Exciting News in Toronto

There is some really exciting news here in the animal rights community! Mercy for Animals (USA) is starting up a Mercy for Animals Canada! This will mean big changes to the industries. People will get to see what goes on behind those closed doors in the factory farms & slaughterhouses. Nathan Runkle , the founder of Mercy for Animals USA has been in Toronto this past week meeting, greeting & planning with our own Joseph & Shannon (& their team). Twyla from CETFA will be heading up investigations! Nathan ,Shannon & Joseph came out to Snooters for a visit last weekend & it was such an honour to show him around & have him meet all our gang! Nathan also kindly did a mini talk about MFA to our volunteer group.

We had a very successful volunteer day last weekend with two U of T groups helping out in preparation for winter. So many chores done ! Thanks everyone!

We are about 1 week away from the steers (Norman & Ashli) & the sheep boys (Timmy & Tommy) going into their new barn...it has been a long road but we are so close now!

Sanctuary Visits 2012

Visits to the Sanctuary....
Starting in 2012 we are NOT going to be offering individual visits to the sanctuary. We are finding it too difficult to co-ordinate our time between chores, the animals, our paying jobs, family & our animal rights passions. Instead we will be offering x3 OPEN HOUSES per year & hopefully x2 VOLUNTEER DAYS per year. I hope this works out...we will revisit the topic after a year to see! The beginning of 2012 I will post dates for these functions so if you wish to attend you will have lots of time to plan ahead!
Thank you for your understanding & support of Snooters!

Summer of 2011

I looked at the blog & realized I have not posted anything for 2 months! My how time flies!! The summer is coming to an end, but much was accomplished these past few months. The buildings are complete....just need some final touches & the sheep (Timmy/Tommy) & steers (Ashli/Norman) can move in!!!
The first weekend in August, Anouk Bikkers & I headed down to the Farm Sanctuary Hoedown in NY....150 people (vegans) , camping, enjoying the lectures, food & the animals....a very fun time!!
The following week we were invited to be involved with an amazing event "10,000 tastes, 10 billion reasons" & it was so much fun! We had a table at Yonge/Dundas Sq & met so many great people! Sold some shirts, mugs, posters etc to help with expenses. The evening portion was a lecture by Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary....it was inspirational (as always) listening to him talk about the past 25 years since FS started up. Thank you Shannon & Joseph for including us!
We have had lots of visitors this summer & just had a small volunteer day (organized by a Toronto A/R group TARVE) which went very well. Lots of work done, time with the gang & lunch....a good time had by all !
September brings the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto. We are sharing a table with "We animals" & "Ghosts in our Machine". (aka Jo-anne McArthur & Liz Marshall)...quite an honour, I am very excited! I hope many of you will come down to this wonderful experience....drop by our table & say "hi" !
The animals are all doing well...enjoying some of these cooler temps! We had 8 peafowl chicks born in July...2 have since passed away but the others seem to be doing well. A joy to see new life on the farm!
I will post more once we have T & T/Ashli&Norman into their new area....I am excited to see how they will enjoy it!

News, news & more news....

Lets see where do I start?? Back in May we had started construction on a new house for the calf's(steers) & sheep. Our neighbour decided he did not like it & put in a complaint. This started the ball rolling & has led to so much red tape it is unbelievable! Seems if a structure houses animals it has to be 105 ft off the property line (any other structure only has to be 4 ft off the property line). The one in question is 40 ft off. Since the house was almost built we decided to keep it as a shed (legal) & build another house further back. So now x2 building permits! Then we find out we are on "protected wet land" so we have to get permission from the conservation authority to build anything....another $500 in permits & it is approved. So, as of 2 days ago we have all the permits & construction has begun! What was going to be an $9000 job has turned into a $25,000 job! Thank you Mr Thompson...idiot !
Fortunately the chicken coop went up without any problems! The girls moved in & love the freedom to explore their little fenced area. Sad news..the other night while we were out something (probably a raccoon) killed one of the girls. We will be getting electric fencing on their perimeter to avoid this happening again. Poor baby R.I.P.
The sheep boys are in a temporary area until their house is complete. They are loving it too! We had them sheared & they are so handsome! What sweet boys they are! Penny (potbellied pig) has been moved from the barn into Katie's old area....she loves the sunshine! Penny came from a horse farm were she had been trampled & has no use of her front right leg. She was kept in a very dark, damp part of their barn. She now has fresh straw, good meals, sun & love!
The Shrine Circus is in the Toronto region. So much time has been spent protesting against the use of animals in their acts. They have x2 beautiful Asian elephants, Shelly & Marie. They were kidnapped from Asia as babies & have been performing ever since...they are now 36 & 46 yrs old. One day I hope to not have to protest this & circuses will not use animals!
Back to Snooters.....all the gang are doing great! Gracie has been feeling well enough to soak her arthritic leg in the mud hole every night! Sunny (also arthritic) walks about challenging Johnny & Roy through the fence...this means he is feeling good! We have had a lot of rain lately so the mud holes are nice & full for all to enjoy!
We have been included in a great event taking place on August 10th at Yonge & Dundas Square in Toronto....lots of vegan food, lectures, products, music....come on out & join us! I will post the event closer to the date.
Have a great summer everyone!!

the Good and the Bad!

Lets start with the bad first!!! Well, we saved & had the sheep/steer barn built...a beautiful structure with 2 stalls (12x12 each). The barn was 90% done when our neighbour decided he did not like it. His house is some 400 ft away with a row of trees in between but he stopped construction. This is our fault, we read the bylaws as a structure only has to be 4 ft from the property line (this one is 32 feet) BUT apparently if it houses animals it has to be 105 ft from the property line! Because this building is almost complete & we had already paid instead of tearing it down we are making it into a shed (making it legal for the distance). Unfortunately we still have to build the animals shelter & this means lots of clearing in the forest & more fencing...to the tune of approx $12,000 more ! The building permits are in the works & hopefully construction can begin again soon.

The new chicken coop is started also & should be complete by weeks end. Everything is falling into place again... ;)

Now some good news....while at work last week I came upon a baby Canada goose laying in a busy store parking lot in Toronto. He was unable to walk. I brought him home, named him "Star" & he gained strength & learned to swim in the bathtub . He was running all over the house with only a very slight limp. We have 3 families of Canada Geese in our pond & today one family of 4 babies & the parents were eating on the lawn....the babies were about Star's size so I put him out there & he ran over to them. The entire bunch then walked over to the pond & swam to the other side!!! I will miss him but am very happy he has a goose family now! A city goose becoming a country goose!

Volunteer Day CANCELLED/POSTPONED

I am so sorry to have to do this but we are canceling Volunteer Day On May 28th. We are having some family health issues & our neighbour is causing problems legally with our new calf/sheep barn. There is a possibility we may have to take down the new $8000 barn....this will be money lost. Frankly, funds are so limited we cannot afford supplies & food for volunteer day.

I hope this has not caused anyone any inconvenience. Thank you for understanding.

Spring has sprung...sort of....

We had some nice warm temps at the beginning of March....the snow melting away, the geese arriving back to the pond & the peacocks fanning for the girls! Then BAM...snow & cold temps again! This week is suppose to warm up nicely....it is only March after all !

With the warm weather we had problems with the calfs house....a little streams seems to like to run right through the shelter. We had the contractors over & it looks like the best idea is to move the shelter to higher ground. They assure me this can be done in a day as not to upset the boys too much. After it is moved they are building an extension on to the house for the sheep-boys.

That brings me to our next bit of news.... the two sheep boys arrived from the university of Guelph via Cedar Row sanctuary last week....thank you to Siobhan & Florine for bringing them all the way here! We have named them Timothy & Thomas....Timmy & Tommy or T & T !!!

What sweet fellas they are....very social ! Right now they are living in 1/2 of the stall in the barn....Penny (potbellied pig) in the other half until their shelter is built. They will share the paddock with Norman & Ashli . I can hardly wait to see them running about in the fresh air!!

We have the plans done up for the new chicken coop too....very fancy. I hope the girls enjoy it!

Construction to begin soon!

Volunteer day is planned for May 28th so I am hoping this will all be done so the structures can be painted then.

A beautiful sunny day today....going out to enjoy it now!

Snooters Spring Volunteer Day 2011 !

Saturday May 28th (10am-4pm) is Snooters Spring Volunteer Day !!

Join us for some chores, meet & greet, vegan lunch & lots of animal time !

Please RSVP as soon as possible as I want to keep the numbers to about 50 people attending.

snootersforeverhome@gmail.com

See you then!

***Event is FULL !!! If you wish to be put onto a waiting list please email me** Thank you for all the great support. We can only comfortably accommodate 50-60 people with chores, lunch etc. I hope you understand.

Pook is Home!

Pook is our new rescue dog.

Pook is an 11 year old Pug who was surrendered to a NY state rescue along with 9 other pugs. This was a backyard breeding operation. These pugs were not spay/neutered, had fleas, were malnourished , never vetted & some heartworm positive.

Pook was the last one to find a home. He had needed nasal surgery to open up his airways for better breathing & needed recoup time at the foster home in NY.

My daughter Angela & I drove to Buffalo yesterday to pick up the little man. We were met by this adorable older pug (Pook) with a grey head & tan body....you could not help but smile! He sat quietly in his crate for the 3 hour drive & has settled in so nicely here at home. He has been here less than 24 hours & you would think he spent his entire life with us!

Pook is sleeping on his new big fluffy bed as I write this. We are so happy to have him here !

Welcome Pook!!!!

If you can spare a few dollars this rescue organization is amazing. They are called "Buffalo Pug & small breed rescue"

http://www.buffalopugs.org/index.php

Interesting week!

Yesterday we had a film crew out to Snooters for a show on Showcase. This show is suppose to be about the horrors of factory farming. That is why I agreed to do it. A crew of about 10 guys pulled up & I soon realized this show was much different then I had been led to believe. The host, Kenny, is a comedian (remember Kenny & Spenny?) The show is suppose to have serious topics with a "comedic flair" (the producers words). I thought "OH NO" this is going to be a joke. They were here for several hours, lots of film taken & long interviews with me. They brought in an animal communicator (in my opinion it did not go so well). I have a feeling I will be the "crazy pig lady" in this show. Live & learn....ask more questions & ask to be paid !!! Thank goodness I had 2 friends (Anouk & Sharon) here as moral support!

Today was totally different. Jo-Anne, Karol & Liz (a director/producer for documentaries) came over to take pictures of our parrot Gonzo for an upcoming documentary. It was so nice to be in the company of people who totally "get it" (animal rights that is!) . We had fun with the calfs, had lunch & good conversation. A lovely donation was left for the sanctuary for my time.

I am still waiting on our newest rescue....he is an 11 yr old pug named "Pook". He is in Buffalo & I just have to arrange to pick him up. He looks very sweet! Another puppy mill breeder ;( I will be excited to bring him home !!

Anti FUR Demos

This past weekend was filled with anti fur demos across Canada. There were 3 in the Toronto area. I attended the one on Saturday outside Holt Renfrew at Bay & Bloor. It was a great turnout , between 60-70 people! Lots of great signs & literature handed out. My only hope is that people will listen! This year has seen such an influx of fur products. I can only hope this "trend" will pass quickly.

If you see someone wearing fur, try to educate them on the cruelty involved in their fashion statement.

If they walk away, so be it....at least YOU tried!

Home Sweet Home Penny!

Our newest rescue arrived today via Bob & Sherry from Ruby Ranch pig sanctuary. Penelope was the product of a broken home. She sustained a severe front leg injury after being trampled by a horse over a year ago.

We learned about her about a week ago & offered up a home. "Penny" is a (approx)3 year old potbellied pig. She arrived this afternoon & settled in nicely. I always feel so bad for them as she is leaving the only home she has ever known....good or bad. It will take some time for her to feel comfortable .

Penny is in one of the stalls in the barn for now but will move out to Katie's old house in the spring so she can have free access to the outdoors. She ate , took treats & is all buried in the blankets & straw as I type this. Penny will do just fine at Snooters.....we will care for & love her always!

Welcome Penny!!!

It is COLD here....

Okay, I know it is January in Canada so I should not be surprised at the -20c temps BUT I still hate it !!!

I worry about the gang outside. They all have heated houses but I still worry about them all.

Today was one of those cold but bright blue sky days....took some pics & did enjoy the time spent outside with everyone.

On the "up" side winter is almost half over!

Now for my pet peeve (one of many!) I cannot believe how many of those stupid "Canada Goose Coats" I have been seeing. Young, old, male, female , if doesn't seem to matter. I really thought (foolishly) that people had evolved & were actually not wearing fur because of the cruelty. I guess not, as these ugly coats are everywhere. For those of you who are not familiar with them.....they are goose down filled coats with coyote trim on the hoods. The cost of wearing these ugly things is between $300 - $600 depending on the style. Sadly, they are very trendy.

I guess people just do not think about the geese being plucked alive & the coyotes in traps suffering sometimes for days before the trapper makes his way back to check. They DON'T but they SHOULD !! I always give a sneer & dirty look as they walk by....sometimes saying out loud how horrible it is to wear something so cruel. I think I might make up some pamphlets to hand out to these ignorant people.

Stepping off my soapbox now....

Please share...

Friends missing dog...

http://939bobfm.blogspot.com/2011/01/missing-bernese-mountain-dog-please.html

New Year...New Hopes....

Let me first start off with a very Happy New Year to all !!! Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2011 !!!

I want to thank everyone who supports us physically, financially & most importantly emotionally.

This year has seen many changes to Snooters. We had our first ( & second) volunteer days.We have set up a web site & have been fundraising with much success! We have met some wonderful people who share our values....who we now call, with pride, "friends" !

We have lost a few of our animal family....the (first) rescue hens, our beloved old gal" Katie" (pig), our new hen "Tiny" & our very loved puppy mill rescue Chi/pug "Puggles".....losing loved ones is always hard & we treasure their memories forever. The animal rights community lost a very special member in February of 2010. Ashli Taylor (who our calf "Ashli" is named after) was killed in a truck accident. Ashli was a very special girl who I only met twice but immediately connected with. Ashli loved "Snooters" (although she never had the chance to visit)....I do feel she "visits" in a different way now .....I believe she watches over us .

In 2010 we saw the rescue of "Ashli & Norman", the calf's who came to us at 3 days old from the cruel dairy industry ...they are such wonderful additions to the sanctuary! We now have 3 more rescue battery cage hens who are doing so well. The first project of 2011 is to build them an awesome hen house (thanks to Ashley Archer who raised $1000 for the cause!) We will welcome 3 sheep from a research facility in Feb 2011...we look forward to meeting these gals & giving them their forever homes.

I attended many gatherings(as many as I can) for animal rights & continue to spread the word everyday to all who will lend an ear (& even to those who won't !!!)

All in all 2010 was a good year & we have high hopes for 2011 !!

Thank you everyone! We look forward to meeting new friends this year & connecting with "old" ones too!

Again, Happy New Year to ALL ....2 & 4 legged creatures!!!

XXXOOO