An interview with Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary from San Luis Obispo, California.
Table Of Content
- Introducing Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary
- Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Has Ever Taken.
- Tell Us More About The Volunteers In Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary
- Tell Us More About Your Events
- What Would You Say Has Been The Most Rewarding Part Of Running An Animal Shelter?
- Where Do Most Of The Animals In Your Shelter Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?
- What Are The Busiest Periods And How Does Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Cope?
- What Animals Does Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Focus On?
- Working With The Local Community
- What Is Done Differently At Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary?
- How Has Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?
- Share With Us Some Of The Heartwarming Stories Of Animals Rehabilitated And Rehomed By Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary.
- What Are The Help Needed From The Local Community?
- Connect With Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary here:
Introducing Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary
My name is Diane Dieterich, and I am the founder and Executive Director of Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary. I was rescuing animals out of my suburban home and was getting involved in more frequent farm animal rescues. It seemed that there were some great organizations that helped companion animals, but there was very little help available for farm animals in need. Since I couldn’t keep farm animals in my backyard, I founded Greener Pastures and found a place with a barn where I could help farm animals whose lives were in jeopardy. This didn’t happen overnight. I held fundraisers and worked to educate people about farm animals. Most people think of them as commodities, egg machines, or burgers, but these animals are unique individuals, just as sentient as dogs and cats.
Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Has Ever Taken.
Our most unusual animal was a peacock. He was getting picked on by the other more mature peacocks, and his owner was afraid for his safety.
Tell Us More About The Volunteers In Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary
We have several retired folks who love animals and want to give back. They are consistent and reliable and go above and beyond whenever it is needed. We truly appreciate these awesome volunteers!
Tell Us More About Your Events
Our most unique fundraiser was called “80’s For Animals”. We had great decorations, including a DeLorean parked outside with actors playing Marty McFly and Doc Brown greeting the attendees. We had a costume contest, 80’s TV commercials playing in the background, a DJ, and lots of props and decorations. It was really fun! We are currently raising money to build a pond for our waterfowl. Tune in for updates on our upcoming Tour Days this summer!
What Would You Say Has Been The Most Rewarding Part Of Running An Animal Shelter?
Our biggest reward comes when we see an animal who was mistrusting and terrified settle in and realize they are safe. Then we get to see their unique and often quirky personalities blossom. It’s beautiful to see!
Where Do Most Of The Animals In Your Shelter Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?
Our animals come from all over the country. Usually, people reach out to us when they know of an animal in peril. We take each situation very seriously and evaluate if we have the space and resources to provide the best care for that animal.
We have hens from Utah, where they were rescued from the egg industry. Egg-laying hens are typically killed for being past their prime at only 2 years old. They could live to 6 or more!
We have sheep surrendered by students in the Future Farmers of America program. The animal is raised essentially as a pet and then shown at the county fair, where they are sold for slaughter.
We have a family of horses saved from a kill pen in Oklahoma where they were going to be slaughtered for meat.
We have animals that were found abandoned, turkeys saved from the meat industry, chickens, and a rabbit whose owners were terminally ill.
What Are The Busiest Periods And How Does Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Cope?
We’re always busy! Springtime is when babies are being born, so summer and fall can be a little busier with calls from people wanting to surrender them. We do our best, but we’re limited in space and can’t accept every animal.
What Animals Does Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Focus On?
We rescue farm animals because there is a huge need that isn’t being met.
Working with traumatized farm animals can be disheartening. They have been through so much by the time they arrive here. They have no reason to trust humans and every reason to fear us. We are patient, quiet, and calm around them to lessen their stress. We spend time simply sitting nearby so they get used to us and see that we aren’t a threat and that we don’t want anything from them. When they relax, which could be months or sometimes years, that is the reward! It’s definitely no fun if we’re getting kicked or bitten, but we remember that they are here to heal from their past, which is what caused them to act out of fear in the first place.
Working With The Local Community
We do stay in contact with other local sanctuaries. We share information and protocols that can be lifesaving (such as the Avian Flu) and share resources if there’s a particular situation that we can help another sanctuary with.
What Is Done Differently At Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary?
We offer Tour Days in the summer, where people can visit the sanctuary and meet the animals up close and hear their stories of courage, triumph, and forgiveness from docents who work with them regularly. Children learn that even though we all look different on the outside, on the inside, we’re all the same, and they have the opportunity to expand their empathy for all living things. They take these lessons home to their family and friends and help create a kinder community.
How Has Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?
Because of the pandemic, we had to change our fundraising strategies. We couldn’t hold in-person events and had to shift our focus to online fundraising. We began offering “conFURence Calls” where we gave live virtual tours and educational programs. Volunteers masked up even though we worked with the animals outdoors. It has been very difficult for us to navigate through such challenges. However, the animals’ well-being remained our top priority, and they continued to receive the very best care possible.
Dinkey’s Story
When we first got the call about Dinkey in 2019, we knew we had to help. A potbelly pig was going to be euthanized after a family surrendered her to a shelter during a wildfire. It was the shelter’s decision to euthanize them based on her appearance. There was no history or information on her. No age, name, or weight. (We named her “Dinkey” after Dinkey Creek, which explains the spelling.)
When Dinkey first arrived at Greener Pastures, we were shocked at what we saw. She weighed in at nearly 300 lbs- more than double the weight she should have been! Dinkey was miserable with second and third-degree burns, arthritis, obesity, fat blindness, depression, confusion, and fear. We quickly had her seen by a vet and put her on a healthy diet of soaked mini pig pellets, vitamins, and fresh mixed greens and vegetables. The vet said weight loss alone would not help Dinkey see again that she needed a “facelift” procedure done at U.C. Davis in Northern California.
Over time Dinkey became healthier and more mobile, yet still had a fat “roll” over her eyes inhibiting her vision. She was beginning to look better but was still timid about venturing out of her stall. She slept in her crate under blankets all day and only came out only for meals. No matter how much we tried to coax her, she would not go outside onto the grass in the sunshine.
Finally, after losing 130 lbs over 15 months, we knew it was time for a trip to Davis to see if Dinkey was a good candidate for the life-changing surgery that would give her confidence back. We began fundraising on social media and reached our goal in just 2 days! We were ecstatic and scheduled her trip for the following week. With a 5 hour-long drive for the medical exam, we arrived hopeful and prepared to leave her for the tentative surgery and recovery a few days afterward. The only issue was that Dinkey was so terrified of the new smells and surroundings of the university hospital that she became agitated and would not allow an exam. New plan. We agreed to allow her to be sedated the following day for an exam, and if she looked healthy, surgery would follow immediately. If she was not a good candidate, I had another 10-hour roundtrip to retrieve her and a lot of disappointment ahead.
After a restless night, we waited for the call. At eleven AM, I couldn’t wait any longer and called UC Davis myself. “Yes, she is healthy and strong, a good candidate for surgery! We will be starting her surgery now.” After warnings that there is always a risk involved with the surgery and promising to call immediately afterward, we anxiously waited. At 3:30 pm, the call came that the surgery went “Magnificently!” We were beyond relieved. Finally, our precious friend would return home with a brand new lease on life.
Upon returning home, I knew she was changed the moment she first entered her stall. She walked directly to her water bowl without bumping into anything and had a nice long drink. SHE COULD SEE! I bent down to look into her beautiful eyes for the first time and actually saw her blink. It was magical! She even followed me around the stall. A dream come true for all of us and a new life for Dinkey.
The “facelift” surgery has indeed opened a whole new world for Dinkey. Since surgery, she has continued to lose weight and is now at a slim 110 lbs. We have seen her walking around the barn, meandering up the long driveway, basking in sunshine outside, looking for food crumbs in the office, exploring the pastures while nibbling grass, running(!) down the barn at dinner time, and meeting the other farm animals for the very first time! Her confidence has increased immensely, and she is actively exploring her world rather than sleeping in her crate all day. Dinkey now has the opportunity to THRIVE. We couldn’t be happier for her.
Dinkey has recently developed a close friendship with Kip, our cat who lives in the barn. Kip wouldn’t come near anyone until he saw that Dinkey trusted us. She helped Kip heal from his past, and he has become very trusting and affectionate with us too! Since Dinkey is an older gal who has been through so much, she will spend the rest of her days at Greener Pastures.
What Are The Help Needed From The Local Community?
We always need volunteer help and monetary donations to help with the expenses involved with running a nonprofit animal sanctuary- such as feeding, veterinary visits, hoof trimming, and supplies. Supporters can also help our rescued residents by sending in-kind donations from our wishlists on Amazon and Chewy:
Chewy: https://www.chewy.com/g/greener-pastures-farm-sanctuary-of-san-luis-obispo_b64056326
Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/13YREBLTUD66I/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl
The number one thing we need from the community is for people to be responsible animal owners. Farm animals, like companion animals, need shelter, healthy food, fresh water daily, and medical care. If they can no longer care for their animals, we ask that they find a new loving home instead of abandoning them or neglecting them.
Connect With Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary here:
Phone: (805)704-7327
Website: www.GreenerPasturesSanctuary.org
Wondrousdrifter.com is thankful to Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary for the interview.
Check out this page for the list of animal shelters in San Luis Obispo, California.
