United Way Day of Caring at Sara’s Sanctuary Animal Rescue in Redmond
It’s not often that you see an emu loping freely alongside a miniature horse and a diminutive herd of lovingly sheared alpaca. But on September 12, 2008, for the annual United Way day of caring, more
than thirty volunteers from nearby Microsoft campuses came to work alongside these and nearly 200 other previously abused or injured animals, in a special place where these animals are cherished. The volunteers came, with their shovels, wheelbarrows, work gloves, and spirit of giving to Sara’s Sanctuary Animal Rescue a place of hope for animals that would otherwise be forgotten, living a life of pain or abuse, or not alive at all.
The volunteers worked under a clear and sunny September sky. Their efforts left the animal’s homes cozy and comfortable, the pastures free of poisonous weeds, and the volunteers with that good kind of tired that can only come from a hard day’s physical work.
The Sanctuary welcomes animals escaping all kinds of suffering. Whether it’s a blind pot bellied pig, a raggedy-tailed squirrel, an aviary full of exotic and domestic birds, or a gibbon ape, at any one time, — more than half of them with special needs from previous injuries — call the Sanctuary home.
Commented volunteer Philip Laub: “Part of what is so interesting is seeing the relationships between animals that would not ordinarily interact. At the Sanctuary, one of the pigs shares a 'room' in the barn with a kangaroo. And the pig has a television to watch, although they have to limit her TV time 
to encourage her to go outside. Where else are you going to see that?”
Sanctuary Director Terri Miner founded Sara’s Sanctuary Animal Rescue in 1998 (the Sanctuary formally became a non-profit in December of 2000). We asked Terri about why she decided to create this haven for abused and injured pets and wildlife:
“Sara’s Sanctuary began because of my passion - "For my love of animals". For too many years mankind has bred exotic, domestic, and even wildlife for our pleasure, without much regard for their well being. I believe we need to take responsibility for what we’ve created for our own self-good. To me this means the commitment of love and care that I think all creatures deserve. From the expensive exotics, to our wild life, to the battered little dove.
Sara’s Sanctuary Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and operates 100 percent on donations from kind and compassionate people. There are all kinds of animals at the Sanctuary, and a lot of 
them have endured unspeakable hardships. They will live at the Sanctuary for the rest of their natural lives. None of this would be possible without the financial contributions of the Sanctuary’s generous friends and supporters.
SARA'S SANCTUARY provides a safe haven for abused and disabled exotic wildlife, domestic farm animals and birds. Sara's Sanctuary is committed to protecting and rescuing animals from abuse, injury and neglect, by giving them the care they need, including an abundance of love, in their lifetime home. Our thriving family of animals is a testament to accomplishing our goal.
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!
