JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Celestial Farms is a non-profit rescue for all types of animals, an educational center, a gardening resource, a campsite and an outlet for volunteers to get outside and relax during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the pandemic is threatening to shut it all down. The farm needs everything from animal feed to monetary donations so all the animals have a place to call home.
The farm, which has been operating for nine years, has hundreds of rescued animals, including free-range chickens and ducks that greet visitors at the entrance. The farm also has goats, cows, pigs, turkeys, and rabbits.
“"We have our sheep. Here we have an iguana, a tortoise, and a possum," said Victoria Pasciuto, director of Celestial Farms. “Blossom is a pony, and Sugar and Ginger, they’re our miniature horses."
All of the 200 rescue animals have a story.
“A lot of our animals were starvation cases," Pasciuto said. “He was abandoned in a pasture, so we got a call to come out and collect him. Like him, his owners didn’t know how to take care of him, so they brought him to us.”
The farm provide a valuable educational opportunity for people young and old.
“We definitely try to do a lot of educating as far as safety for animals and better humane practices for animals," Pasciuto said.
The home for the animals, many whom are neglected or abused, is in jeopardy.
“As long as this has been going on, it’s definitely made a big impact on our financial stability," Pasciuto said.
Pasciuto says the coronavirus pandemic has cut the rescue's budget by more than 75%.
“Since COVID, we’re having to separate everybody out, space out all of our families, and no big birthday parties, no field trips," Pasciuto said.
The rescue needs $50,00 by January, or the farm may have to close its doors forever. The feed alone costs $1,000 a month, so the farm needs gift cards to Tractor Supply, donations to Jacksonville Equine, monetary donations, leftover building materials, carrots, apples and volunteers to care for the animals.
“Yeah, we’re really nervous right now," Pasciuto said.
Click here for more information on the farm and see how you can get involved.