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Date: 6/25/2021
WESTFIELD – Whip City Animal Sanctuary provides a home for unwanted, abused and neglected animals which have tugged on the heartstrings of the community since the sanctuary opened its barn doors to the public last November.
The sanctuary, at 232 Montgomery Road, is owned by the Plourde family who runs it with help from donations.
Recently, Camp K-9 and Brothers Auto, both located on Union Street, partnered to host a fundraising car wash and presented $1,712 to Kerry Plourde June 14
“This is an amazing help,” said Plourde. “It’s very expensive to run.”
To continue to grow its savings to care for animals, and to expand, Whip City Animal Sanctuary is hosting its first golf tournament July 17 at East Mountain Country Club. Foursomes are needed and registration is $100 per person, including a cart and dinner. Deadline is June 25.
Plourde said sponsorships are still available and players are needed. For an application or questions, email whttygre65@yahoo.com or call 413-627-6192. Golf starts at 1 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m.
The animals are well worth the expense, Plourde said.
There are currently 25 animals, and they require a lot of work, love and money. Plourde said the donation from Camp K-9 and Brothers Auto will allow for some “breathing room” when it comes to expenses.
“We have not been able to save up ‘a kitty’ so this will really help,” he said. “It can be very expensive to care for animals but when we need a veterinarian, we call the vet.”
Plourde said he recently spent about $10,000 caring for one animal who came to them in need of medical attention.
The Whip City Sanctuary is a place for wayward farm animals and includes a beloved cow named Teddy, a turkey named Tom, a horse named Molly and her new calf, Reed, named for the former farm owner, and several goats, horses, a rooster and pigs. Plourde said the newest addition is a pot-bellied pig originally name Bruschetta, now called Chutey.
The Plourdes’ love of animals quickly spread to the community once they opened to the public. Each Saturday from 12-2 p.m. visitors are welcome to meet the animals and make some new furry, fuzzy and even feathered friends. There is no cost to visit and donations are accepted.
When Camp K-9 owner Ali Connor heard about the Whip City Animal Sanctuary from a customer, she had to check it out
“We went twice with my children and they loved it,” said Connor. “From one animal business to another, I wanted to do something.
Connor approached her landlord, Alan Figueroa owns the Camp K-9 building and Brothers Auto next door.
“We decided to have a car wash and he was able to get a sponsorship from NAP.” The two business owners also matched the car wash proceeds, resulting in a $1,712 donation to the sanctuary.
Plourde said between donations and volunteers – who can be any age – the farm has become part of the community. Volunteers are always needed and perform farm chores such as feeding animals, cleaning stalls, bathing and brushing animals and more. Anyone wishing to learn more about volunteering should sent a message via the Whip City Animal Sanctuary Facebook page.