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Autumn Hollow Sanctuary |
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August 11th, 2008
I went through a sort of surreal experience a couple of months ago while posting advertisements in Alberta Beach for our Summer Open House & Fundraiser. I had posted the notice and wandered away in search of bread. I happened to be just in hearing range of a couple of women who were behind me perusing the notice board a short time later. Clearly they did not know who I was. One was interested in coming out to the Open House and stated as much. The other, to my astonishment almost snarled in a derisive voice “All they’re trying to do is get money from you.” The other seemed cowed and they both walked away. (Obviously they did not come to the Open House!) I have to admit that I wanted to say something…I don’t know…anything. But all I could think of was “Yup! They caught me. Mea Culpa! I am, indeed, trying to get money.”
What I can’t figure out is why this would offend people. In truth, not a single person on our mailing list did come out to support us at the fundraiser. Not one. That is a long list of people who received notifications and invitations. But I imagine many were of the same mind as the woman in the Alberta Beach store. Oh…they just want money. In light of this I wonder exactly how people think we are able to operate. Just the food for the animals we take can be and has been hundreds of dollars a month. Add to that bedding and medication and toys and cages and housing and damages and cleaning supplies and time. This is what I do full time and what Twyla does full time when she is not studying. We could really use the second income so I am trying to work again with half of the proceeds from my work going to the Sanctuary but often there are just not enough hours in the day to do that work. Other than that we run entirely on donations and through our fundraisers. Yessirree, I try to get money. However, we don’t ask people to just hand over the cash. Through our bake and gift sales, our upcoming catalog and the showroom/shoppe we hope to offer people the opportunity to purchase some pretty unique things.
Thank the Gods That Look Out for Small, Fuzzy-Feathered Creatures that some of the students of the Abundant Peace Aikido and Tai Chi School in St. Albert took us under their wing and supported us tremendously. Without them we would have been in a difficult position!
The Cost of Living and Keeping Something Living:
It has come to what I feared it might for some time now. As a Sanctuary there are difficult decisions to make every day. Some can be heart-wrenching but necessary. This is one of those times. Without the money to operate we have to severely limit the animals we are able to take in while still being able to live ourselves. The cost of food, fuel, electricity, as well as some unforeseen expenses that the rescue and we personally have had to shoulder has put us in a difficult position. I know many other rescues are facing a similar situation. With the high cost of living along with landlords disallowing pets we are seeing more and more animals of every kind abandoned. We are as overwhelmed as everyone else. But there is just too much month at the end of the money as the old saying goes.
Yet as we struggle to make ends meet just for ourselves, we cannot bring ourselves to close entirely. So, as of July 1st we will only be accepting surrenders of birds…mainly…parrots and small exotics (the exotics on a limited basis) until next spring.
It is a horrible decision to have to make but we are left with no choice as we try to regroup and recover enough in the account to do needed renovations, repairs and supply stock up. We will try to help those in need by steering them to other shelters and rescues who may be able to help if we cannot. The animals who are in residence presently will remain here until suitable Forever Homes can be found or they will remain indefinitely. We still have many birds that would love a visit so call any time and come out for a visit.
June 25th, 2008
The Summer Newsletter will be out the first week of July. To receive your free newsletter contact us by phone or e mail at;
autumndomoslai@yahoo.com or 780-924-3633
We will have a new catalog coming out this summer featuring the products we sell to raise funds for the Sanctuary. Many are unique, one of a kind and custom pieces. If you are interested in receiving a free copy of the catalog email or call us and we'll get one out to you as soon as they are ready!
We have quite a few little critters that are in need of a nw home. Please see our adoptions page to learn more.
Finally, thanks go out especially to the members of St. Albert's Abundant Peace Aikiido and Tai Chi School for their tremendous support during our Summer Open House fundraiser! It wouldn't have been possible without you!
June 13th, 2008
Don't forget to come out and have some fun on June the 13th, 14th & 15th. Autumn Hollow will be holding our Bake and Gift Sale and picnic weekend. Pack a lunch and come out for a day in nature! 12:00noon to whenever each day.
April 30, 2008
We are finding that it is time to build new cages and upgrade our animal’s living areas. Wood and supplies are expensive. Soooo…we are, as always winging it.
Do you have an old wooden futon frame that you don’t want? Or are you taking down fencing or other structures to make way for the new? If the wood is in decent shape we can sure use it.
If you would be willing to bring it to us instead of taking it to a land fill or paying someone else to do so, we would put it to terrific use and you would be helping needy critters to have new luxury surroundings. If you would like to donate lumber or other building materials, please give us a call or send us an email
Upcoming Gift & Sale – Picnic Weekend
June 13, 14 & 15
We will be holding our bi-yearly open house, gift and bake sale. Be sure to gather up as many friends as you can and come on out for the day. We will have wonderful, magickal gifts and handmade products and delicious baking for you and your pet. You are welcome to pack a picnic and wander the grounds for the day. We even have a fire-pit if you’d like to roast a few hotdogs and marshmallows. If you would like to donate baking for the sale give us a call and let us know! We welcome the contributions. For directions give us a call or e mail us and we’ll get you here!
Wildlife
Autumn Hollow isn’t just for pets. We have a wide range of wildlife and we are determined to keep them safe. Unfortunately we live in a gun-happy area and many critters who are not really bothering anyone at all are shot for no reason. Animals are safe at Autumn Hollow though! Give us a call and ask how you can help.
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Madame Black Stockings coming for a visit. |
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Auntie Autumn’s Guide to Saving the Earth & Her Children
We are in the process of writing a guide for people who are interested in animal and Earth rescue. It will be full of stories and advice on how to change your life and help others to change theirs. It is all about life choices and how the choices you make today will change tomorrow for all of our children. All proceeds from sales of the book when it is done will go to developing the sanctuary and teaching programs for adults and children alike.
Building Better Homes
We are in the planning process of building new housing for some of our inside guests. We need someone who knows their way around a hammer and nails to help us out. If you are just such a person and love critters as much as we do, please give us a call. All meals will be provided for the lucky volunteer(s)!
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Contact Autumn @ (780)924-3633 or autumndomoslai@yahoo.com
The official Autumn Hollow Sanctuary & Autumn Hollow Fine Art Website:©2008 All Rights Reserved