May 2012 Vegan Meetup at Sunrise Sanctuary!

Hello and Happy Spring!!

For the month of May, I am very excited to once again visit (http://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/index.html)Sunrise Sanctuary (http://sunrisesanctuary.org/default.aspx), where we'll visit and frolic with a host of characters including Chloe, Oscar, Julie, Larry and Beatrice (all pot belly pigs), Wesley the cow, George and Gracie the llamas, Roscoe the donkey, and an assortment of ducks, cats, dogs, rabbits, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and others. This is such a wonderful event for a fantastic cause!

From the Sunrise Sanctuary website

Sunrise Sanctuary is a non-profit animal rescue organization dependent on donations and volunteers.

Sunrise is open to the public. We provide a permanent shelter for OVER 170 animals; giving loving, knowledgeable and quality care for previously abused, neglected, disabled, and unwanted animals.

We are located just west of Dublin, OH.

About Mindy Mallet:

Mindy is the original heart and soul of Sunrise Sanctuary.

She created the sanctuary to give these animals a place to be accepted and loved. Mindy cares for the animals on a daily basis; giving healthy foods, fresh water, ensures they all have proper vet care, and lots of love. She knows and respects each animals personality.

She does a lot of rescue work, which gives the animals an opportunity to get out of inhumane and miserable treatment, and many times, an upcoming horrible and painful death. Recently, she welcomed two sweet and scrawny chickens. They are now healthy and socializing with the other animals. Let's not forget the two chinchillas named Diamond Lil and Twinkle Toes.

A few months ago, she noticed baby ducks following a very confused rooster. No Mama to be found, so the ducklings were raised in the animal nursery, and they are growing beautifully.

One big happy furry and feathered family.

You will find Mindy has an aversion to cages. Sunrise animals are free to roam, bask in the sun, cuddle into the straw, slop through a puddle, and sleep as long as they want to. After all, they have earned it.

The Lowdown

Please arrive at Sunrise Sanctuary between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Parking will be available on either side of the driveway, outside of the closed gate. Lunch will begin at noon, and I ask that everyone bring the following:

1.) A vegan dish to pass, accompanied by its name and list of ingredients, as well as serving utensils. Your contribution does not have to be homemade. I only require that it be vegan and have an available ingredients list.

Note: For those who are not vegan or are new and still exploring/learning, this is a gentle reminder that your culinary offering should be void of all animal-derived products. The following is a good resource: http://www.vegfamily.com/lists/animal-ingredients.htm . Please contact me if you have any questions.

2.) When you RSVP, please note what you're bringing in the comment box, and whether or not you have a folding card table which can be used for the food.

3.) A place setting for yourself and each guest you bring.

This includes plates, bowls, eating utensils, drinking cups, napkins... whatever you think you'll need.

4.) Beverages. Bring plenty to drink... a cooler is recommended if you have one.

5.) Seating. Lawn chairs and/or blankets.

After allowing approximately one (1) hour or so for lunch, the remainder of our visit will consist of meeting/feeding the animals and, for those interested, volunteering to perform tasks as needed. Jobs may include the following:

Cleaning out barns and stalls

Filling troughs with fresh water

Grooming the animals

Socializing and loving the animals (my favorite part!)

6.) Attire: Grubby clothes and shoes... we're gonna get dirty. Optional, but recommended: A hat with a brim or visor, sunglasses, sunscreen, and gardening-type gloves for hand protection.

7.) CAMERAS! :)

Donations

Sunrise is always in need of food and supplies, and any contributions you are able to make will be most appreciated. If you wish to make a monetary donation, information can be found here:

http://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/make-a-donation.html

*Note: 100% of your donations are tax-deductible and go toward the care of the animals.

Please feel free to bring food to feed the animals during our visit.

Favorites are oats, apples, carrots, romaine lettuce, whole wheat bread, wet and dry cat food, and cracked corn (typically found in stores with a bird food section). Llama and rabbit food, as well as sweet feed can be obtained from Tractor Supply Co. in Marysville: (http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreLocatorSearchView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&strId=437) http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreLocatorSearchView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&strId=437 or other specialty feed stores.

At the end of the event, it will be each person's responsibility to clean up after him/herself.

Any food left behind will be fed to the animals. All recyclables will be collected and properly disposed of.

I look forward to sharing the day with you, the fine folks at Sunrise Sanctuary, and the animals!

Hope to see you there!

Jennifer