Help us build a Duck, Duck, Goose Pond!

All people and animals deserve to live a meaningful life. Hope Springs Farm aspires to provide this not only for our program participants, adults with disabilities whom we call Growers, but also our furred and feathered friends. This GoFundMe was created in an effort to assist in providing a pond for our ducks and goose who are currently not able to live fully healthy lives without one.

In 2020, we inherited our two older ducks, Minnie and Daffy, when they were in need of a home. They have been using a kiddie pool for the past two years. This past spring, we inherited more waterfowl, when they accidentally included a goose in our shipment of baby chicks. So, we currently have four ducks and one goose who are in desperate need of a pond. Despite our best efforts of care, the older ducks are sadly experiencing the ill effects of not having an adequate water source. An open water source is needed for an abundance of reasons, including that water is an essential component to the health and happiness of waterfowl. Water is needed to regulate body temperature, especially during hotter summer months. Imagine how you, as a human, feel while sitting out in the hot sun without a cool pool in sight. Water is also needed for their drinking, maintaining plumage, and keeping eyes and nostrils clean. A pond is vital for optimal preening conditions and feather health. Parasites and mites are common among waterfowl, and a substantial amount of water is needed in order to rid themselves of said pests. A functioning oil gland is imperative to the wellbeing of waterfowl, as it protects and waterproofs them from the cold, rain, snow and other elements. The oil gland of waterfowl is only able to be activated when water is splashed over the back, as it sits at the base of the tail.

We would love nothing more than to see our ducks and goose living their best and healthiest lives, but this cannot be done without a sufficient pond. Fortunately we were blessed with a grant that can cover a portion of funds needed for the pond. However, we are still in need of a significant amount of funding to complete the project. As a nonprofit, we rely tremendously on fundraising and donations. Every little bit counts! We appreciate any help we may receive, and we look forward to helping our feathered friends live the life they were intended to. In turn, our Growers will continue to care for them and live out their own lives of meaning.