Dedicating my life to animal rescue is not a 'hobby'. It is a calling. Billions of people around the world have dedicated themselves to helping the so called 'lesser' creatures of God. It is what they and I do. It is their and my life's mission. So the lifestyle is not for you. Fine. I will not judge anyone else just because I may not approve of what they do or what they believe in or because they are different then me.

Grown to proportions i can't handle??? I have never hoarded animals. I have never had more then I can financially support, give an equal amount of quality time to, proper care and the love each deserves. I have not taken in any extra animals in the past two years because of my situation and because it would not be fair to the animals i currently have and would be a disservice to them. I have successfully rescued and rehomed hundreds of animals during my years as a rescuer. No small feat for a large rescue, let alone a private individual. In the last 38 years prior to losing one job in 2007, I have NEVER, EVER asked for donations. I have NEVER, EVER requested nor received ONE CENT for taking care of those animals during all those years. EVERYTHING has come out of MY own pocket. When I was finacially able to, I donated to others less fortunate. I gave to struggling rescues so they wouldn't have to close. I opened my home to a homeless person in order for her to get a job and get on her own feet. I have given, and now I find I may need a 'little' help myself.....and like many others, never thought i would ever have to ask for any kind of assistance. I have always solely financially supported myself AND the animals. You make it sound as if I am responsible for losing my job and ending up in the situation i am in when this has happened through circumstances beyond my control. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs in the past three years and still people are being laid off or let go because of the economy.

Yes after losing my job, I asked for help. Gosh, I am so happy everything in your world is a bed of roses, but I have hit a financial rough patch this once in my 58 years of life and need a little outside help and for some reason you attack me. It was not easy for me to 'ask' for any help because I have always been strongly independent. Friends and even strangers offered me hay and food for the animals after I lost my job. Some gave donations. I have kept the contact information for every person who gave my rescue anything whether it was $1 or $50 because I intend to repay them when i am able to...and i know that day will come. They have told me they do not want anything in return. So when I am in a position to one day "pay it forward" I will.

When I was on unemployment, I worked cleaning barns and doing odd jobs to help make the bills while searching for solid employment. I did not sit on my behind as some do while collecting unemployment nor did I expect to receive money from anyone. If people donated it was because they WANTED to. If people donated they knew full well any donation was NOT tax exempt. They gave anyway because they WANTED to.

 My only thought was to get money???? On the contrary, i have stated on the rescues website a donation of a free or cheap used mobile home would solve 90% of the problem. The other 10 % is peanuts if we could  somehow secure a used mobile home. I would take a used mobile home over money any day. Two years ago mobile home parks were giving away homes for nothing. Had I foreseen I would be laid off from work and in this situation I would have jumped on that opportunity. Unfortunately i don't have ESP.

When I said I "do without" to care for the animals I was not implying I went hungry. I do without luxuries. I am very frugal in order for the animals to receive the food and care they need. Sure at my current job I can get health insurance. I choose not to because it is a huge chunk out of my paycheck. Luckily my family has always enjoyed excellent health, but if I were to ever suffer any illness, there is a free health clinic that is run by doctors who volunteer their services a mere 15 miles from me which I can avail myself to.

 As for "how long I think my friend will let us stay on her farm with all those animals running around"??? My friend also has a rescue. She saves horses and donkeys. She loves animals as much as i do. She will have no issue with "all those animals running around". On the contrary, she welcomes another 'helping hand' to care for all the animals. We have talked at great length and OUR 'plans' will be to expand our combined rescues to accepting other farm animals once the economy turns around and we are financially stable to do so.

People who are vegetarians or vegans for ethical reasons are the only ones who truly 'love' animals, so you may say you 'love animals as much as the next person', but if you eat animals killed for food, you do not truly 'love' animals. I won't go into a debate about the fact humans don't need to eat animal products because there is enough proof we can get the required nutrients for excellent health on a plant based diet. I won't go into a debate that it is wrong to kill animals and many people believe as Albert Einstein that "There will come a day when men such as myself will view the slaughter of innocent creatures as horrible a crime as the murder of his fellow man." But I will say there are millions of people just like me, to whom animals are not merely 'pets' or even just 'companions', but cherished members of our family, as important as any human member. And animals are just 'like children'. They are sentient, intelligent, affectionate beings, and most have the intelligent level of a 5 year old. They are beings which we would no more 'euthanize' then we would our own human children. Yes I realize you don't understand this. I realize you won't understand how some people can form such a strong bond and have such an affinity with animals. Yes, I realize many people view animals as 'just' animals and they 'serve no purpose". But as Alice Walker so eloquently puts it

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women were created for men.”

However, it is what it is and it is not for you to understand. It is not for you to judge. It is not for you to bash someone else's beliefs. It is not for you to approve nor to demand explanations. i will continue to do what I have been put on this earth for, whether or not you, or any else, approves.

I am a private individual who saves and rehomes unwanted animals (as in "FOSTER HOME RESCUE") so no, I do not have a business license nor do I need an Animal Shelter registration. Non-profit? You do realize the state of the economy right? Shelters are closing in every state and I know of many shelters in MI alone that had to close because there just is NOT ENOUGH GOVERNMENT MONEY out there to be dispersed among them. The rabbit sanctuary I used to work for is not getting nearly the amount of grants it used to get 4 years ago, can barely pay the cost of running and maintaining the rescue and is at risk of having to close it doors. My friend in OH applied for 501 in 2004, and has since not gotten one grant....ZERO. Her 501 status has not significantly increased the number of tax-exempt donors either. She tells me it was a waste of time to fill out all the paperwork because she is still paying for almost everything out of her own pocket. She has had plenty of media exposure and that is a route I have also tried locally without much luck.

I am in MI which is the state that has the highest unemployment rate. People are losing their jobs and homes and are moving out of MI in droves. They are abandoning their animals in record numbers. People are letting loose their horses and livestock to fend for themselves and you will find some of these animals wandering across some farmers field half-starved looking for food. You obviously have no clue the enormity of the homeless and abandoned animal situation, which no longer is comprised of just cats and dogs, but now includes farm animals. Besides, because of the amount of animals being already surrendered, the existing shelters do not have the room and 90%+ of animals coming in are immediately put down. And I am to surrender my animals to an already overworked, overburdened animal shelter and sentence them to certain death? Wouldn't it make more sense to try and keep as many animal rescues OPERATING so they can take some of these unwanted animals?? The goal is for this rescue to move to my friends farm where we can live RENT FREE. This is going to enable us to keep rescuing and rehoming a lot of these abandoned animals.

 Hmmmm what do you think 501 status will get me?? Surely the government is not going to "give" me a farm to run my rescue (just dosn't work that way and I don't have the money to purchase a farm) "Tax-free" is not going to pay the bills by any stretch of the imagination. Surrender the animals to an organization that can care for them? To even suggest they are not being taken care of is insulting. These animals get more love and attention then some parents give their human children. They get more then enough food even if it means i go without some things because THEIR welfare is paramount. The special needs animals get the therapy they need everyday. If i surrender the handicapped animals they will undoubtedly be euthanized, because it seems NO ONE wants to be responsible for healthy animals coming into these shelters let alone the ones with health issues. I have dedicated my life to helping animals, I am not about to stop now. I SOLELY have taken care of them throughout the years. After being permanently laid off from a decent paying job I was only able to secure work at minimum wage.....so these days I am one of the fortunate ones who still has a job. However, even at minimum wage, I am quite capable of feeding and caring for the animals....the present need is finding a PERMANENT home environment....not asking for money to feed or provide for them because that's already taken care of. And once we are established on a permanent residence I may check into applying for 501 status because when the economy eventually turns around in a few years, grants may then become more available.

Last night I received two leads to possible options which I am going to check into, but I am not getting my hopes up because I have had offers in the past that did not pan out. Right now the best plan is to move to my friends farm as soon as possible.

Please help us move the rescue to a new home. I have practically exhausted all options and I am getting very discouraged and depressed. These animals are my family!!!! It is tearing my heart out to think I may have no choice but to surrender them. My concern is for them. I have no idea where I will even live because rent is so high and I only found a minimum wage paying job after being laid off last year. I will be forced to close the rescue and the animals lives will literally be at risk if I do not raise enough money to buy a used mobile home and have it moved to a friends farm by late summer/fall. She is not going to charge us rent for living on her property which will allow the rescue to remain open and keep operating.

Please read about our rescue and our "Adopt an Animal Fundraiser" where you can choose from our animals to 'adopt' for as little as $10 (or more). You can also "Feed the Dog" or simply donate to help us reach our goal. We are on a deadline and the animals futures are at stake! PLEASE help THEM! Please click link to 'Adopt an Animal". If anyone near Adrian MI knows of a mobile home someone is willing to donate, that would solve 90% of the problem and give us hope of staying together! THANK YOU!

http://www.paintcreekrescue.org/

Mission Statement
http://www.paintcreekrescue.org/id32.htm

The objective
http://www.paintcreekrescue.org/id31.htm

Adopt an animal or donate
http://www.paintcreekrescue.org/id20.htm

THANK YOU!

Thanks for the words of encouragement Very Tired Family. I have already done everything you have suggested during the past 2 years since this farm was first put up for sale. I feel like i have left no stone unturned and all options already exhausted. I am very discouraged but really try to stay positive and pray everyday something will come up or we will somehow get the help we need.

Yes, I pray all the time and God does answer prayers because this farm was up for sale several times but through His mercy, things kept happening that had to be addressed before the landlady could actually sell the farm. A fire in the upstairs for one, and all the repair took months to do because the insurance company was reluctant to pay. Then there was a septic problem and a new septic field and tank had to be installed. That took another few months. It seems like God was making it so we could stay here longer, but now the farm IS sold, and with only months before we have to be out, I am in panic mode, don't sleep, stress has raised my blood pressure sky high and I can't afford to get sick because I don't have insurance and if something happened to me, the animals would surely go to auction....where they would most likely be bought for slaughter. Tried the media I cannot tell you how many times, but my pleas went unheard or were ignored. Car wash...I am in MI and it is very cold here. Not only that but we are way out in the country and the road is little traveled. My church (and others I have asked) do not put out a call for help for any of the members. Wow, i thought surely they would be willing to help somehow, but no place to even post my situation on a community board or anything of the like. Lumber yards? I could almost laugh at that if it weren't so darn sad....but because of the economy, the two lumber yards around here closed. One as long as 2 years ago went out of business. I have been on free-cycle and Craigslist advertising for lumber etc. and a used mobile home, but no luck there either. I have 11 goats, dog houses are not adequate for them here in MI. Temps were below 0 last night with wind chills even lower. I know I can build a hoop shelter, but when I figured in the cost of the cattle panels, t-posts, wood and tarps, it came to around the same as a 12X24 portable shelter costs and the portable shelter is far easier and faster to erect as it fold out and only needs to be tied down securely to anchors. I am going to post again at all businesses and try the media in the hope a miracle will happen and the right person sees my 'wish-list'. I appreciate your response, and I know you are sincere. I wish I was in a position to help others in need, if not for being in the same situation. I hope someday I will be able to pay it forward to another person in dire circumstances. God bless you and I hope somehow you get the help you need.

I don't know if i qualify, but I need donations to buy a used mobile home and a portable animal shelter, otherwise the animals and I will be homeless by May. I have an animal rescue (goats & cats) and the farm I currently rent has been sold. The new owners are moving in here in late spring. My friend in Adrian, MI has acreage and told me if I can get a used mobile home (cheap or free) and have it moved there, we are welcome to live on the property. There is no barn there so I would need to purchase a portable animal shelter, or have a building erected. I lost a job back in Feb of last year and was on unemployment for 6 months before I found another job in July. That one I had for less then 4 months, but since the company was automotive related, they were letting people go by November. I was fortunate enough to secure employment at a Goodwill store, but it only pays minimum and is part-time. When i worked for the auto company, I was able to save some money toward the mobile home, but we are far from our goal. I am trying to be very frugal and save a little money right now, but it is difficult at minimum wage paying the bills and keeping the animals fed and vetted.

If we cannot save enough money to do all of that (purchase mobile home or have one donated to us, have it moved, buy an animal shelter) I will probably have to live in a homeless shelter....which is not my biggest concern. My biggest fear is for the animals. There are few no-kill shelters here, and the ones which are no-kill are filled beyond capacity because people are abandoning their pets when they lose their homes to foreclosure. If we cannot make the move to Adrian, I will be forced to surrender these innocent animals and they will most likely be put down. The animals are like my family and i cannot bear the thought they may be euthanized. I feel like a traitor. We need help in any form. Donation of a used mobile home, donation of a portable animal shelter or donations of money. If you know anyone in the Adrian, MI area who may know where we can get a used mobile home (cheap or donated for free) that information would be priceless. If anyone can donate even a small amount toward the purchase of a portable animal shelter, we would be so fortunate and blessed and God will surely bless you for helping us. Thank you for reading our story.

Even though you struggle at times like the rest of us, how wonderful you try to give when you can. Kudos. It is wise of you to request to meet people who need help in person as there are many frauds out there. Even begging for money and making fictitious profiles that try to pull the heart strings. It is such a sorry thing there are those kinds of people out there giving the real needy a bad name and taking advantage of the situation.

And you are right....you can do a lot on a shoestring and with a little imagination to make Christmas just as wonderful for a child as if you had spent 100's of dollars. Makes everything more meaningful too. People who live beyond their means and now suddenly find themselves struggling need to learn the meaning of being frugal. Get rid of all the cars and luxuries, and move to a smaller house. Material things don't make you happy and trying to attain some kind of social status only has gotten many into financial trouble.

Sorry, I guess I will get off my rant now. Just wanted to say I think it is wonderful that someone "pays it forward" as you do. Those who come from simple roots know better then anyone the meaning of hard work as you apparently do. And also possess charity, compassion and a willingness to help those less fortunate. You will be blessed many times over for your kindness to others.

God Bless.

You are pretty funny and thanks for taking the time to tell us your story. Don't worry about the bipolar thing.....you'd be surprised how many people are diagnosed as bipolar who aren't. I worked at a psychiatric building some time ago for U of M, and was told it is the most misdiagnosed psychiatric condition. I read the 'symptoms' and thought to myself....shoot, that describes just about everyone at one time or another. It is a bunch of crap. Drug companies want everyone on some kind  of pill or another. Starting little kids as young as 2 (or younger!!) on Rx drugs. Yes, they want to make $$$billions and what better way then to get everyone hooked on mind altering drugs? Keep them living in some kind of limbo their whole lives. Well, wanted to wish you luck in life and to thank you for fighting for our country and our freedom.

WARNING: Before I tell you my situation, I want to warn anyone on here needing funds not to fall for scammers prowling these websites preying on needy people in financial distress. You may get an email from them saying they want to make a huge donation to you, but first, you have to cash a check they will send you, then wire some of it (as CASH) back to them via western union and keep the rest for yourself (the check MAY look authentic, but WILL in reality be a fraudulent check) Realize, ANY cash you send through western union will basically be untraceable because there will be a person on the receiving end with a fake ID to pick it up. They will collect the money and they...along with the monay....will disappear never to be seen again. YOU will then be responsible for the money the bank gave you when it is discovered the check YOU cashed is a fraud. I was the target of such a scam through the postal mail once and fortunately I am not stupid and knew it was a scam. I turned the letter and documentation over to the Postmaster General and the Mail Fraud division of the US government. This is ILLEGAL and a federal offense.

I have received numerous emails from people who apparently prowl Aidpage and other cyber begging sites. One such person wanted to 'donate' $950 to me and below is the content of the email from diana.littlefield@juno.com although these people have countless email addresses they change on an hourly basis no doubt, so you might receive one (or several) from a completely different email address.

Hello There,
    Hope all is well with you and your family. We will like to make a donation of $950 to you and we hope it helps in its own little way to cater for few of your needs. We both own our own sales business and we like assisting people around us because we dont know whose help we might need when we require one.

   We will have our financier make a check of $4,950 to you and you are to deduct $950 for yourself and help transfer the rest funds of $4,000 minus the transfer fee in the details of an orphanage home through western union money transfer to assist 2 young boys who require urgent heart transplant.We will forward you the information to send the rest funds to through western union as soon as you receive the check. We hope all goes well.       
 
  If you consider everything as stated above to be in good order and acceptable to you,email us your Full Names,Mailing Address and Telephone Number where to have a check made out to you for the donation and we can proceed.God be with you as we wait to read from you soon and do hope all goes well. We are only doing our best to help others in need.THIS IS NOT A SPAM OR SCAM EMAIL,SO LET YOUR MIND BE AT REST,OK.

Fred and Diana. 

 Trust me.....NO boys in need of heart transplants exist for the purpose of their letter...they are preying on your sympathy here. DO NOT fall for it or you WILL end up being responsible for the $1000's they are so willing to donate. Ask them to donate the money to you through Paypal or some other legal service. If they are indeed legitimate business owners as they state....it is not inconvenient nor impossible for them to donate by cash or credit card through paypal. And if they tell you "oh, there company does not have a Paypal account"....tell them they DON'T NEED one. All they have to do is fill in the info and use a credit card....they DO NOT have to set up a Paypal account. Thousands of people pay this way through Paypal without a Paypal account. also, ask yourself why they themselves cannot send a check to the 'orphanage' or whatever organization or fictitious person?? Why is it they need a middle man (you in this case) to cash a check for them and pay a TRANSACTION FEE on top of it???????? and THEN mail a portion of the money IN CASH THROUGH WESTERN UNION to the orphange home for them???? Hmmmmm....if it smells like a scam it most certainly is. So please PLEASE be wary. There are many unscrupulous people out there taking advantage of desperate people already in financial ruin. They are PREYING on your dire situation.

Now here is my story. PLease know 100% of any money you donate to our rescue is used for the animals.

 Due to losing my job (it was auto related and the Big 3 were major clients of the company) I am struggling to pay the bills (utilities etc) while still providing for all the animals in the rescue. They come first and unless I find another job soon, I may be forced to surrender them.

 There aren't any no-kill shelters here and I am afraid if they go to any other shelter, they will be put down. I also feed several feral and stray cats (who irresponsible people dump off here in the country) and now that it is winter, if they cannnot rely on me for food, I fear they may not make it through what is predicted to be a very bad winter.

 ALL donations will go to feeding the animals, any vet bills and helping to pay for the water, electricity and heat.

This is my fundraising page to generate some needed money for the care, vetting and feeding of the animals in my rescue. For a look at the animals you will be helping, there are photos of the animals in all current and expired fundraisers. Thank You so much!

(This Fundraise expired and has been removed)

 UPDATE: The above fundraiser has expired. I found work 1 week after being laid off. However we DO still need help with finding a used mobile home in order to move to another farm as this one we rent was sold. Please read our story and "adopt" an animal on our fundraiser page.

http://www.paintcreekrescue.org/id20.htm

http://www.paintcreekrescue.org

Our rescue receives donations at Paypal:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_send-money&nav=1.1

Our paypal account address where we receive donations is

paintcreekrescue@michigan.usa.com