Home for Life: The Animal Sanctuary of St. Croix Valley
November 17, 2009This post is a bit different from my usual ones but it’s an important one. Thanks to another local photographer friend, Katie of Kage Imagery, I had the opportunity to spend two afternoons at Home for Life: The Animal Sanctuary of St. Croix Valley. Home for Life is a different kind of animal shelter in that it’s just that…their home for life. It houses animals that are unadoptable due to disability, temperament, age, health, etc.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for animals. Big time. I have a hard time volunteering for shelters because I want to take every animal home and it breaks my heart when I can’t. I thought Home For Life would be a good opportunity to volunteer because I’d be comforted by knowing that they did have a home (and also not be allowed to adopt anything!) To be honest, many of the animals arrived there in much worse shape than I had imagined. Paraplegic, missing eyes, tattered, abused. It was hard to see.
But all of these animals have a home and are being taken care of. And not just half-heartedly, either. The staff know the names of every single animal there (250) and the story behind each one. The animals have couches and beds and baskets and cubbies and yards and wheels to replace missing legs.
And that is pretty cool.
Home for Life depends on donations. The animals below are have sponsors but many of the animals there do not. You can sponsor an animal, donate time and skills, or a variety of other things. Go to the Home for Life website and click on the How to Help tab for details.
Because look at these faces…
.K posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 7:08 pm.
These are really great, MK.
Becky posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 7:16 pm.
Great pics! Some of those faces really kill me.
Betsy posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 7:19 pm.
Oh my god – I love these!!! How FUN was this day?
stalker posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 7:41 pm.
i am exactly like you when it comes to animals. i’m in tears. they’re such beautiful animals. how could you not love those faces!
LK posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 9:06 pm.
These made me cry – not out of sadness, but because they’re such beautiful photos!
Rachel Clare posted the following on November 17, 2009 at 9:22 pm.
Such a great post MK- that first dog with the “wheelchair”- I want it, bad. Good for you for photographing these lovely creatures!
Michelle posted the following on November 18, 2009 at 8:14 am.
All of these images are very touching and beautiful. How wonderful of you to volunteer for such a great organization!
tara k posted the following on November 19, 2009 at 1:39 pm.
these are truly incredible, my friend… heartbreaking, inspiring and real. i could feel the personality of each one of these gorgeous and loving creatures. SO glad you’re doing this!