27/11/2024
Three years ago, Jay and Mandy Dutter fell in love with a little piece of land in Hastings. Just one year later, their lives were forever changed when their son Ethan died in an automobile accident.
Ethan had always been a huge animal lover (especially dogs), and Jay and Mandy hoped that having animals around might help them begin to heal. Mandy brought home 2 pigs with the thought of starting a very small hobby farm. However, they soon realized that there was an abundance of abused, neglected and unwanted farm animals out there that also needed to heal, with no place to go.
In honor of Ethan, that little piece of land in Hastings became Sunshine Farm Animal Rescue, a place for pigs and goats and sheep and horses and other animals of all sizes and needs to find healing and a safe place to land. Sometimes permanently, other times until they can be adopted into new homes.
But it doesn't stop there. Sunshine Farm has held several Special Helpers classes for children and adults with different abilities so they can get hands on learning about basic animal care and experience working with the animals on the farm, while being part of a welcoming and accepting community. Their hope is to be able to expand this part of Sunshine Farm.
Santa Paws loves all creatures great and small and gets very upset when any animal is abused or neglected. This year, in support of their large animal friends, festive dogs in sweaters and scarves will be smiling for the camera and for the memory of a very special dog lover who was the inspiration for Sunshine Farm.
Please share and help spread the word that Santa Paws and the entire Elf Team are coming to town! Come with or without a pet to grab a wag bag for your four legged elf and see all of the little Barry County movie stars shine.
Please join us on Saturday, December 7th to support the people and animals of Sunshine Farm!
