March Mayhem: Storms and Second Chances

Hey there, human friends! It’s Samson, your favorite miniature donkey, bringing you this month’s updates Straight from the Rescues’ Mouths. Buckle up—this one’s a doozy!

When the Storm Came Roaring In…

Let me tell you, folks, yesterday’s storm was no joke. The wind howled, the rain poured, and when the dust settled—our shelter was gone. That’s right. Huckleberry and I stood there in shock, ears twitching, as we stared at the wreckage. Our pipe rail fencing? Bent and battered. Our cozy shelter? Reduced to a sad pile of wood. It was a tough hit for us, but thankfully, all the rescue animals made it through safe and sound inside the barn!

Now, the humans are scrambling to clean up and rebuild, but it's no easy task. We know they do everything they can for us, but the truth is, they weren’t prepared for this level of damage. If you’ve ever wanted to lend a hoof (or a hand), now’s the time! Every little bit helps get us back on our feet—er, hooves!

Spring is in the Air… Kinda?

March is supposed to mean sunshine and warm breezes, right? Nope—it’s March Madness! I say it every year… Tornadoes one day, snow the next. And this time, Mother Nature really outdid herself—60 degrees one day, then freezing the next!

We don’t know whether to shed our winter fluff or keep it. The chickens are downright confused, the goats are grumbling (as usual), and the horses can’t decide if they should roll in the mud or brace against the wind. It’s a wild ride, folks—hold onto your hooves!

But despite the chilly start, we know spring means new life, fresh grass (yum!), and longer days to soak up the sunshine. We can’t wait for those warm, lazy afternoons to return!

Exciting News: Our Barn Cat Program Opens May 1st!

Got a rodent problem? Need a hard-working, no-nonsense kitty to patrol your barn, shed, or property? Well, you’re in luck! Our Barn Cat Program officially opens on May 1st, and now is the time to get on our waiting list!

How It Works:

🐾 Email us at office@illinoishorserescue.org with how many barn cats you’re looking to adopt.

🐾 Minimum of two if you don’t already have working cats—they do best with a buddy!

🐾 We’ll add you to the waiting list. When one of the five rescues we work with has cats needing barn homes, we’ll arrange for you to pick up your new feline workers from us!

A tabby cat sits on the seat of a dusty machine soaking up the sun.

We already know at least 10 barn cats will be looking for homes at the beginning of May, so don’t wait! If you need a loyal, low-maintenance mouser, get on the list today!

These cats may not be the snuggly house pet type, but they are excellent workers who deserve a second chance at life in a safe and caring barn home. Help us help them—while they help you keep those pesky rodents in check!

📩 Email us now to reserve your future barn cat crew!

Until Next Time…

Whew! That was a lot of news, huh? March has been a whirlwind—literally! Between storm damage, unpredictable weather, and the excitement of our Barn Cat Program, there’s never a dull moment around here.

As always, thank you for being part of our rescue family. Whether you’re donating, adopting, volunteering, or just cheering us on, we couldn’t do this without you. Huckleberry and I are crossing our hooves that next month brings warmer weather, a new shelter over our heads, and maybe a little less chaos.

Until next time—stay safe, stay kind, and if you see Mother Nature, tell her to calm down!

Your favorite miniature donkey,🐴 Samson