After months of fundraising, the team now prepares to move to a bigger and better location!
By Rita Sharma, Best Friends Network, Volunteer News WriterDenkai was founded by Floss Blackburn four years ago. In that time, Denkai has provided assistance to more than 1,000 domestic animals. Currently 100 animals are in residence and many others are in foster homes.
Last month, Denkai rescued from euthanasia 40 puppy mill puppies and dogs from overpopulated shelters in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. They are seeking permanent homes and sponsorships for animals including llamas, dogs, goat, sheep, turkeys, cats, and equines including mules and horses. Denkai also is home to a young pig, “Miracle, ” whose back was broken due to an accident en route to an Iowa slaughterhouse. While Miracle is now pain-free, she is paralyzed from the hips down. She is enjoying her new friends at the sanctuary but will need even more care and attention; donations are always needed.
Important to note is that during the entire time of its operation, Denkai has run entirely debt-free, growing as donations have grown to allow and fund its efforts. Floss shared, “Everything we have has been donated, we have never been in the hole and a loan never taken against the sanctuary.”
Uranium mining forced Floss and her team to seek a new location. The by-products of this mining pose a risk to human and animal health. Denkai’s current location near Carr, CO is located within two miles of 10 test wells drilled to possibly become Uranium mine sites. The new location near Grover, CO permits ownership of the mineral rights, thus preventing any possible drilling.
More room for the team also means they they now have the space for a vet clinic. Currently Denkai has established relationships with local vets in the area to help support low-cost spay and neuter resources for low income residents in their area of the state.
Local news affiliates including 9 News and the Greeley Tribune have been sharing Denkai’s story and helping to spread the word of their efforts to the public. In addition to animal rescue efforts, Denkai also works with at-risk youth including Turning Point (Fort Collins) and Weld County Mentors (Greeley). The education of these youth helps them learn compassion for animals and fellow members of society in hopes that patterns of abuse can be reduced.
Now that the Grover land has been secured, the sanctuary needs help in the actual move. Trailers (flat-bed and horse) and pick-ups as well as volunteers’ time and energy top the list right now.
Please view the
Denkai Animal Sanctuary website , give them a call, and join in to help this unique sanctuary!
Photo Provided Courtesy of Floss Blackburn / Denkai Animal Sanctuary