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ST. MARYS, Ont. - The
animals that make it to the Pooles' farm are lucky. It's the animal version of
winning the lottery. Siobhan and her husband Pete Poole take in abandoned or
abused livestock at their small rural property about 20 kilometres southwest of
Stratford.
Today, the Pooles' rural
property is one of only three "farm animal sanctuaries" in Ontario. It's
composed of two acres of land, plus a rented barn and another two acres of
rented property, which they hope to buy some day.
"I love these animals,"
declares Siobhan. "I just love them to death, each and every one of
them."
Pete is a mechanical
engineer by day. During the week he's up and about doing farm chores by 6 a.m.
before leaving for work at a factory in Stratford. He admits there's never a
shortage of jobs to do when you keep a menagerie. (He had to redo their fencing
several times, until a neighbouring farmer showed him how to tighten the wire
between the posts so the goats couldn't keep pulling it down.)
The goats are also known
for stealing the tools from his belt and running off with them.
The Pooles spend about
$5,000 a year of their own money feeding and caring for the animals. It's money
they don't begrudge spending. "There are some real horror stories out there,"
says Pete. "If it weren't for places like this," adds Siobhan, "these animals
would have no place to go but the slaughterhouse."
The Pooles' sanctuary is
currently filled to capacity. While they consider the animals permanent
additions to their farm and therefore not available for adoption, they welcome
sponsorship. Sponsors are people who agree to cover the cost of feeding an
animal for a month, a year or indefinitely. |
