Once a year the artists of Blue Whole Gallery come together to support a local non-profit through the sale of their artwork. The gallery is excited to announce this year’s recipient, Lilly’s Safe Haven. Located on five acres in Sequim, Lilly’s Safe Haven is a farm animal rescue and sanctuary specializing in mostly small animals such as roosters, rabbits, ducks, lambs, sheep, goats and turkeys.
Lilly’s Safe Haven was founded in 2020 by Shayna and Kristen Robnett. Lilly, a sheep, was their first rescue and is the namesake of their 501 3(C) non-profit. Since then, they have rescued many different farm animals. One of their favorite are lambs. After receiving lambs that are just days old, the lambs become permanent members of the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. Lilly’s is associated with a 20 sanctuary system operating from here to Northern California. When an animal comes to them that is too large or out of their expertise, the other sanctuaries step in, moving the animal to a different location.
Occasionally one of Lilly’s rehabilitated animals is adopted out to a private home where the owners share the same values as the sanctuary.
Not long into the founding of the sanctuary, the pair began to pick up “dumped” roosters around the county. “People get chicks in the spring not realizing that one or more of them are roosters which can be quite noisy,” explains Shayna.
“People just dump the roosters out into the environment where they are not equipped to survive.” Currently, Lilly’s is at maximum capacity with 40 roosters, 6 goats, 13 sheep, 2 lambs, 2 turkeys, 3 Muscovy ducks and 6 bunnies.
The sanctuary works with two local vets, Gray Wolf Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Melissa Board, to get and keep their charges well.
It takes a lot of time and money to support this effort. Kristen works outside of the sanctuary to support their personal requirements. Shayna, the director of Lilly’s, is full time at the sanctuary. She is also a talented artist who is a member of Blue Whole Gallery and can be found at the gallery twice a month working behind the counter. Occasionally, she has a little straw in her hair!
Gallery artists have been busy painting and creating pieces of work for “A Little Art Goes a Long Way.” The windows and gallery will be full of farm animals for the month of March, and proceeds from selected pieces will be donated to Lilly’s Safe Haven.
Individual donations directly to Lilly’s’ will also be accepted through the month. Shayna has promised to bring Russell, the rooster, to First Friday for all to meet.
Great pictures, hope it all goes well and we can make a bit of money for Lilly ‘s Safe Haven!!