Animal sanctuary seeks help, funds for new venture

MANATEE COUNTY — East County animal rescue Napier’s Log Cabin Horse & Animal Sanctuary may have found a permanent place for its rescued horses, but the organization now is struggling to get that home ready for operation.

After the group learned several weeks ago it was losing its lease at Bowman Ranch off Verna Road, it has been able to purchase a 16-acre parcel in Myakka.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the cost for getting water and electric turned on,” said Alan Napier, who runs the not-for-profit with his wife, Sheree, and their children. “It’s over $2,000 to get the electric turned on and $6,000 to get a well in. Right now, I’m taking 55-gallon drums over to give water to the horses. There’s no way I could haul that much water on a daily basis.”

The Napiers are in need of donations to help pay for the project, which is essential for moving all the horses on to the property, Alan Napier said. The family also needs chain-link, privacy and horse fencing, fence posts, roofing materials, feed and other materials.

Currently, the Napiers have taken a few of the horses to the new site, but most remain at Bowman Ranch property in Sarasota, where the animals have been housed since last year and will remain until their new home is in working order. The Bowman Ranch property is shared with Ave Maria Preparatory School, a school dedicated to children with disabilities.

About seven weeks ago, the Napiers learned they will be losing their lease because Ave Maria plans to expand and has secured a long-term lease for the property.

Napier said he must have all the horses off the property by Sept. 1.

“We’re leaving as soon as we can,” he said. “But we can’t move the horses in until we get the well and electric in.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Pawtners in Need
In recent months, Napiers Log Cabin Horse & Animal Sanctuary launched the Pawtners in Need” program as a way to help Manatee County’s Humane Society move toward its goal of becoming a no-kill community.
Through the new program, Napiers can save dogs and cats that would be euthanized by matching them with an in-need senior citizen, veteran or child at no cost to the individual receiving the animal.

Donations
Cash donations, or gift cards to Walmart and Tractor Supply can be mailed to: Horse & Animal Sanctuary, 20010 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton, FL 34212. You also make a cash donations at any Bank of America in care of the Horse & Animal Sanctuary fundraiser account. Donations are accepted online at www.napierfamilyfarm.com.