I have always been this way, it's nothing new. When I was a child, I begged to take in every stray and most of the time succeeded in talking my parents into it. I do believe I inherited my innate love for animals from my mother. Growing up, we always had an array of animals...dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, ducks and my many different rodents. My mom was known for rescuing and fostering squirrels, birds and even a raccoon (which unfortunately I was too young to remember). She also gave me my first hands on experience with a person being a voice for animals. We were at the beach one day where we spent most weekends during the summer, and a guy threw a shell at a seagull and the bird fell to the sand, stunned. Yes, seagulls can be annoying but that doesn't mean they deserve to have rocks thrown at them. The wrath of my mother came down upon that man, and I'm pretty sure he would never throw another rock at any living creature after that. My mom stood up for that bird, she was his voice. If she hadn't no one else would have. We have to be a voice for the voiceless.
When I was growing up, I was pretty obsessed with horses during my childhood but I've always loved every kind of animal...never have I been the kind to love a dog but hate a rat. And actually as a child, mice were one of my favorite pets! You know...those tiny little adorable creatures that most people are petrified of or think are gross....well I've always thought they were precious. And honestly...they were some of the best little pets I had. I remember when I was probably about eight, my pet mouse "Cuddles" died suddenly and I was devastated! And when I realized it was because his auto-waterer had quit working, I was infuriated! I wanted to sue the pet store, I wanted someone to pay! When you're an animal lover like I am...it's literally heart breaking to lose a pet...especially when it was preventable. But it was a learning experience for me. I learned a lesson that I've kept with me all these years...you can never rely on automated objects to care for your animals...yes I still have auto-waterers for almost all my fur and feather friends but I also know to check them daily. I also know that accidents happen and I just have to do the best that I can to ensure the creatures under my care are well taken care of and loved. When you have an animal that has been domesticated, you are their care-taker and you are responsible for their health, their happiness and their life!
As soon as I started working and had my own money I started donating to all the rescue and animal rights organizations I could find. I was a member of ASPCA, HSUS, PETA, IFAW, WWF to name a few....I had enough address labels to last me a lifetime! haha If you've ever donated to a similar organization you know what I mean.
As an adult, I rescue as many animals as I can afford to and I now have a small farm and unofficially rescue pot bellied pigs and other small farm animals on my 10 acres. My life goal is to one day be able to do more, rescue more and become a real non-profit. Every animal that comes onto our farm, becomes part of our family. Every animal is treated with love and respect and gets the best care possible. No animal that comes to our farm will ever be exploited or killed for food.
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done,
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full
Thank you to all the divine souls who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals and spend their time and money saving these innocent creatures, educating people about animals rights and providing sanctuary and refuge for them.
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