SquirrelWood Equine Sanctuary Inc.

Update: An extaordinary amount has been happening behind the scenes here at Squirrelwood. Shorty before the formal announcement of closure, a Tri-State rescue group approached me about merging to create an incredible multi species property that retained the magic of Squirrelwood, and open it to a wider group of animals. It would become a showcase of what modern humane could look like if dreams became reality. This takes incredible vision. Most shelters operate to warehouse those poor animals that our society discards. The young, old and everything in between.

I would remain on and be tasked with introducing this group and their ideas to the audience I have so carefully tended for 8 years.

Croutonia now has a new mission: We prove our worth! We prove this sanctuary and the animals that call it home are worth taking on. It is a huge undertaking, and as you can imagine, not everyone shares the idea. This is our chanced to prove them wrong. Croutonia is amazing when we set our mind to it. We CAN do this. We raised $30K in 3 days!! We can do it. This place is worth it. Squirrelwood is magic. You and I know that. Over the next two weeks we are going to show the world that this sanctuary will continue to be home to these animals and to me (running social media).

What's at stake ---> Squirrelwood remaining a sanctuary to join forces and create a visionary multi species showcase for the Tri-State Area, Enabling a group that saves thousands of lives each year have more of an impact. A life saving impact. It is monumental. It would become an educational center to focus public sentiment strongly behind animals and their humane treatment. It would provide a place for families to learn the incredible inner lives of our residents and how deeply each animals feels. Studies show us that children exposed to humane education are less likely to abuse an animal, or human! This place could become so much more.

What happens next? In two weeks they will decide if we are worth saving. We need to fundraise like our lives depend on it-->it does. This fundraiser has the ability to show them the magic of Croutonia.

What will Beth do? I will continue with what I do best, social media content and fund raising. I have spent the past few weeks getting healthy for the next job of my busy life. I'd be honored to continue creating content for all of you. And who doesn't love seeing all different animals??

Time frame- The next couple weeks are critical. Early momentum may spur a quicker vote.

But will it work?? I won't sugar coated it. There is no guarantee at this point. If we don't try there isn't any hope. I think it is worth fighting for. Will you all fight with me?

But, who are they? Because no formal board resolution exists, yet, I cannot name them. My hope is that in the next two weeks that will change and I can edit this to include all salient details.

Let's make this happen Croutonia! My faith is in all of you. This could be Diane's legacy. Not just Crouton and friends. This could be so much more. It would expose countless people to the magic each of you knows to be true. It would mean the sanctuary remains open beneath the wings of another not for profit. It means I could keep on with all of you. Let's do it for Squirrelwood! Let's do it for Diane! Her life is worth that.

After a sudden loss of Diane, the sanctuary has struggled. Beth has been in deep grief and has been unable to keep online content going. This happened during a time when donations were already down due to inflation and other economic pressures on our donors. We are reaching out to all of you to consider helping the sanctuary get going again. Any amount helps. There are huge projects that need to get going, including replacing a leaking 25-year-old roof. This is critical right now. We are setting a large goal to help get that started in phases.

We need you now more than ever. We do realize it is a difficult time for many people. Keep Diane's legacy alive with your generosity now.

As many of you know Diane passed away suddenly last week from a ruptured aneurysm in her brain. The outpouring of love has been immense. We need each of you now. The sanctuary is here and the animals all still need you. Our commitment was always to keep them safe. That remains unchanged.

It’s time for our annual Valentine's Day Fundraiser. Each $20 donation allows the donor to select a favorite animal to send a heart to. All the hearts go up on the barn as we celebrate ❤️. This is one of our major yearly events here. Can you help out and share some love? All proceeds go to sanctuary animals.

Pesto has developed a recurrence of colitis and mild laminitis. She needs immediate treatment with medications to try and save her life. We successfully treated her last year. Hoping she responds to meds the way she did the first time around. She needs help and it is costly.

Our Pesto has Lyme disease again. Not the best Christmas gift , especially right now. Winter is our toughest season. Because of her size and colitis history it is very costly to treat her. Can you help us take care of Pesto’s emergency needs?

Squirrelwood has been our home and our life for the past 21 years. It has seen so much blood, sweat and tears. From a fledgling farm to an amazing sanctuary.

I never wanted to write this, or launch this fundraiser. We have found ourselves at the very brink. Our survival as a sanctuary is in peril and we look to all of you for help. Time is short and we need to save our home and this safe place for all our animals. Each of you has shown up for us when we need you most. Now is that time. We once raised $30K in a weekend for the rescue trailer! We CAN DO this!

The property the sanctuary is on is in foreclosure and will be auctioned. I cannot envision a world without this amazing place in it. We need to secure the farm and have the necessary funds to place it in a land trust so this property will never be threatened with development. This amazing place needs to forever stay a sanctuary to both animal and wildlife.

We have fought for this place over many years. We need you to fight with us. Can you help us save it?

We will always be here for the animals. If we fail and cannot remain here we will find a way to continue somewhere nearby. I do not want anyone to worry about the animals. They have always come first, and will continue to as we sort this all out.

I want to take a minute to thank each and every one of you. Your trust and belief in us means so very much. I want you all to know that. This little sanctuary would not exist without you.

Can we save Squirrelwood? If each of our thousands of supporters pitch in WE CAN! Please help and share.

Donors can reach us via this platform or our social media.

Holiday Match Fundraiser!! We have a generous $5000 match on the table if we can raise it. This is our toughest time of the year. The cold weather means more feed and hay. Recent vet visits for the crew. Can you help us reach our goal??

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the animals here at the sanctuary are ready. Send Love Notes and Hearts to all your favorite residents!! We will be doing a live video from the barn to show you all the love and hearts sent our way. $5 gets you a small heart to be hung in the barn. $10 buys a big heart. For $50 you can specify which animal will be your Valentine. $100 gets you an individual Valentine's Day video/zoom message with the animal of your choice. For gifts above $100, you will receive a private sanctuary tour for you and your Valentine and a gift heart signed by the resident you select (In Person or Virtual). This is our first major fundraiser of the year and we are hoping it will be AMAZING!! We will post updates so you know when to tune in for our live video on the 14th. If you are selecting a private zoom/video please get in touch with us so we can plan time. We be randomly selecting 3 hanging hearts on the 14th. If the heart has your name on it Crouton will be sending you a gift bag. Happy SES Valentine's Day Everyone!!!

Spring is just about here. This means vaccinations, worming, foot care and health exams for the animals here at the sanctuary. This also means continued care for animals recovering from health issues over the winter. Pesto will be getting continued testing and exams. Franklin will be having recheck. We will be setting up an on site cattle squeeze chute ($3000) so the vet can exam each of the bovines safely. Thanks to Tractor Supply we have found one nearby. Spring also means our hay supply is running a little low and needs to be topped up before local farmers cut hay. Our new intakes Lionel & Richie will be having additional testing next week to confirm they are safe and free from strep equi. All of these take funds and we could use your help. Any amount helps and it all adds up to keep the sanctuary running and the animals thriving.

Edit: add on an emergency late night vet visit for Franklin. He got himself cast and we couldn’t get him up. Thankfully he is doing fine now.

It is almost Giving Tuesday!! This year we are doing a flash fundraiser to add some hay feeders to our pastures. These are a more economical version than the metal ones in use already. These will go into the herd pastures that are currently without feeders. They will help us cut down on hay waste and save $$. The HayHut is placed over the hay and keeps it dry and in one place. The animals love to spread the valuable hay all over the place and it is wasted. We will be picking one up this week and hope to add two more next week before it gets much colder. Can you help us make this Giving Tuesday Terrific?

FLASH FUNDRAISER- We are sending a load of hay and supplies to North Carolina Monday. Our goal is $4000 to cover cost of hay and truck/fuel for this trip. Please consider a donation to get this life saving supply to animals in dire need RIGHT NOW. This means so much to a region devastated by hurricane Helene. We can help with your donations.

VITAL INFO:

Truck leaves Saturday Oct 5th in the afternoon.

Traveling from NY to Columbus NC. Hay will be delivered to Dream Haven farm/ Alexa Moran that is distribution center. Project Dynamo is involved in this distribution into hardest hit areas.

Hay is being sourced from NJ at cost of $5.75 bale

Remaining fundraising covers box truck, fuel and supplies including diapers/ formula and first aid supplies.

We will pack up totes to be shipped down with the hay.

Trip will be documented by driver who is a trusted member of the local horse community. She is a professional shipper.

If you have any questions please reach out to us. We are a NY based horse and farm animal rescue 501c3.

As everyone knows, Petunia our newest sheep had a secret!! She delivered a healthy boy yesterday afternoon. Much to everyone's suprise. We are not set up for baby sheep and will need to very quickly upgrade an existing area with predator proof tall wire fencing. He is tiny and can easily fall prey to a fox. This fundraiser will also cover all vet care for him and Petunia. Please pitch in and offer a name in the comments section. We will select a name from all our wonderful donor's suggestions.

Spring is here and that means vaccines for EVERYONE!! Big expense for the sanctuary and we would love your help. I'm sure everyone knows we have had a bunch of emergency vet expenses & the surgery to remove mass from Richie's eye. Can you help us get caught back up? The sheep will all get sheared and the flock gets vaccinated as well. Can't forget the cows! It is a busy time here on the farm. Any amount is greatly appreciated.