Juliana and I have dedicated all of our adult lives to helping needy children and abused animals.

For us, caring for others has never been a trend. It’s been our life’s work.

For more than 40 years, we have dedicated ourselves to love in action:

• Through Food Yoga International, we’ve helped distribute over 8 billion plant-based meals to hungry people around the world — proving that food can heal both body and soul.

• Through Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary, the first registered animal sanctuary in Colombia, we’ve rescued and cared for hundreds of animals — cows, pigs, dogs, cats, and horses — each one given a second chance at life and love. Many of these animals are now elderly and require medical attention and have special needs.

• Through Juliana's efforts, thousands of school children have visited the sanctuary over the last 10 years and been introduced to the importance of animal welfare and a plant-based diet. As a result of this success, "Animal Welfare" is now an official part of the Colombian school curriculum!

Our sanctuary in Colombia is home to more than 200 animals who were once abandoned, abused, or left behind. Through the years we have saved nearly 3,000 lives.

But the truth behind sanctuary life is not what most people see online. Every day brings stress, exhaustion, and fear of running out of food or medicine. I love what we do, but the financial reality is heartbreaking. Donations have dropped dramatically, and many days we wonder how to keep going.

FALLING SHORT

We currently need around $12,000 a month to maintain, but we are falling way short of the mark. Juliana is getting up a 2.30 AM most mornings to pick up dogs for her dog daycare service and going to sleep around 10 PM. She also sells clothing merchandise through her Boninni brand, but all these efforts only bring in around $4000. Donations average around $1300, so most months, we are short around $6000 USD.

EVERY DONATION HELPS

$5 might not seem like much. It does not even buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks. But for us, $5 can literally save a life. If everyone who follows our work gave that small amount, we could cover food, medicine, and care for months.

In South America, we do not receive government support, and I know it is the same in many countries. When authorities rescue animals and have nowhere to take them in Colombia, we are the ones who step in because the government can’t afford it. And most grants from foundations or large organizations around the world only fund new projects, not daily necessities. That means there are no grants available to pay for food, medicine, utilities, or staff. If we do not start a new program, we are excluded from that funding, and our operational needs remain uncovered. Believe me, in this situation is a bad idea to start a new program.

80% of our animals are seniors who need special food and medical care. Every day, we fight to give them comfort, dignity, and love. But the truth is that if I got sick or something happened to me, they would have no one else, and I have to be honest, I am 43 years old, I can’t afford my insurance because all the money I make goes directly to the sanctuary, and I am not feeling healthy.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

We have three bulls that need urgent surgery to remove cancerous eyes. We do not have the funds to provide them with the medical attention they need.

Please help us help them!

Please help us keep this sanctuary alive. Your donation, no matter how small, keeps these animals safe. If you believe in respect, kindness, and justice for animals, this is your chance to make a difference.

If our mission has ever inspired you — if you believe in a world where kindness toward animals, people, and the planet defines progress — please act now.

Donate today to support our love and respect in action.

Share this campaign with your friends, networks, and communities. Every share could bring the help we need.

With love, exhaustion, and unwavering faith,

Paul Rodney Turner & Juliana Castaneda Turner

Founders, Food Yoga International & Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary