Lyric Farm

05/02/2025

Three of our valuable volunteers had birthdays within the last week! Please join me and the residents of The Refuge at Lyric Farm in wishing them a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
(If you’d like to be a volunteer, send us a PM! 😀)

31/01/2025

We use cameras in and around the barn to monitor the animals when cannot be with them in person. Sometimes we move them around to get better views of different areas, depending on the situation. We also use Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) to protect our residents in a predator-friendly manner. LGDs have a track record of being “order nerds” which means that they like things the way they like them, and don’t always adapt to changes very easily or without protest. I’m a little slow sometimes, I’ll admit, and don’t always read the nonverbal signs accurately the first (our second, or third…) time, but 4(!) different cameras and several years later, I think I finally figured out what Liberty (aka Libby) has been trying to tell me: she doesn’t like it when I move the cameras around on her side of the barn/paddock! Since I cannot add a video and a photo at the same time to a post, I’ll add a picture in the comments of this camera and how I finally kept her from carting it off and destroying it—all in an attempt to do her job and protect her precious charges here at The Refuge at Lyric Farm. Mind you, this attempt at removal came after I moved the camera a mere 6 inches from its previous location. Nothing gets past Libby! 🧐😂

29/01/2025

Llama Stuart enjoys one of the fresh wreaths that were donated to our residents. We’re so appreciative of the donations we receive!

25/01/2025

It was quite clear and cold last night, and going to and from my 2 am barn check, I looked up. What’s glorious sight! Here are two views of the spectacular sky over the farm, taken from two different locations. The constellation Orion is in both photos. Can you find him? Let us know in the comments! ✨🌌

24/01/2025

We received a donation of a Christmas tree and some wreaths last week. The animals LOVE them! Thank you so much!!

20/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EonKTJwh7/?mibextid=WC7FNe

16/12/2024

URGENT: WMRR has a rabbit who needs a ride from South Hadley to Angell-West ASAP (it’s 4:18 PM on Monday 12/16). He needs emergency dental. This would be a drop off. Please message us ASAP if you can help.

EDIT- It looks like we have a volunteer!

URGENT: We have a rabbit who needs a ride from South Hadley to Angell-West ASAP (it’s 4:18 PM on Monday 12/16). He needs emergency dental. This would be a drop off. Please message us ASAP if you can help.

14/12/2024

Some of our sheep ambassadors will be in Lancaster tonight. Come see us—and experience the Journey to Bethlehem! Tonight (Saturday, Dec 14) and tomorrow night (Sunday, Dec 15), 6:00-9:00pm at 34 Sawyer Street, South Lancaster, MA.

06/12/2024

It is Pet Suffocation Awareness Week.

Chip bags, snack bags, pet food bags, containers, and other plastic food packaging can risk suffocating your pet.
Most owners are unaware of the dangers typical household containers and food bags can have. Many of these food bags are made from mylar-like solid plastic material. When an animal sticks its head into the bag looking for yummy snacks, the bag can create a vacuum-like seal-- the more the pet breathes and panics, the more it tightens, cutting off oxygen. This happens within minutes.

As a pet owner, here are some ways you can keep your pets safe from suffocation (taken directly from preventsuffocation.com):
• Keep all chip/snack/pet food bags safely stored away from your pet.
• Tear or cut up all chip bags, food bags, and food packages after use.
• Put lids back on jars and containers when disposing of them.
• Store chips/snacks/pet food in resealable plastic containers.
• Serve chips and snacks in glass bowls or containers instead of in food bags.
• Keep all trash can lids tightly fastened, locked, or behind a cabinet.
• Keep the kitchen pantry door closed.
• Don’t store food bags on top of counters or appliances where a cat can easily reach by jumping.
• Don’t let your cats play with plastic bags or food cartons.
• Crate training your dogs keeps them safe from many risks while you're away.
• Check the house before leaving for any pet suffocation risks.
• Don’t store pet food bags in the garage.
• Check your vehicles for chip/snack/food bags and drink cups.
• Don’t leave your dog in the car alone with fast food bags, snack bags, or food and drink containers.
• Learn CPR for pets.
• Practice these guidelines whether you own a pet or not – it helps protect stray dogs, feral cats, and wildlife.
• Alert all your friends and family about the pet suffocation dangers of food bags.
• Teach your children not to leave snack bags and food in their backpacks or bedrooms.
• Educate dog walkers, pet sitters, and babysitters about pet suffocation prevention.
• Remind overnight guests not to leave food bags and snacks in their luggage or purses.
• Be extra vigilant during family and holiday gatherings.

We know the list is long, but it has been noted that between 2-3 pets lives are lost weekly in the U.S due to suffocation within a chip/snack bag. So it really is something to think about.

01/12/2024

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out today with a heavy heart and a hopeful ple… Jocelyn Young needs your support for Support Mr. Magoo's Life-Saving Surgery

20/11/2024

Please sign this petition to help the cats.

12/11/2024

Today is the day of Tempe’s mass removal. Please say a prayer for her and her veterinary team. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Also, if you’d like to help us out, we’re not quite to our fundraising goal to pay for this surgery. Checks can be made out to The Refuge at Lyric Farm (PM me for address to send it to), or contribute through our Facebook fundraiser, here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/521694684127840/?fundraiser_source=external_url

We cannot thank you enough for helping us help Tempe!

26/10/2024

Marian is looking for a home. Could YOU be her forever family?

You may remember Madigan. This little sweetheart was surrendered to us from a tough situation and we transported her to Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption Center, who was kind enough to take her in for us. It broke Maddie’s owner’s heart to give her up, but it was the best thing for her. She is a small, affectionate girl who lives for cuddles and wants to have a best friend to love her forever. Maddie has gone through a lot — she was found as a stray in Texas, then transferred to Rhode Island where she was adopted and lived in a home for several months before we brought her to Fast Friends. She is worried right now and looking for comfort. Going home will be another transition for her, so she needs a quiet home with a patient adopter that can help her feel more confident. Once she settles in, she will be the most adorable little shadow and you won’t be able to imagine how you lived without her!

* Interested in having Madigan join your pack? Head over to Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption Center and check out the adoption process and complete an application*

26/10/2024

Anyone??

Good evening, friends.

Tonight, we had an elderly equestrian whose health has started to fail ask us to help find a home for their beloved Medicine Hat paint. The owner has had a bad fall and broken their hip. They no longer have funds to pay for his care.

The gelding’s name is Van and he is about 24 years old. This is the write up we received.

“Unfortunately, at this writing I have to find my best friend a new home. My horse Van is a 16 hand Tennessee Walker who has been with me for 18 years laying out trails for the fall foliage ride and enjoying hunter paces. He is 24 years old, and I have been his only rider. He has great ground manners and is not afraid of much.

I have to find a new home for him as a companion horse. He is a trail horse, can endure light riding as he needs conditioning, has not been ridden much over the past 4 years and has Cushing’s so he gets hot rapidly. But he is always willing to go.

Van is a great ride for an experienced rider with a light hand. He is a forward moving fellow. That communicates thru leg and hand cues. He is well trained and trustworthy with the right person. Loves kids, friendly dogs and animals, a curious guy with personality.

He requires a limited/special diet and a lot of grooming /shearing as his hair grows profusely. Kinda like a llama.

Van needs a good home where he can get all the attention you can give him”

If any of our followers have room for this old boy to live out his days, or would be willing to donate funds so we can arrange temporary care at a boarding facility, it would bring great peace to his current owner. He’s an awesome boy and a gorgeous Medicine Hat, just like Misty. Please let me know if you’d be willing to help in any capacity and I will arrange communication between you and the current facility and owner.

Much Love,

Diego’s Friends ❤️