2020 2020 has come to a close and WHAT A YEAR it has been! We’ll start with a recap on our residents and then try to paint a picture of what our lives were like here at RASTA Sanctuary! Currently, our official RASTA family consists of 115 non-human animals and three human animals. Unofficially it also includes some incredible volunteers and all of you, our amazing supporters ❤️ The non-human contingent is made up of: 1 Cow 1 Steer 30 Pigs 4 Sheep 8 Goats 1 Miniature Horse 3 Donkeys 35 Hens 5 Roosters 15 Ducks 3 Geese 6 Turkeys....

A few words from RASTA’s Founder: This post may be controversial but I’m going to come right out and say it.  I have absolutely zero respect for animal rescue or sanctuary organizations that don’t speak out against animal abuse and exploitation.  Everyone who works in the animal rescue world knows full well that education is the most important tool we have when it comes to effecting any real change.  The fact is that we are never going to rescue our way out of the animal holocaust and overpopulation crisis, or the systematic cruelty and suffering that animals endure on a....

As a Sanctuary we are frequently asked to rescue new animals. We are often contacted by other rescue organizations, various shelters, SPCA’s and the public. The majority of the individuals who reach out to us do so on their own, or on behalf of a friend, or family member. Lately however, there has been a growing number of people sending us ads for animals that are for sale and either urging us to buy the animals to save them from certain death, or stating that they need help raising money to buy the animals themselves which they then wish to....

Today is Thanksgiving, a day when we pause to give thanks for all of the wonderful things we’re grateful for Despite the many challenges that we face as a farm sanctuary operating in a time when many people are not yet ready to extend their circle of compassion to include all animals, we still have an abundance of blessings to be grateful for. The following are a few that we’d like to share with you today. For starters, we’re thankful for the wonderful Island community of Chemainus and beyond which just 3 years ago warmly welcomed us to our new....

There are no such breeds as tea cup or micro pigs so please stop falling for the scam!  In the last 15 years or so we’ve seen a massive influx of so-called “mini pigs” which not long after purchase from shady breeders ended up in desperate need of re-homing.  As a result, the RASTA Sanctuary has rescued well over 100 of these former pets that literally had nowhere else to go.  Faced with certain death, the RASTA Sanctuary was the only hope for these grossly exploited animals for well over a decade. The excuses for not being able to keep....

As a rescue organization we’re often asked if we adopt out our animals and the short answer is no, we don’t. As a Sanctuary, our focus is to provide a forever home to the animals we rescue and to promote a kinder world through ongoing education and advocacy efforts. The long answer is there are actually many reasons that we choose not to adopt out our animals to the public, most of which have to do with considerations for their safety and well-being. However to better help explain our reasoning, the following are the 5 most important reasons why. The....

Times are changing and things are getting better for animals which is really great to see.  One area where things have changed tremendously is in the farm sanctuary world.  There are many new farm sanctuaries in existence today and the growing movement has gained a lot of popularity.  It’s wonderful to see so many people raising awareness for the animals but unfortunately there are some organizations and individuals with questionable motives and abilities. The term “rescue” is used rather loosely nowadays as it seems to be a common word among a lot of animal dealer types.  What was once reserved....

For those who don’t know RASTA’s history, the flying pig has a great deal of meaning to us because in many ways RASTA has been doing the impossible from day one.  From our initial start up in Alberta as the first and only Sanctuary for rescued farm animals almost 20 years ago, we pioneered the way for a strong farm Sanctuary movement in what some might refer to as the wild west of Canada. After 14 years of advocating for animals in Alberta we then relocated the Sanctuary and all of its residents over the Rocky Mountains and across the....

Here’s what you can do to make a difference: 1. Stop Eating Animals The single most effective thing that a person can do to help animals is to stop eating them and their other bodily secretions like milk and eggs. The simple fact is that the less animals that are used for food, the less suffering there will be. In this day and age there is no longer a need to consume animal products and thus going Vegan is the best way to eliminate animal suffering. For those who are ready to take the next step towards a life free....

Gone, but not forgotten.  Although the spirits of these animals have since left their physical bodies, their souls are eternal and the memories that we shared will never be forgotten.  Until we meet again, my friends and family.