Cool summer and no fall means tough times for southern Alberta animal sanctuary
The Alice Sanctuary had to winterize earlier than usual, meaning they missed out on revenue
A haven for rescued farm animals in southern Alberta is struggling after less than stellar summer weather was followed by sudden winter-like conditions.
Smoke from forest fires in B.C. and southwestern Alberta, coupled with milder than normal temperatures during the summer months meant a downturn in revenues for the Alice Sanctuary — about 60 kilometres northeast of Calgary.
Staff at the volunteer-run organization were hoping to make up for that in the fall but the recent wallop of winter-like weather forced them to begin shutting down for the season a few weeks ahead of schedule, meaning they'll miss out on much-needed revenue from tours and fundraising events.
"September is supposed to be our tour time and event time," said sanctuary founder Janneane Madill.
"We had to take that away because we knew that the weather was shifting pretty fast, so we weren't able to raise … what we would normally do. Last year we went right into October with events and there's no way we could do that this year."
The organization is described online as a not-for-profit, interactive sanctuary for rescued farm animals.
And the recent snow has also made it difficult for them to source enough straw to keep those animals warm.
"We were in a jam. We were definitely in a pickle with that because bedding is so important going into winter," said Madill.
"Our temperatures will dip really low and if we don't have proper bedding, these guys could fall ill and that's the kind of stuff we want to negate."
The group put out a plea for more straw on social media this week, and they were able to find some, but they're still in need of financial support due to ever-increasing feed costs.
"This year because nobody was getting enough hay off their fields, well those prices go up. And we have to be able to pay for those prices," said Madill. "That's why we're kind of at a low at this point. Because last year a square bale ... would have been $8, this year they're $12."
The next step, said Madill, is making it through winter.
"Eight months of it," she said.
"I think what we need to do right now is we just buckle in and tend to every single day, facing all the challenges, and right now funding is the big thing."
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With files from Anis Heydari