it was nice to know how kindly the outside world looked on our small animal kingdom.
By autumn, we realized we needed to turn our attention to the 200-year-old farmhouse. Renovations to the outer structure required immediate attention and could no longer be put off. The newly named: “Blue Castle” (painted a historic Hamilton blue) circa 1807 was not just a place where our farm managers laid their heads at night – but home to a myriad of rescue companion animals over the past few years. It also acts as office space and an occasional makeshift hospital for small animals needing a place to convalesce from surgeries or unexpected illnesses. Beyond all that, it provides a soft landing for many new arrivals. Work soon commenced, and by utilizing careful preservations of the past, it wasn’t long before the old house began to shine again.
Through all this hustle and bustle and rush to finish projects and interact with the public, the animals are always our first priority – not to mention our favorite job and what makes all this hard work and labor so very meaningful. They are the BEST moments of the day! Early mornings are spent ensuring everyone is fed, groomed, cleaned, loved, and let out to play. The care and nurture continue throughout the day until it is time for supper, and then our job is to make all the animals cozy, comfortable, and ready for a good night’s slumber. Straw beds are fluffed, and new hay is given. Everyone gets a cuddle and pat and is made to feel as cherished as they are.
Evenings are quite magical ones in the barn. Whether it is the way the last light of day filters in through the small old-fashioned window panes, the smell of good hay being given, or the soft, tender, peaceful look in the eyes of the sheep and goats and gentle movements of the 40-plus rabbits, it is an enchanting sight! How lucky we are to be part of their world! Outside, the horses happily munch hay and watch as the sun begins to sink below the horizon, sending rays of pink and amber colors across their manes, making them look even more majestic than before. A horse of many colors! Jimmy and Perry Miller, the young steers we rescued as babies who are now so big and handsome, calmly watch the end of another day with a complacency that translates that tomorrow will be more of the same: compassion, respect, love, and home.
There are not enough words to express our great thanks to you, our donors, and our long-time friends. Your generosity and belief in our work mean everything to us – but most importantly – to all the rescue animals here. Thank you with all of our hearts for being with us through our year-long journey – the ups and downs – and for never losing faith in our work or mission. We couldn’t do this without the support of great animal lovers like yourself, and we are fortunate to have you by our side. Thank you for being true Cottontail Cottagers! We wish you a glorious Christmas and a happy New year!
Please consider giving an end-of-year donation and help keep us hopping! AND. . . Thanks to a generous donor, ALL DONATIONS ARE DOUBLED UP TO $15K!! This is an incredible opportunity! May the knowledge that your contribution gives animals a second chance fill your own world with bright joy and cheer. Thank you for your compassion and incredible support! You are the unseen angels to every animal in our care. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
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