After 14 years of rescuing animals and helping people throughout the community, Mel’s Farm All Animal Rescue officially ended its rescue operations Sept. 1.
Young plans to spend the next year developing a new organization focused on spay-neuter initiatives, education and financial assistance for veterinary care.
The organization will continue as a sanctuary and support the 17 animals already in its care. Founder Mel Young said seven sanctuary animals live at her home, while the others are part of the Forever Foster program and live with families throughout Lanark County.
Mel’s Farm continues to cover the fostered animals’ needs, including food, toys, accessories and veterinary bills, while the Forever Foster families provide their day-to-day care.
“Our hearts and heads are exhausted,” Young said in an exclusive interview with Hometown News on Aug. 27. “Our whole entire being revolves around animals.”
Young said the decision comes after 14 years devoted to animals in need and the people who care about them.
“Honestly, there are so many animals and people we have helped in so many different ways,” she said.
Young estimates the organization has helped at least 1,000 animals and people in one way or another, although she would have to review 14 years of records to determine the exact number.
“I will have to dig out all our banker boxes full of records,” she said. “Yes, I’m old-fashioned.”
Many adopters remain in touch years after bringing an animal home, sharing photographs and updates with the rescue.
“Probably 95 per cent of them continue to reach out with photos and stories,” Young said. “Most happy stories, some sad.”
Rescue requests ended Sept. 1
As of Sept. 1, Mel’s Farm is no longer accepting rescue requests. Young said she is asking people not to contact her about animals needing help or new homes while she takes a break from rescue work.
“As soon as I hear about it or read about it, then I’m done, and I need a break,” she said.
Although regular rescue operations are ending, Mel’s Farm may occasionally help rehome an animal. One dog may become available for adoption in approximately one month, but that has not been confirmed.
Fundraising will continue to help cover food, veterinary care and other expenses for the animals. However, Mel’s Farm intends to maintain a lower public profile during the coming year.
“We are going to continue to fundraise, but are going to lay low as much as possible,” Young said. “We definitely have to continue fundraising” for those in foster care and the sanctuary program.
A decade with LAWS
Young’s involvement in animal welfare predates Mel’s Farm.
She said she spent 10 years with the Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS), including eight years on its board of directors and two years employed as the Lanark County Animal Advocate.
Young said she trained and apprenticed for a year before taking on the advocate role. At the time, she said LAWS chose not to use the title “SPCA cruelty investigator,” preferring what she described as a gentler approach to the position.
A community effort
Young said Mel’s Farm could not have continued its work for 14 years without its volunteers, donors, veterinary professionals, foster families, adopters and community partners.
“We couldn’t have done all this without the support of our fabulous community,” she said. “We couldn’t have done all of this without all our volunteers. A big thanks to everyone.”
Young credited Blueberry Creek Veterinary Hospital and its team with providing care for the rescue’s animals over the years.
“Blueberry Creek vet has been our go-to, and we honestly couldn’t have done it without them and their team,” she said.
She also thanked Diana Mallory for helping the rescue reduce its outstanding veterinary bills. Mallory is often spotted in Rideau Ferry with her Mel’s Farm tables set up with goods for sale and has also held sales at her home near Perth.
“Diana sure has been an incredible help with knocking down our vet bills,” Young said.
Mel’s Farm has also worked with Sarah Hogg and Steven Jorens at Sweet Sanctuary in Mississippi Mills, Angel Cleroux at Nakoma Rescue and Cindy Draper of TNT Dogs Unleashed.
Young described Draper as one of the rescue’s most significant contributors, providing training, advice and boarding. She also thanked Jim and Judy Stewart and Kat Durant for their support over the years.
She made special mention of Allison Pickering of Just Like Home Doggie Daycare in Portland.
“There are just so many people,” Young said.
Young said she does not believe animal charities should view one another as competitors.
“We are all in it for the same reason,” she said, describing the drive to help animals as a passion, or, as she jokingly calls it, “a curse.”
A new direction
Young plans to spend approximately one year resting, regrouping and developing a new organization focused on spay-neuter initiatives, educational programming and financial assistance for veterinary care.
The organization will have a completely different name, with no reference to Young. Its structure and programming are still being developed.
“The new organization is in the works, so nothing is concrete until we finalize everything, which will take a good year to do it right,” Young said.
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