APPLE HILL, Ontario – Pot-bellied pigs quickly gathered as bread was flung to them during the Pig Feeding Frenzy at Bee Meadow Farm on Saturday, June 16. This was the rescue farm’s second annual fundraiser, and last year $6,500 was raised to support the adopted and foster animals.
The fundraiser was held from 1 to 4 p.m. and it included a high-energy Pig Feeding Frenzy, face painting, an animal photo booth, pony rides, as well as a silent auction and a raffle. The event encouraged participants to donate to the farm or sponsor an animal. Natalie Rowe, who runs the farm, hopes that this year’s event will fund recent veterinary bills. The farm is supported by Rowe and her husband, as well as donations.
“We have this open house every year now so the public can see what’s going on and come to enjoy the animals,” said Rowe. “We hope to inspire people to have some compassion for animals and if they want to help out they can. It’s just a nice day to ride the ponies or feed the pigs.”
Rowe’s rescue started five years ago when the OSPCA asked if she would foster a pregnant pot-bellied pig. Now her farm has grown to house several pigs, goats, ponies, chickens and cats. Currently Rowe owns 17 cats and is fostering 12 cats who are up for adoption. A lot of the cats who have come through her farm are from Cornwall and Rowe volunteers with various local OSPCA locations.
Rowe is thankful for the support that the farm has received on social media. She said that two of her kittens will soon be adopted by a pastry chef from Toronto, and the connection would have never been made if it wasn’t for Twitter. She is also thankful for the support of everyone who attended the Bee Meadow Farm day and hopes to see participants at Goat Yoga in August.
“Being connected to nature is a huge part of healing to me,” said Pierre Quenneville, who attended the event. “Being around animals is a really healing thing, just seeing them like this. So supporting something like this, to me is important.”
To find out more about Bee Meadow Farm, visit the website www.beemeadowfarm.com or Bee Meadow Farm on Facebook.
