29/10/2026
Yesterday, I made a post pleading for help. Our social media has been a bit less active lately, and it’s not for lack of anything happening because it’s been a bit overwhelming recently.
We have a wonderful small team of staff here, but I think every nonprofit knows what I mean when I say this year in particular has felt like a financial whirlpool as we all fight to keep our distance from the drain.
To remain steadfast in our commitments to the 50+ sanctuary mules who will live here forever, the ones who are being rehabilitated, the dozens headed towards adoption, and the hundreds already adopted who sometimes have to be returned… it all takes money. Spending money and asking for money becomes exhausting in itself for a rescue. Oftentimes you either feel like you’re asking too much, or not enough. Sometimes your supporters are able to rally and knock the goal out of the park, and other times you’ll have to make do with a much tighter budget.
You also can’t predict every expense, and many of those surprise expenses are non-optional — you can’t simply say no to things like an emergency vet call for a colic, fixing a leaky underground pipe, repairing a tractor, or accepting a returned adoption just because your budget is tighter than usual.
Despite it all, you hope to not only continue doing business as usual, but to keep future dreams about expanding the organizations mission in reach. But economically uncertain years like 2026 are consumed by just figuring how to stay afloat without drastically reducing your capacity.
Yesterday’s post was quickly answered with a total so far today of $11,939 in donations, and for that I just don’t have the words to adequately express the gratitude and relief this has provided to our Refuge. One angel donor in particular gifted $10,000, and the rest is comprised of those who have given all that they can, who hoped it would add up with the help of other donors to make the difference.
It will cover all of our upcoming transport and 30 days of training/care expenses for 3 surrenders, 4 returned adoptions, and 5 mules headed to training, and $1,600/$5,000 of our hay bill for 47 roundbales due on the 31st. It means we can keep pushing to finish the year out strong with 11,939 less pounds on our backs. 🥹💙
Because my words simply fall short, here’s a video of several LMMR mule faces taken today who also want to say thank you. 💙
