The future is looking uncertain for a local animal rescue farm in Kelowna, but Kristen Leigh Fritz is determined to save her animals if possible.
Hoof Prints Barnyard opened in 2015 as an ethical petting zoo. They even brought “Goga,” or yoga with goats, to popularity.
However, Fritz, the owner and operator, says she quickly realized how many animals needed help, and for the past two seasons, it has been operating as an animal rescue facility.
Fritz says it is the only facility of its kind left in the area, and they work closely with the BC SPCA. If a farm is seized, Hoof Prints will often take in the rescues and care for them.
From chickens to horses to goats, they have all kinds of animals, but the cost to care for them has become too much. Fritz says they have more than 70 farm animals in their permanent care.
The farm is open to the public on Sundays, and Fritz says she likes to keep the price point low so that the joy of animals is accessible to all. However, the cost of feed, vet bills and maintenance is becoming too much, and Fritz says they are drowning.
The farm has had to turn down animals this winter, not due to space, but because the farm lacks the finances to care for them.
“It pulls on my heartstrings because I want to be able to do that but it’s just not sustainable for us to care for 70 animals with $5 admission,” Fritz adds.
It has been a difficult decision for the farm to make, but they need the community’s help if it’s going to stay alive. The facility has now set up a GoFundMe in hopes that the community will support their mission of helping animals in need.
“I know that people do have a place in their heart and they do think that it is an important mission to be able to help animals, as well as be able to have a place like this for themselves to come with their family and make memories.”
She says that asking for help is a hard thing to do, but it’s either that or they don’t exist anymore. The animals living there would need to be rehomed, and Fritz says it would be her hope and intention to find them good homes, but they are very much a family herd now.
“That’s a concern too because then what happens to all these animals we’ve brought in to save? It’s a very sad thing to consider,” she says. “I would hate to see them go to an auction kind of situation because a lot of them do end up going to consumption,” she says.
Hoof Prints Barnyard is inviting the community to come out on their scheduled public days to witness their contributions and efforts. The GoFundMe can be found here.
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