As we are getting closer to the Sanctuary's 20 year anniversary, it can offer the opportunity to reflect on my time since creating it. I've seen and experienced just about all that a life of rescue and sanctuary work can offer. It is truly a unique life and perspective from regular society. I have experienced every emotion possible from the sadness of losing a special feathered friend or losing a medical battle to the absolute joy of taking in an animal that truly needed a rescuer and a new lease in life and watch them get the spark back in their eyes and life. It is beyond rewarding to gain the trust and become a real friend to an animal that needed you. Through this work and our societal involvement, Kirah and I have known the best of people and unfortunately the worst as well and everything in between. Someday I will have to write a book but for now, I am excited to share where we are right now in life and work at the Sanctuary.

 

Currently, our bird population stands just shy of 200. A dozen birds with special needs live with us in the house receiving specialized and more intensive supervision and care. The remainder of our population live in the 6 large cage-free more natural themed aviaries, divided up based on capabilities, personality and risk to other birds. In total, we have 13,000 sq.ft. of avian buildings, however when determining year-round space, that number is cut in half because the residents remain in their indoor / insulated and heated sections much of the winter to keep warm. 

 

From the beginning, I have always stressed the importance of individuals and organizations to keep within their limits to prevent situations from becoming unmanageable or overwhelming. While this means having to say 'no' more than we would like, one must never forget that the priority is to the ones that you have already taken responsibility for - no matter the outside pressures occasionally received to take in 'just one more bird'. Admitting just one more bird can have negative effects on a flock if said bird(s) create chaos in a free-flight situation. You never quite know how a bird will react and interact with others until you do it. While many birds do great in a mixed flock, not all do, and we have been lied to plenty in regards to how well a bird does with other birds - then we are left trying to figure out where said bird can fit in. Crafting harmonious flocks of birds in captivity is a serious challenge at times and we must address situations as they are presented.

 

Birds, especially the larger species, can live a long time. A very long time in some cases. There are still many birds living here that I took in during the first years of creating the Sanctuary! Dozens of our current birds will continue to grow older with their human caregivers here. Some may even outlive us, which is why longevity and perpetuity of the Sanctuary is so important and always in the forefront of our minds. Bottom line is that we know our limits that we are comfortable with based on the workload and behavioral dynamics of the flocks. Staying around 200 individuals is imperative to maintaining a manageable situation. The purpose of me describing the Sanctuary as it stands today is to discuss what comes next.

 

Little did we know that when our new neighbors, Kim and Dave, moved in a few years ago that it would ultimately spark something new in our hearts. Kim's dream was to retire and build a horse farm, which she has done now after countless hours of barn, fencing and property improvements. She currently has 6 horses, all of which needed help and a home. From kill pens to ex-racers or other such situations, Kim has been there to give a new life to each one of them. We had always enjoyed visiting the farm, but this year was remarkable.

 

I fell in love with a horse. I didn't really look for it nor expect it. It just kind of happened. Leilani is a young once-wild mustang that lived out West in the beginning of her life. For those interested, BLM manages the wild mustangs and many are taken in to be given a home vs. the sad alternative. For nearly an hour when I first met her, I picked grass to hand feed to her and talked to her lovingly and began to work on trust and touch. For that time, nothing else existed. All my worries and problems and typical 'I need to go work on such and such' disappeared. It was just heartbeat to heartbeat and soul to soul. Now, every single visit to Leilani is magical in its own way. Kim, a very experienced horse trainer, continues to work with Leilani as well as the other horses in her care and we are grateful for the opportunity to spend time at her farm and learn from her.

 

I have had occasional experience with horses throughout my life from visiting farms with horses to riding trails on them. One of my favorite memories is riding a horse in Hawaii on the side of a windswept dormant volcano. A smile has always come over my face when I drive by a field with well-kept horses contently grazing. However, few may know that Kirah has always had a fascination and adoration for horses since being a little girl. Growing up visiting family in Nebraska with farms everywhere meant lots of horses to see and interact with. Her favorite aunt had horses. One of her favorite memories is riding a horse named Cliff who made the ride very interesting and laughable.  Quite a character from what I can tell.  Another favorite story she has shared with me is riding in Mexico for days at a time in the countryside.  I am sure in time, she'll expand on her own horse experiences with our readers.

 

This year we were recipients of a substantial and unexpected donation entrusting us to do one thing and one thing only with it - use it to help care for animals at our Sanctuary. After countless hours of discussion, a few sleepless nights and an incredible amount of reflecting on well - EVERYTHING... we have decided to build a barn on the Sanctuary's property and open our hearts and home to a very small and manageable number of Equine! This was in no way a decision made lightly as we take any animals decision very seriously. What comforts us is knowing that we have the support and guidance from Kim at Ohana Horse Farm. In addition, we have already been reaching out to horse rescues and sanctuaries in Central Virginia for more perspective and guidance. 

 

This week we are closing on a barn building contract and yes, we finally own a tractor here. Kirah will be delighted to share the progress and tractor stories. She's been 'chomping at the bit' to start writing about this new endeavor, waiting for me to make this announcement. I do want to take this opportunity to make some things very clear. No, we are not transitioning to becoming a 'horse rescue' - we'll leave that to the amazing and dedicated experienced folks who do have horse rescue organizations. No, this endeavor will not take a cent from the Sanctuary's bird funds. The number and types of birds we accept may be different than what we have done in the past but we do still consider actual rescue case intakes - that will never change and birds will always be a major part of us and this place!

 

We do have the incredible opportunity to add a beautiful barn, some pasture and love which will certainly change us and the landscape of this property for the better. We sincerely hope that you join us in our excitement to continue in our lifelong commitment and dedication to giving animals in need a place to live and be loved.

 

Matt Smith

Founder