June 2013
Dear Friends,
There isn’t a day that goes by at Spring Farm CARES in which we don’t look at the animals in our care and feel gratitude
and thanks to all of you who support this journey and mission we are on together. We want to share with you a few examples of the lives you have helped change, the magic you’ve helped create, and the hearts you have touched. Life is a big
circle, and what you give is always given back tenfold. We believe that because we see it here every day.
DANNY
We see it through the eyes of Danny, a precious beagle mix, not
yet one year old. Danny came to the attention of authorities after
he had been kicked down a flight of stairs by a man in front of his
young daughter, who then came to school crying. Danny was removed from the home, taken to a veterinarian, and we then took
custody of him, so that he could receive the advanced surgical
care needed -- for one of his back legs was seriously broken. His
spirit, however, was not broken, and his trust of, and love for, humans remained intact. Along with Danny, we sent good thoughts
to that little girl and to her family, that, along with Danny, they
might receive the help to heal.
It has taken two surgeries, but Danny is now fully recovered. He
has his whole life ahead of him. And the rest of the story is one
that will brighten your day. We don’t want to focus on the sad
past he came from. Instead we want you to see the healing that
you helped make happen. We want you to see firsthand the life
that Danny has found and what treasures he brings to another human family that has welcomed him into their home and
hearts. This family loves Danny beyond measure already. They
have committed to Danny in an amazing way -- as Danny needed
still another surgery after they adopted him.
“Our hearts are filled with pure joy, love and happiness. From the moment Danny got out of the
car, he knew he was at his forever home. I actually get tears in my eyes as I write this. I'm not
sure I remember the last time each of us felt so happy. My husband is like a little boy who finally
got his dog. Our 6-year-old daughter had a smile that just spoke a thousand happy words. Our
4-year-old daughter was skipping around the yard and house for hours as Danny followed only a
step behind her. Our 1-year-old son giggled with pure joy from all the doggy kisses. I'm not even
sure words can explain my feelings about today for myself...the best way I can explain it is that
it just all makes sense...there's a feeling of completeness...the emptiness is gone. Our family was
truly missing a member...Danny...and now he is here.”
Miranda arrived just as we were closing one very cold winter night.
MIRANDA
People had seen her for several days trying to get food out of a dumpster and realized this cat was not only starving but seemed to be injured. Someone cared enough to stop and pick her
up. The truth is that the good Samaritan who cared enough to stop at that moment probably saved her life. That night
the temperature plummeted to near zero. Miranda was emaciated and suffering from a very serious blow to the head
which was an older injury and had become very badly infected. We don’t know how Miranda got injured. Her injuries
are not consistent with being hit by a car, but she was hit by something. One eye was badly damaged and although we
fought to save it, the damage was just too great and the infection too deep.
She was not immediately strong enough for surgery as she was so emaciated.
But within a week, she had stabilized enough to do the surgery to remove the
eye. Miranda then came back to the farm where we cared for her, loved her,
nurtured her, and fell in love with her. What an amazing cat! After all she
had been through, Miranda still loved nothing more than sharing a moment
with people. All of us were thrilled for Miranda when she fully recovered
and then found her forever home.
Once again, you made the difference between dying - starving and alone on
a cold night – to enjoying the warmth and safety of a loving home. Thanks
to you, Miranda has a whole new life. She may have lost an eye, but she
never lost her vision.
annie & molly
Annie is a 23-year-old POA/Welch pony mare. Her story is not one of tragedy or neglect, but she
could no longer be ridden, and was in need of a home. As it just so happened, we were at that point
in need of a friend and guiding eyes for Molly, a blind pony who was having trouble coping with
the changes in her life, and with another problem as well -- which made the arrival of petite little
Annie especially welcome.
Molly had come to the farm a few months before. She was only 13 years old, had been a wonderful
school and show pony, and great jumper, who suddenly went blind. The show barn where she
was used as a school pony needed her out as soon as possible. Molly’s world as a useful and prized
pony literally shattered. Suddenly she had become a liability. Think of the difficult transition. She
Molly
abruptly lost her eyesight, then she lost her home. Worst of all, she lost her purpose, and she began
to be very depressed. On top of everything else, she was all alone here at SFC and couldn’t be turned out. Because, though we have
had other blind horses who buddied up with sighted horses and did very well when turned out, and though we had assumed that we
could pair Molly up with a sighted horse as well, it turned out that Molly was terrified of full-size horses! She had never been pastured
with anything other than ponies her own size. And now all around her were these huge, ominous brutes! Just in the nick of time,
then, in walked Annie.
Annie instantly understood that she was needed, and how very much she was needed. The immediate chemistry and recognition
between the two ponies was wonderful to witness – they were ready-made fast friends. And Annie takes her job acting as Molly’s eyes
very seriously. We think of Annie as a heroine, but Annie cares nothing for accolades. “I have the greatest
job in the world,” she tells us. “I get to be the best friend I could possibly be. What better gift could I give
and what better gift could I receive?”
Because of Annie, Molly is secure and happy in her new life. She is actually enjoying retirement. She loves
the farm and the people who care for her, loves to go out into the paddock with Annie, and constantly
shows her gratitude to have such a friend.
Annie
But there has been another miracle. A second blind horse ended up needing a new set of seeing eyes when
our dear Addie died. Addie had been the seeing eyes for TJ, a very large, blind Quarter Horse gelding. No
problem for Annie, she understood immediately and took right over. Reassured by Annie’s attitude, Molly
gracefully accepted TJ’s very large, but very gentle, horse presence. The three of them now get turned out
together. Annie keeps herself busy, drifting from one to the other as they graze, assuring her little herd of
two that all is well, that their beloved Annie, their precious set of eyes, is watching over them.
TAYLOR E
very year we are blessed with wonderful people who come and give of themselves - their time, their money,
or both – and we are grateful to all who do so. Many of our donors are
children who help either through their school classes, church groups, scout
troops or even individually, giving up their birthday gifts in lieu of donations for the animals instead. All of you touch our hearts and make a huge
impact on the animals you are helping. But one story stood out for us this
year that we want to share because it is a living example of how, when one
heart reaches out, it extends further than we can see.
Taylor’s mom was teaching her about Random Acts of Kindness and
chose the Spring Farm animals as the recipients of her project. Taylor
made homemade dog cookies and put together some toys for the cats and
brought them to the farm. Needless to say, the dogs and the cats were very
excited to receive her gifts. And we were all touched by the giving and compassionate heart who came and gave of
herself. We salute her mom, Sarah, for teaching such a powerful lesson of giving and compassion. When we placed
this photo and story on our Facebook page, it was viewed by over 45,000 people, many then sharing it on their own
pages and leaving comments for Taylor. One deed spread a whole lot of joy far and wide. And that is really what made
this an even more powerful lesson for Taylor. It wasn’t just the happy animals who received her sweet gifts, it was also
the hearts she touched and the example she was to others. We know that others, who saw what Taylor had done, were
inspired to do something on their own as well.
THANKS TO YOU....
At Spring Farm CARES we strive to focus on the positive side of the story and to turn our attention to the healing that
takes place and not on the tragedies that brought these animals to us. Focusing on the tragedy does nothing to help them
heal and move forward. While it is often difficult to move past our judgment and anger on these things, the animals
remind us every day that they themselves don’t dwell in anger and hatred. They simply ask the same from us. Many of
these animals do come from horrific situations. But this is about the hope and renewal and new life that they create.
This is what you do with your support. It is not just their story, or our story, but it is your story. We thank you from the
bottom of our hearts for your continued support. You made the difference for Danny, Miranda, and Annie and Molly,
and then TJ. You made the difference for Taylor who learned such a valuable lesson on giving. And because of you and
because of each of them, this story moves on in ways you may never know but that you’ll always be a part of. That is what
this mission is about. This is what your support means.
We ask you for your support once again. The yearly Operating Budget with which, in so many ways, a difference -- of life,
love, and hope -- is made for so many animals and for humans alike, is about $1.25 million. The difference is made not
just in our local community but for all who join with us from around the world, who share in the love and wisdom that
these animals have to impart and teach. This year we have a funding gap of about $150,000. We can tell you that every
penny you give goes directly to our programs and not into administrative or fundraising costs. Your gracious support will
continue to bring light to darkness, to touch hearts, change outcomes, and create better futures. And this will be the case
not only for the animals, but for the humans who come in contact with those animals and with their stories, for all of us
who have the honor of working with those animals, and for you – the ones who make it happen. Thank You!
3364 State Route 12, Clinton, NY 13323 / (315) 737-9339
[email protected] / www.springfarmcares.org
.... more thanks
Our first annual
Dan Delecese
Spring Farm CARES
5K Run/1 Mile Walk for the Animals
was a HUGE success!!
Joanne Hamoy
Thanks to all of you who participated in the 5K Run/1 mile Walk, you helped us raise approximately $9,000 for the
animals! We have a very special thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Dan Delecese who volunteered all of
his time, skill, and efforts to organize this event from start to finish. He worked on this for well over a year getting it
all set up. And another special mention to our Humane Education Director, Joanne Hamoy, who also put extraordinary effort and talent into putting this event together. Thank you Dan and Joanne! We also thank Mary Schreck
and Barbara Arcuri for all their time and help! Thank you to Staffworks and all our corporate sponsors, to you who
donated items for the event, and to those who volunteered your time to help. And thank you to all the runners and
walkers who made the whole day a complete success. We salute all of you! We hope to see you all again next year!
and Don’t miss this event!
Benefit for Spring Farm CARES Animal Sanctuary
Big Band Dining and Dancing with Floor Show!
Something for everyone, Retro or Swing
June 30, 2013/Rusty Rail Party House, Rte. 5, Canastota, NY
You'll dance to:
18-Pc. Salt City Jazz Collective Swing Band
Demonstration of Swing Dancing by Area Swing Dancers
You'll be entertained by:
JOHNNY CARLO IN CONCERT
Comedian John Carfi from Comedy Central
Full-Course Chicken Dinner
5:00 P.M.
Concert & Dancing
6:00 'til 10:00 P.M.
$42.00 Per Person (tax and gratuities included)
CASH BAR
Raffle and Chinese Auction
Tickets and information 737-0933 or
737-0423, Advance purchase only