KUNA, Idaho — On Sunday, people flocked to Dominifarm Animal Sanctuary's third annual holiday event in Kuna — complete with dressed-up animals, Santa and many smiles.
"It's our way to say thank you to the community for supporting us," founder Dominique Delobbe said. "To see a smile on a child, you know, makes us happy and makes a huge difference for us.”
The animal sanctuary became a nonprofit in 2021 after Delobbe realized they needed outside help to address the growing need.
Delobbe said during COVID-19, many people got animals but soon realized they could not care for them long-term.
During COVID, [people] wanted to be self-sufficient," she said. "Then they had to go back to work, and they couldn't keep the animals anymore."
In addition, Delobbe said they rescue animals that have been abused. Currently, the sanctuary has about 45 mammals and 30 birds.
Most of the sanctuary's animals are older. Delobbe said when they get a new animal, it stays there for the rest of their lives.
The animals are taken care of by the sanctuary's roughly 50 volunteers. Sara Meyrovich said she helps at the sanctuary two times a week for feeding shifts and farm maintenance.
"We feed all the animals; we redo all the waters; we make sure the houses and everything are nice and clean for them nice and warm for the winter, adding extra straw, and then just any, maintenance that needs to be done around the farm," Meyrovich said.
She said a lot of people do not realize there is a growing number of farm animals around the Treasure Valley that need rescuing.
"There's such a need for farm sanctuaries," Meyrovich said. "We get calls every week for animals needing homes, and unfortunately, we're full at the moment. Also, coming here, it just gives people that connection to nature and to animals that so many people have lost."
Delobbe said they are happy to teach people how to care for their farm animals property. The sanctuary also always needs more volunteers. The hope is that some volunteers might open farm animal sanctuaries of their own.
"We wish they were more sanctuary's like ours because there is a huge demand," Delobbe said.
Autumn Dunn brought her daughter to Sunday's holiday event. Dunn, who lives in Caldwell, said she plans on volunteering.
"It's the most wholesome experience because you get to see the animals thriving," Dunn said. "You get to teach your kids what it looks like when the animals are happy or taken care of, and, you know, I need my daughter to learn so we can be hands-on in the future with more animals.”
Community members can tour the sanctuary on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Delobbe said they typically plan four big annual events: December's holiday party, an Easter party, a bake sale and a yard sale.
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