By Mark Esper
SEQUIM — Critterhaven Sanctuary has helped provide a safe, loving environment for animals in need for eight years.
Dozens of horses, goats, potbellied pigs, donkeys, ducks, chickens, iguanas, parrots, cats and dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or abused have found shelter at the small farm southwest of Sequim.
But now, Critterhaven itself needs help — urgently.
Wet weather this fall has created a muddy situation on the sanctuary’s flat land in the Dungeness River plain.
Critterhaven is in need of a loader or backhoe for land maintenance, mud and manure management, and burials.
“We’ve got an old 1953 Massey-Ferguson tractor that does OK, but it doesn’t have any bucket on it to move rocks or mud,” co-founder Bob Bashaw said.
A backhoe may be among the sanctuary’s most urgent needs, but Bashaw also worries about dwindling donations as Hurricane Katrina and other disasters have led to “donor fatigue.”
Animal population grows
Critterhaven was formed in 1997, when Bashaw and his wife, Susan Stahlin, bought a 3.68-acre microfarm in the Dungeness River valley.
A neighbor lets the sanctuary use an additional 3.3 acres.
But the number of animals at the sanctuary keeps growing. About 160 critters are currently sheltered there, up about 20 in just the last year.
Meanwhile, the sanctuary’s expenses keep increasing.
Bashaw estimates hay bills alone amount to some $1,400 a month.
And the early arrival of winter-like weather has Bashaw even more worried.
“We’re getting pretty desperate,” Bashaw said.
“Now that the cold has hit early, we’re getting a little panicky. We absolutely need help.”
How you can help
TO MAKE A donation or volunteer to help Critterhaven Sanctuary, call Critterhaven at 360-683-4681 or e-mail critterhaven@olympus.net.
Critterhaven is a registered nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible.
Peninsula Daily News