Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2015)
8 Spring 2015 Applegater Sanctuary One announces exciting expansions in 2015 by WesTi haUghey Sanctuary One, a care farm in the Applegate Valley, knows that people, animals, and the earth are better together. When one is healed, all are healed, because we are interconnected. This mission will get a big boost in 2015 as the Sanctuary makes two great expansions. It’s rare to have a donor approach a nonprofit organization with 100 percent of the funds necessary to complete a project that the organization had only dreamed about. Luckily for Sanctuary One, that’s precisely what happened a few months ago. One year ago Kristina Driscoll, her son Wills, and goddaughter Alicia Theophil, rescued a stray cat, Astro, who tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV is in the same class as HIV and can cause weakening of a cat’s immune system. Kristina’s family educated themselves about FIV and learned that with proper diet and medical care, FIV- positive cats can lead healthy, normal lives. Unfortunately, when cats turn up FIV-positive in a shelter setting they are typically euthanized to reduce risk of transmission and medical costs, or to free up space for more adoptable cats. After working very hard to save Astro, Kristina, Wills, and Alicia felt compelled to become involved in the welfare of FIV- positive cats, and approached Sanctuary One about building a safe haven for these special felines. Part of the Sanctuary’s mission includes caring for animals that are neglected, abused, forgotten, or misunderstood, and building a facility to care for FIV-positive cats helps fulfill that mission. The “Wills Driscoll and Alicia Theophil FIV Cat Cottage” will complement the existing cat cottage at Sanctuary One, housing the FIV-positive and FIV-negative felines separately to ensure safe, comfortable conditions for both populations while eliminating the chance for the virus to spread. Because education is an important aspect of the Sanctuary’s mission, visitors will be able to meet the FIV-positive cats and learn about the many myths surrounding FIV. Another exciting change at Sanctuary One will be the expansion of the 35,000-square-foot organic permaculture garden. In 2014, the Sanctuary grew enough produce to host a booth at the Jacksonville Farmers Market, but the garden suffered From left to right: Kristina Driscoll, Wills Driscoll, and Alicia Theophil with Astro the cat. Intern carries bounty from Sanctuary One’s organic garden. serious damage after multiple invasions by hungry deer—a plight all too familiar to many valley residents. Although over the years the garden was transformed from barren, rocky earth to rich, vital soil, funding for permanent deer-proof fencing proved elusive. Finally, through a generous donation, the Sanctuary will not only be expanding the garden, but installing permanent deer fencing around the entire perimeter. Under the guidance of Sanctuary One staff, the garden will be tended by local school groups, including Ruch Elementary and Armadillo Technical Institute. Staff and volunteers expect to get their hands dirty and grow the greatest harvest in the Sanctuary’s history! But the new and exciting additions won’t truly be complete until they are shared with the community. Sanctuary One’s 2015 tour season will begin Saturday, April 25. Tours are offered every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 am. Those interested in taking a tour can call the Sanctuary to make a reservation at 541-899-8627 or visit sanctuaryone.org. Westi Haughey • 541-899-8627 Sanctuary One Board Member and Volunteer info@sanctuaryone.org Let our advertisers know that you saw their ad in the Applegater. Have you seen the Gater’s ONLINE CALENDAR? Check it out at www.applegater.org Send your events to gater@applegater.org— we’ll post them on our Facebook page too!
