As I find myself halfway through another year I reflect on the twenty years Safe Haven has been around The exact number of animals that have come to the sanctuary since the beginning is incalculable. While all residents are more valuable than gold, some leave a mark on our hearts like no other. Every individual who visits finds a favorite resident at the Sanctuary. Whether it be the sassy, the noble, the friendly, the sad, the crippled, or the naughty one, everyone comes away with a favorite animal that they will always remember. Who’s your favorite? This newsletter's 'In Memory Of' section honors those sanctuary residents who have passed on As you read this newsletter I hope you remember a favorite llama or alpaca and smile Please keep that picture in your mind and heart even after you put this letter down, and let it fuel you to be a voice for the voiceless and a light for these divine creatures Keep reading to find out how you can best help us and our mission We couldn’t do this without you
6 Months In Review
JAN
4 people from Ravalli Services came and helped us feed and walk the llamas and alpacas FEB
We welcomed 2 new Board members: Matt Kinsey - Animal Care
Trisha Kinsey - Secretary
MARCH
Volunteers cleaned & organized the work shed, built and put up shelving
APRIL
Volunteers Rosie and Ron built a bridge for sanctuary residents to access more pastures
Farm visits start 2 residents joined the herd
MAY
Teller Youth Expo
Shearing begins
Welcomed board member Lynne Stauss - Animal Care, Events, Missoula Ambassador
JUNE
Selling poo Ranch visits
Cranial sacral therapy for animals
MEET KIORA
Kiora is a little 19-year-old Huacaya alpaca that has been with Safe Haven since 2010 She is quite the gal. A little bossy and sassy at times, a little queen with her gorgeous black curls Why is she at Safe Haven? She had problems with her birthing so the folks decided not to breed her anymore. Of course, no one wants an alpaca, even one with personality and as gorgeous as Kiora, that cannot make dollars. Well, she has been our top gal and rules the roost since she came to Safe Haven Very well-loved and an amazing public relations gal...still a beauty and not slowing down
Alpaca Highlight In Memory Of...
SAYING GOODBYE
Llama Highlight
MEET POWDER
Oh, our little Powder. She is almost a mini and was left by herself in open fields, lonely and sad. Powder was actually dumped here She was brought here as the previous owner was moving and could not keep her For a few years now she has had some arthritis develop in her left front knee and shoulder. What a girl, stands still and lets Char wrap it for her A few of her teeth are missing and she is showing her age but nothing stops her from keeping up with the herd. A winter coat was donated and fit her perfectly She gets yummy pellets with some meloxicam at times to make sure she is kept comfortable We love her and are so grateful she gets to spend the rest of her life with us
It has been a hard year here at Safe Haven This is the 3rd time that we ’ ve had so many older residents or ones with issues. We sometimes don’t know the background of the animals and some even get “dumped” here. Many have passed away on their own and sometimes we have to euthanize them There are always some that come in to take their place and help restore balance. We remember with love and fondness those who have passed RIP: Kenai, Sunni Jewel, Felicia, Moon Dust, Ruby, KurLee, Alladin, Feria, Deyonna.
Volunteer Spotlight
STACEY, ROSIE, RON, LYNNE
We have some awesome volunteers! STACEY has been volunteering for two years She comes 2x a week taking on the barn and shelter cleaning, feeding, bagging poo, and many other chores that need attention Starting in February we have two more volunteers, ROSIE and RON They also help with these chores as well as doing events Rosie and Ron built an incredible bridge for the llamas to easily access more pastures. LYNNE has been volunteering for two years at Safe Haven. She is from Missoula and has been helping Char with training, handling, walking, and is a fantastic help with events. Lynne is great with kids and invaluable at our educational events, showcasing the uses of llama/alpaca fiber, poo compost, and the many purposes llamas and alpacas are used for
Whats the Deal With Adoptions?
ADOPTIONS
Board Member Goodby
Our longtime Secretary Treas Paul will be retiring from our B of Directors this year Thank Paul for the many years on board and for all the work you done You are so appreciated will be greatly missed!
We have not advertised for adoptions for quite a few years. We are first and foremost a “sanctuary” where these wonderful animals receive compassionate care and everything they need to live out their lives to the fullest. Best of all, we love to educate people But in certain instances, we will move forward with an adoption only if the situation is just right Last October, two of our lady llamas Seneca and Snowbell were adopted by a wonderful couple in Florence who had received a llama from Char many years ago, named Mirage. He died of old age so they wanted to replace him. Seneca had been a guardian llama for about 5 years Snowbell needed a job and was always pushing others around We chose these two because it was a perfect home for them Seneca was totally in her element when we unloaded and she will be teaching Snowbell the ropes to being a guard Welcome home Snowbell and Seneca!
Adoptee Corner
TIMBER AND JUNIPER
Char met a couple that lived across the river from her They inherited Francesca, the first llama adopted from Safe Haven
Being new to llamas and “Fran” not having much handling in the past years, Char was called and had the privilege of training the Kinseys on how to work with Fran. Months passed, and the sanctuary decided to let them foster Juniper and Timber. The Kinseys had fallen for these two after paying us several visits. The situation was so perfect Safe Haven could not say no Timber is now a goat guardian along with Fran, and Juniper, being the beauty she is, just hangs out and enjoys her new home on their farm and the goings on Welcome home Timber and Juniper!
Why We Do What We Do
STORIES OF HOPE By
Char
The nine feral llamas that came to Safe Haven in Oct 2023 have learned a lot since coming here They now know what a barn/ shelter is, have lots of interaction with other alpacas and llamas, and are learning not to fear us humans At the same time, we found that several already had lots of human contact in their past young lives All but four (at this point) have been haltered, learning to lead, have been sheared and boy do they feel wonderful! The weight of the old fiber on them was a burden. In November we did lose one elderly female, and we have 2 that need eye/nose treatment every so often. These wonderful creatures whose presence we are so blessed with like quietness, gentleness, and peaceableness, as well as our patience. We are not in a hurry It's all about them and the joy they bring to so many visitors Please, consider donating to help with their long-term medical care and needs
We Almost Missed The Best Thing
BUILDING TRUST WITH A LLAMA
By Trisha
My husband and I met our first llama in our 40s (one of the first llamas adopted from Safe Haven) and realized we had inadvertently missed one of the most rewarding relationships we have ever known. We patiently attempted to win the heart of our llama We had all but given up hope that our rapport would go anywhere besides her eating snacks out of our hands Like a pitiful plateau of relationship stagnation, there was no forward progress We bought llama books and pored over the different pieces of training, attempted multiple methods of connecting with her, and were stumped Nothing was working Char met us 2 years into our llama journey With patience, care, and wisdom of the ages, Char helped train us (and our llama) Slow and steady, trust was built After 2 lessons with Char, the unthinkable happened Our Llama was haltered! She was gently caught and respectfully walked, and I’m quite certain our stoic llama may have even smiled while I was shedding tears of joy. Like Phil Collins said, “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life.” I am SO thankful for Char and the work that she does every day to make the world a better place for these creatures. Believing that every llama and alpaca is worthy of great love and connection while they walk this Earth is lifealtering to so many Thank you, Char
SAFE HAVEN LLAMA AND ALPACA SANCTUARY IS A REGISTERED MONTANA STATE NON-PROFIT, 501 (C)3 WE OPERATE ON DONATIONS SHLAS DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT THE IRS ALLOWS IN-KIND DONATIONS OF GOODS & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
TAX ID: 47-0955313
WAYS TO HELP:
Drop off funds at Cowpoke and have them put on our account
In-kind donation of goods and services
Financially support us -
WWW.SAFEHAVENLLAMAS.ORG DONATE AT:
RESCUING ABUSED, NEGLECTED, SURRENDERED & UNWANTED LLAMAS & ALPACAS SINCE 2005 780 OLD CORVALLIS ROAD CORVALLIS, MT 59828
