"Man's highest duty is to protect animals from cruelty " - Emile Zola

Culley farms was created with this quote etched in our minds.  We started off as children, with a love and desire to nurture pets. Well into adulthood we found ourselves evolving into a sanctuary...for all of God's creatures that passed our way...in need of something more, love, compassion, rehabilitation and mostly just being someone to want them. Our vision was and still very much is, to provide love and care for every animal until their last days....and we wanted their lives to have purpose, bringing the diversity of meeting "different" and "special" animals for the enjoyment of children and adults alike.  

We also all know the phrase "when it rains it pours".  And let me tell you, we found this out recently.

For those that aren't familiar with us...we have a very lovable assortment of pets, remembering as children how exciting it was too visit the zoo and see these amazing animals interacting with each other and sometimes us!  It was definitely ranked "favorite field trip ever"!  But my husband and I took it a step further.  Being visitors was great, but raising our children with animals was definitely something they needed to experience.  This would provide them with lifes hardest subjects to master like empathy, responsibility, compassion and teaching them love isn't just for friends and families, but every living being.  Life lessons that sometimes only animals can teach.  

Recently the "rain" came tumbling down upon us.  We all know that a flat tire can ruin your day really quick!  Unfortunately, this flat tire would flip our entire world.

While in the middle of a transport with the animals, the trailer they were secured in had a flat.  My husband made numerous phone calls and no one could assist him.  He did what he felt was the quickest path to get our animals back on the road safely.  He found a shady area to park and left the animals to get the tire fixed and immediately came back.  Only when he arrived, a passerby noticed the animals and assumed they were "abandoned".  They contacted the local police and from there other agencies to assist our pets were called in.  My husband returned promptly, but there were people "demanding justice" for our animals. They had removed some animals, and two of our precious hand raised bunnies were  drenched in cold water and placed in cold air conditioning rapidly decreasing their body temperatures before the  101.3 temperature they should have.  The stress of this sudden change in body temp killed them.  We are thankful everyone tried their best, but their actions in "saving these pets", is why they succumbed.  However, we were the easiest scape goat.  Bunnies get stressed rapidly...especially when covered in frigid water.  By the time my husband arrived, it was too late.  Next the authorities contacted a rescue and they were kind enough to come immediately to get our babies to safety.  In the aftermath, we had a home inspection.  We welcomed them in and we're very open to suggestions and help they offered.  This family of pets is a 24/7 never ending commitment.  There are no weekends away, or vacations.  The animal services that arrived were quite concerned with one of our horses health.  She was dropped off and abandoned on our farm by someone that couldn't afford to feed her, she was in sad shape when we first saw her.  With rigorous feeding scheduled, specialized horse feed, lots of one on one bonding and tending to her medical needs she improved so much...in such a short time!  However she is an old lady, and she doesn't gain weight as rapidly as a young horse and she still isn't at an ideal weight.  Looking back on things we wish we had chronicled every step we've done for her, so everyone could see the vast improvement.  

Animal services also recommended that we secure more shelters for the animals.  Something we've continuously worked on.  They did complain that the head on the property was grown up....but...our property is maintained, it isn't pristine, we are busy tending to animals day and night, and we also have animals that enjoy the little bugs in the tall grass (think cricket m&ms)and our grazers...enjoy nibbling on the tall grasses and finding the perfect patches to feast on.  (Multi-acre fresh salad bar anyone?)  We make sure all the animals have a diverse menu of not only grasses, hay, and yummy bugs to devour (chickens and ducks)  but we make sure they have fresh fruits and vegetables...sweet feed and supplements...sometimes I think they eat better than we do!

We are so appreciative of the concern everyone has for the safety and well being of our pets.  They truly are our life.  We can tell you silly stories about each one, their favorite foods, how they got their names, and why they are so special to us.  But one thing we can't do is stand by while some try to make an example out of our situation.  Multiple animals in a trailer for any amount of time will lead to pooping.  (We haven't quite mastered any of them with potty training)  We call this...normal.  We clean and clean and clean...but it's never enough.  It's much better than a commercial chicken house where the animals eat and defecate in the same spot for weeks at a time, or commercial hog farms where they are trapped in a metal cage and forced to give birth in filth and the babies are injured daily, or farms where illegal fighting of animals takes place.  We love and protect our animals, we do everything in our power to do so.  It's very unfair to expect animals to be squeaky clean at all times.  They poop, and aside from cleaning it up, there isn't much else you can do.  It was never claimed that there were inches of waste and the animals were living in squalor.  Because that isn't true.  We are very open to anyone that wants to assist with building larger and better structures for our animals.  We are a family owned business, not a huge operation with lots of resources and employees.  We are relieved to know that there are people, police, rescues and agencies advocating for all animals, and we are very open to receiving their help....but our animals aren't abused or neglected, we feel that more effort should be placed in helping those animals than pets that are cared for and loved.  

We ask that you please sign this petition to help us bring home the rest of our family of pets.  They need to be back in their familiar homes with the people they have bonded with and cared for since we acquired them.  We miss them so very much!  And we're doing everything we can to bring them safely home!